U.S. Army veteran continues serving through his work at MVAA

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LANSING, Mich. — A U.S. Army veteran who spent 25 years serving his country is continuing that mission of service through his work with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.

In the agency’s latest “Why We Serve” episode, MVAA highlights Richard Ochoa, a U.S. Army veteran and general office assistant in the agency’s Internal Operations division. The series shares the stories of MVAA employees, the work they do and what inspires them to serve Michigan veterans.

Ochoa’s military journey began when he was 17 years old in a small Pennsylvania town. Hoping to travel the world and eventually become a military chaplain, he persuaded his parents to allow him to join the Army Reserve between his junior and senior years of high school.

“I wanted to be a light in a dark world,” Ochoa said. “The chaplain I spoke with suggested I joined the military to really get an experience of what being a soldier is like.”

After basic training, Ochoa served with his unit’s military police company during the peacekeeping mission in Bosnia, where he led security and traffic-control efforts. He was promoted to corporal and ultimately rose to the rank of master sergeant.

“I like to tell people I never made Sergeant Major because I spoke my mind a little too much,” Ochoa said with a smile. “I was just proud to be seen and a trusted voice for my soldiers.”

One of Ochoa’s most painful memories from his service involved a close friend he met while deployed in Bosnia. The friend later received orders to Iraq while Ochoa deployed to Guantanamo Bay. Ochoa learned through an edition of Army Times that his friend had died during the deployment. “He was a great dude and I called him my brother from a different mother,” Ochoa reflected. “Maybe it was survivor’s guilt, but I couldn’t leave the service after that.” Ochoa went on to serve for 25 years, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, he is a husband, father and stepfather to six children and continues serving veterans through his work at MVAA.

At the agency, Ochoa supports Internal Operations through website expertise, data analysis, vehicle and equipment management and other duties. He also works with the Strategic Communications team to help connect Michigan veterans with resources and represents MVAA at Michigan National Guard events, where he networks with transitioning service members.

“As a veteran dealing with my own personal struggles, I like being able to inform other people and veterans that there are opportunities out there for you,” Ochoa said. “Part of why I continue to work with the MVAA is just having the ability to be an advocate for some of those mental health resources.”

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency is the state’s central coordinating agency for veteran support, care, advocacy and services. MVAA works to identify and break down barriers veterans face in employment, education, health care and quality of life. Source: Michigan Department of Military & Veterans Affairs / Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. For more information about MVAA, visit Michigan.gov/MVAA.