Opinion

Military Sexual Trauma: We're confronting a broken system
Posted by Derek Bennett on June 14

The outrage to the growing crisis of sexual assaults in the military has been swift and consistent - from the Commander-in-Chief to top military leaders to members of both parties in Congress to veterans and those who support them.What is not uniform is how we reverse an alarming and growing trend and support victims of sexual assault in the military.

Spotlight On: IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley
Posted by Mina on June 7

This month, the spotlight is on IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley. He used the New GI Bill to finance his master's degree in counseling and put that education to work at his "Hooves for Heroes" program, which provides equine therapy to vets with PTSD. Here's the story from Jeff:

Excel Institute Scholarship Program
Posted by Laura Slusarczyk on June 3

IAVA & RAINN: Working Together to Assist Military Sexual Assault Survivors
Posted by Jason Hansman on June 1

24/7 Support: Call 877-995-5247 or visit safehelpline.org While treatment for military sexual assault is a long road and takes time, we at IAVA wanted to share some information, available resources and support networks for survivors of military sexual trauma.

VA Officials Testify Before Congress on the Budget
Posted by IAVA Staff on April 19 2013

Over the past week, the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), General Eric Shinseki, testified before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees to discuss the VA’s budget request for the 2014 fiscal year and its advanced appropriations request for 2015. As expected, there was a strong focus on the VA’s disability claims backlog crisis at both hearings.

Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade
Posted by Anthony Pike on December 19 2012

On Saturday, December 15, the Windy City came together for their Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade. The parade was designed to be able to properly welcome home Iraq vets while showing our continued support for the brave men and women still deployed to Afghanistan. This particular date was chosen because it was the first anniversary of the end of the Iraq war. IAVA members activated to march in the parade alongside Gold Star Families, Illinois National Guard units and other veteran organizations.

The season of service is not just for vets
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on December 13 2012

For thousands of veterans across America, life during the holidays is going to be tough this year.After fighting for our country in Iraq and Afghanistan, they’re coming home to high unemployment rates and a broken VA system. They’re dealing with physical and emotional injuries unprecedented in complication – from traumatic brain injuries to genital reconstruction. They’re worried about their friends who are struggling to sleep at night and not getting the care they need fast enough. They’re waiting months, sometimes years, to get the benefits they deserve.

My Story: Marching towards the South Pole
Posted by Nick Colgin on November 16 2012

Four years ago this month, I experienced my first post-military Veterans Day. I was only a few months removed from Afghanistan, where I’d served as a medic with the 82d Airborne for 15 months. I was still suffering severe symptoms of a TBI experienced from the blast of an RPG off the side of my Humvee.

The War Against Suicide
Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2012

Across America, 2.5 million Americans have stepped up to serve in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Small towns and big cities alike have sent their men and women overseas. As in all wars, some don't make it home.

They Know the Way Forward
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on November 12 2012

There are news cycles and then there are news cycles. From Hurricane Sandy to the 2012 Election, the past few days have felt like a marathon to many Americans. (Thankfully not like the New York City one , which was wisely cancelled to commit resources to hurricane recovery efforts.) But as both President Obama and Governor Romney said on Tuesday night in their respective speeches, it’s time to move forward and concentrate on what can be done now. And it starts with honoring our military vets on Veterans Day.

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Success Stories

IAVA has helped thousands of veterans. Here are some of their stories:

Meet the Press: The War's Toll on U.S. Troops

On Sunday, March 18th, IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff and…
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IAVA Helps President Unveil Veterans Jobs Initiative

On August 5th, IAVA Member Veterans joined President Obama at the Navy Yard…
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Opinion

Military Sexual Trauma: We're confronting a broken system Posted by Derek Bennett on June 14

Spotlight On: IAVA Leadership Fellow Jeff Hensley Posted by Mina on June 7

Excel Institute Scholarship Program Posted by Laura Slusarczyk on June 3

IAVA & RAINN: Working Together to Assist Military Sexual Assault Survivors Posted by Jason Hansman on June 1

VA Officials Testify Before Congress on the Budget Posted by IAVA Staff on April 19 2013

Chicago Welcomes Home the Heroes Parade Posted by Anthony Pike on December 19 2012

The season of service is not just for vets Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on December 13 2012

My Story: Marching towards the South Pole Posted by Nick Colgin on November 16 2012

The War Against Suicide Posted by Tom Tarantino on November 16 2012

They Know the Way Forward Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on November 12 2012