Riverside County Veterans Court

01/18/2026

Command Sergeant Major Greg Coker at November 2025 graduation.

08/06/2024

05/20/2024

This is one of my favorite quotes from "Scars & Strife." Yes, it is a negative comment on our US military adventures. We invade countries, then we have an obligation to put them back together. Though the US does a consistently bad job in Nation building, we consistently give it another go. Many vets suffered extreme depression when we handed Afghanistan back to the Taliban.

As for Iraq? With Iran's ever increasing influence in that country, how can we claim "victory?"

I have no doubt 20 years from now, America will launch another war ro
liberate" a people. And so many more kids will die, all in the name of protecting American interests 8,000 miles from home.

$judge4vets

04/20/2024

Connect with people you trust. Dial the crisis line at 988, then press 1. Or text 838255 .

04/20/2024

Had a great time at my retirement party with fellow military writer John McBrearty, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and combat veteran. He's written 7 books, all related to military service. His latest book, "Army Values," should be required reading at our service academies and other military training schools. Check out his work! https://lnkd.in/gscpkyGB

04/18/2024

I even have my granddaughter, JuliAnn, selling my book.

04/13/2024

I love service dogs. They were always welcome in my courtroom, whether they had paperwork or not. The model is my great friend and therapy dog, Buddy. I lost him in 2020.

04/11/2024

I AM LOOKING FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS STARTING IN MAY. Yes, I want to pitch my book, but the bulk of what I discuss will be veterans court and the healing of war-damaged vets. I am a retired Colonel, an Iraq War Veteran and a retired Superior Court Judge. I served 28 years in uniform and 15 as a judge.

As a Judge, I developed; and, for eight years, presided over the Riverside County Veterans Court. That was the best job I ever held because I was working with the people I cared about: our military and veterans. I enjoy presenting on the Veterans Court to educate the public on what it offers. Our Vet Court has helped hundreds of veterans facing criminal charges and struggling with PTSD, major depression and the other “invisible wounds of war.” I have spoken well over 100 times about my experiences presiding over the court

Most of the veterans who stood before me in court did well. They healed. At 13%, our recidivism rate was low. What the justice-involved veterans needed was a place where they had a judge and supportive treatment professionals who understood their trauma. I did my best to give them that understanding. I understood that I was looking at one of my own, a person who was part of the one-half of one percent who serve in our military, brothers and sisters who believe in service.

I wrote, “Scars & Strife” about my experiences in the military and presiding over that court. While fiction, all of the trauma I describe happened to either me or one of the veterans in my courtroom. Hearing the stories of the veterans who stood before me greatly affected me. Some have healed from incredible trauma. I wrote my novel to thank all of these veterans and tell them how much I cared for them.

&strife

04/11/2024

My novel is being released May 21, 2024. Advanced purchases are available on Amazon and Barnes and Nobel.

04/09/2024

This is my proposed/new business card. I wanted something simple and that reflected my logo and contact information. I am curious about your thoughts. Any input will be greatly appreciated. I am new at this.

04/02/2024

04/02/2024

I am with Eric Perez, a graduate of our Veterans Court program. Perez is now a successful Hollywood screenwriter. US Special Ops troops carried out the rescue.