While the return to civilian life after the military should be as smooth as possible, Justine Fraley has found some cracks in the system. For the past ten years, she has been offering help to veterans and newly transitioning service members who have experienced similar hurdles, ranging from Career Pathing to locating and preparing evidence for VA Claims.
“I had a traumatic brain injury from a bad reaction to the Anthrax shot when I was in the Navy.” Fraley says, “My VA claim was denied for almost 10 years, even though I was experiencing symptoms and thought the evidence was sufficient. After finally getting approved, I learned a lot through that process with the VA about the nuances in providing evidence. It seems simple, but it can be complex.”
Learning from her experience, she found a way to give back to service members. “I had helped a service member who was retiring. He needed help with his VA compensation claim. I sat down with him for an hour. I said, ‘If you’re a GWOT vet, the Global War on Terrorism, and you joined in the early 2000s, your medical records are in three different places. When you joined, you had paper records, then moved to another system called TRICARE online. Then they went to another system called MHS Genesis. You might have a valid claim, but if you can’t find the right evidence, you’re going to get caught up.”
After their meeting, this veteran told Fraley that he learned more in an hour with her than in the transition class.
“He was able to get his full disability right away. It was a huge win for him, knowing that he’s not going to have to keep going in and fighting for a claim because he got all the right parts that he needed.”
Calling Coronado home
Fraley first visited Coronado while on active duty in the Navy in 2008. She returned a few times before making it her permanent home. “My husband and I served on three deployments together while we were dating. After I got out of the Navy and we married, we were stationed in Lemoore, CA, and Fallon, NV, before finally getting to San Diego. The moment we got here, I felt like Coronado was similar to my hometown of Steamboat, Colorado.”
She describes both towns as destination locations and a great place to raise a family. “I love the small town community, and I love the lifestyle. Island life is a lot slower pace than in the city, and I love running into people I know. I really wanted to live in a close-knit community.”
Justine and her family lived in Strand housing from 2016 to 2023, then her husband received orders to Maryland for two years. “Now we’re back!” she says. “We’re planning on being here until my husband retires and my kids graduate high school. Hopefully, we’re here for good.”
Leadership coaching for veterans
In alignment with her post-service career, Fraley remains very involved with the military. “I serve military veterans in the community and nationally in areas such as mindset, resilience, and healing. Being a voice for veterans is near and dear to my heart.” Working as a leadership development coach during the day, and helping veterans at night and on the weekends, she shares that she has been able to blend both worlds in a way that is very rewarding for her.
“I’ve worked one-on-one with people who are transitioning out of the service, or have been out for a while, and whether they are struggling with career problems, transitioning pains, and post-service life in general. People who feel ‘I know who I was when I was a service member, but now I had this big plan to get out of the Navy and do this job, and now I’m in this job, and I don’t think this is for me, or where I want to go.’”
Fraley can relate to not knowing off the bat what the next career looks like. “My career path wasn’t linear. That’s where I give a lot of people advice. I was previously in the Navy, Aviation Mechanic on F-18s, and when I got out, I used the first part of my GI Bill to attend cosmetology school. I was an aesthetician for three years.” While a path she enjoyed, as a military spouse, it wasn’t sustainable. “I built up my clientele, and I had a great business going and a great career, then my husband got orders. I had this reality check that this isn’t a job that I can pick up and take with me. Every time I move, I’m going to have to start all over again.”
When considering other options, leadership coaching came to mind. “I spent a lot of time thinking about what I struggled with in the Navy, and a lot of my pains as a young sailor was a lack of leadership skills, not to anybody’s fault, but that was the reality of the pain I was experiencing. I went to Chapman University and earned my degree in Organizational Leadership.”
Simon Leadership Alliance and the 2025 Veteran Leaders of Influence
After Justine began pursuing this path, she found Simon Leadership Alliance. “Almost right afterwards, I met Mitch, who’s the owner of the Simon Leadership Alliance,” Fraley says. “For the past seven years I’ve been working with him and I’ve helped him with companies across San Diego and nationally ever since. Together, they help companies create high performance teams through a mix of Ontological Coaching, Leadership Development and Executive Coaching. Through their retreats, workshops, and leadership development programs, they help leaders strengthen their emotional intelligence and increase their leadership results through developing a new language and mindset. Their work is about understanding how to deepen professional relationships at work in a way that balances creating a great culture with getting results.
When she was nominated for the 2025 San Diego Business Journal Veteran Leaders of Influence, she was flattered. “It wasn’t anything I expected. I have no idea who nominated me. But I think it was a fellow veteran who nominated me, and I know my work with veterans has been my personal blend and approach through all of my acquired experience.”
Building a life in Coronado
Since returning to Coronado in August, Fraley has been on a mission. “I’ve been exploring all the nonprofits and spending a little time in each to see where I’m ready to dive in.” In addition to joining an already established organization, she can also see herself starting something new.
“I want to give back to the Military and Veteran community and teach everything I know on the volunteer level. I would love to find a space or non profit to operate through that has a classroom so I can teach everything I know to help not just veterans but also active-duty families, as I have experience on both sides.”
While she’s figuring out where her talents and passions align, she’s also been co-leading Girl Scout Troop 6532, which currently comprises sixth graders. This troop is new, and instead of the traditional two leaders, all parents pitch in to make it a unique experience for the girls. If you have a sixth grader interested, please reach out to Fraley at 970-846-3948.
You can often find Justine walking down the Strand State Beach. “I’m a country girl, but at the beach, I enjoy the solitude; I like to watch the wildlife, enjoy moments of mindfulness, and reflect on the beauty this amazing place has to offer. Even in moments of sadness, like when we watch my husband’s ship sail away, my girls and I sit there and find so much to be thankful for.”
If you or someone you know can benefit from Fraley’s experience, please reach out. “It’s all about service. I’m here to help. If people need to reach me, they can. If there’s anybody transitioning or retired who needs some help, I’d really love to help them out. It’s important to know that although you might not have the answers, we can take a journey together and discover the answers together.”
