Watch: UCLA's Daniel Martin helps fellow veterans understand ‘what you are is far and away enough’

Imagine for a moment that you've learned you are receiving an award for your outreach work to small groups of veterans. Then imagine getting that recognition at the Rose Bowl - in front of 53,000 cheering fans at a UCLA football game.

That was one of the ways Daniel Martin, a graduate of the UCLA Extension Veterans Success Academy, was celebrated last November for his 2025 UCLA Veteran of the Year award.

"I would like to think that I was picked as Veteran of the Year because they think I'm good-looking," he said with a big laugh. "I think a lot of it has to do with the Success Academy and the people we've touched. I would hope that's why."

Martin was a member of the academy's first graduating class in 2019; the academy is a partnership between UCLA Extension, the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and UCLA Veterans Initiatives and Partnerships. Like many veterans, he encountered difficulties in the decades after leaving active duty. The Success Academy provides communication and teamwork skills training to job-seeking veterans - and Martin relays his life experiences as a frequent guest speaker.

Read more about Martin's journey, military service and the inspiring message he has for fellow veterans.