Veteran Grateful for Support after Two Decades of Service
Space Force and Air Force veteran Scott Ginn is a planner. But he found that trying to map out his transition to civilian life after more than 20 years in the military was much harder than he had anticipated.
Scott and his wife, Michelle, knew they wanted to settle near Tampa, Florida, so their 10-year-old son, Trevor, and their 11-year-old daughter, Georgia, could grow up near Michelle’s parents.
He also needed time to figure out a new career, and they didn’t know where they would live.
After weighing options – including living temporarily in a hotel or with family – the Ginns found a better housing opportunity on Operation Homefront’s website.
They were familiar with the nonprofit because they had participated in its Holiday Meals for Military and Back-to-School Brigade® programs. When they investigated programs related to housing or transitioning families, they found the Transitional Homes for Veterans (THV) program. It was perfect for their situation.
“This is the cornerstone of our transition. Without this program we would have been 10 steps behind.” – Scott Ginn, Space Force and Air Force veteran
Scott and Michelle applied and were accepted into a Wesley Chapel, Florida, home made possible through the generosity of the A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation.
Through the program, veterans who are within three years of discharge can live rent-free for two to three years as they build savings, reduce debt, and become established in careers and the community.
The Ginns have specific goals they hope the program can help them achieve, such as preparing for homeownership, purchasing a second car, and establishing an emergency fund.
“We have spent the past 15 years sacrificing many luxuries to create a solid financial foundation with no outstanding debt but are struggling to get to the big milestone of home ownership,” Scott said. “Participating in this program and benefiting from the guidance and support would be instrumental in helping us pursue our most significant financial goals.”
Scott entered the military in 2003 after changes in the IT field made it more difficult for him to land a job with self-taught skills and no college degree. Requirements changed after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and most government IT contractors had to meet high security standards.
He enlisted in the Air Force after talking to a friend who also in the military. Scott wanted to do something important and felt a calling to do more, and he felt the military would help him grow up.
The Air Force opened new avenues for Scott. He thrived in his new environment, first working as an aircraft electrician and eventually transferring into space operations. He was among the first transfers into the Space Force when it was established in 2019.
Scott deployed once to Kyrgyzstan in 2005 and to Qatar in 2015.
He and Michelle met through a mutual friend at a comedy club in 2006. They married eight months later, and she embarked on the life of a military spouse. They became used to the changes of station every three years, and their children have the resiliency often found in those of military families.
After more than two decades, while living in the Washington, D.C., area, the couple realized they were nearing the end of their time in the military. The kids were getting older as were Michelle’s parents in Florida. She wanted her children to spend more time with their grandparents.
Scott retired as a master sergeant in August 2023.
The transition from military to civilian was unexpectedly abrupt for the Ginns. Michelle, who has a master’s degree in education, hoped to continue homeschooling the children, and Scott didn’t want to rush into a new career.
Michelle and Scott had already planned their move – including a contingency for living in a hotel if needed – when they applied for the THV program.
“I think it was two weeks before the movers were set to arrive, we got the call about the house in Wesley Chapel,” Michelle said. “We were going no matter what, but it would have been so much harder.”
The home has been perfect for the family, especially because it is one level. Their daughter has a pain condition that can lead to difficulty going up stairs. Because cold weather can also exacerbate her condition, the warm Florida climate is beneficial, too.
“This is the cornerstone of our transition,” Scott said. “Without this program, we would have been 10 steps behind, likely burning through the military retirement and needing loans.”
Scott has been an ardent unofficial spokesperson for the program, telling other military families who may be transitioning about Operation Homefront and THV. They have also mentioned it to neighbors, who have been supportive and welcoming.
“I’m speechless over being in this home,” Michelle said. “We prominently display the sponsor’s plaque because it’s such a cool story. It’s a huge deal to us.”
“This isn’t just about us,” Scott added. “We want to be good stewards of the home and the program for the people who come after us, too.”
Operation Homefront currently has 38 houses in its THV program, and 21 families have graduated since the program began in 2018.
