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Meet Clay County’s dedicated Veteran Service Officer, Army Veteran, Keith Brandon. (Photo: Released)
Chickamauga, Georgia’s very own Keith Brandon is Clay County’s Veterans’ Services Officer, A.K.A., the VSO.
A 20-year career Army Veteran, Brandon has nearly 20 additional years of experience working with Veterans and their families in Putnam and Alachua counties, the City of Jacksonville Military Affairs Department, Florida Department of Corrections, and Career Source. He also participates in programs to assist homeless and incarcerated Veterans.
Brandon holds a Master’s in Business Management and Leadership and is credentialed with the Veterans Administration, Florida Department of Veterans Affairs, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Disabled American Veterans for Compensation and Pension Claims. He is also a certified Military Veterans Benefits Counselor and a National Career Coach.
Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners Mike Cella said, “Keith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Clay County and we are pleased to have him on board. We know he will provide an excellent level of service to local veterans and their dependents seeking assistance.”
With more than 30,000 Veterans that call Clay County “home,” the VSO is the critical link between Veterans and the government benefits they have earned through honorable military service to our country. The Clay County VSO’s primary focus is to advise, instruct, and counsel Veterans and their families of their earned benefits from the Veterans Administration and the Department of Defense.
The VSO serves as a liaison and advocate for local Veterans to help determine eligibility and apply for benefits including disability compensation, pension, insurance, education, job services, VA home loans, medical expenses, death, burial benefits, and much more.
Keith Brandon said, “The Veterans Benefits Administration is evolving and changing every day and navigating the VA claims system can be difficult, so I encourage all Clay County Veterans to contact me and let me help them through the process and keep them updated as services evolve.” Brandon added, “I have been a resident of Clay County for 23 years and I am humbled and honored to be able to serve local Veterans who have contributed so much to our community.”
The Rest of The Story. Born and raised near the Appalachian mountains in Chickamauga, Georgia, Brandon joined the Army at 18. During his 20 year career as an Army Infantryman, Brandon served in South Korea, Hawaii, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Georgia, as well as a wartime deployment during Desert Storm in 1991. When not serving Veterans, Brandon said, “I am into health and fitness and enjoy working out six days a week. I also enjoy cooking my own meals and like to find new recipes to try out at home.”
Having recently moved from the Clay County Administration building in Green Cove Springs, Brandon’s office is located at 420 College Drive, Suite 107 in Middleburg. Call him at (904) 529-4735 or (904) 284-6326. Email him at Keith.brandon@claycountygov.com, visit ClayCountyGov.Com/Community/Veterans-Services or follow at Facebook.Com/ClayCtyVeteransServices.