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Opinion   

Solving the Riddle of Veteran Unemployment
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on June 22 2012

“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans were treated and appreciated by their nation.”Those words may seem contemporary, but they’re not. It’s a quote from our first President, George Washington. His words may be from another era, but the applicability of them is just as true today as it was in his time. Maybe even more so.And we’re failing at it.

IAVA Honors Military Spouses
Posted by Blake Henderson on May 11 2012

Service members enlist. Their families are drafted.The entire IAVA family is proud to celebrate Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Celebrated the Friday before Mother's Day since 1984, our country takes this day to acknowledge and thank military spouses for the sacrifices that they make.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Five
Posted by John McGlothlin on April 2 2012

Earlier this year, thirty or so soldiers sat in a classroom in Vicenza, Italy on their way out of the Army. Collectively, this group spent over fifty years deployed, but we wouldn’t even spend a full week on preparing for civilian life, as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) had been cut from the full five days into just over three. Jill Casey, our remarkable instructor, was professional about her disappointment in this, but she was clearly concerned about the cuts it forced her to make.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Four
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 29 2012

A large sign at the end of the hallway reads “I Hire Veterans.” I don’t need a job, but I needed to know which senator in the Hart Office Building had decided to make such a visible statement of support on the issue that was driving our Storm the Hill program. It turned out that the sign, with the silhouettes of a saluting man and woman, took up most of the window at the entrance of Sen. Joe Manchin from West Virginia.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Three
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 28 2012

Team Golf walked all over Capitol Hill on Tuesday, the first full day of Storm the Hill, holding meetings in both the House and Senate and with Republicans and Democrats alike. The conversations included the staff of legislators and, in two cases, the legislators themselves. It was a refreshing contrast to some of the frustrations from the previous day and was a valuable opportunity to shine a light on veterans’ problems and the legislation that could fix them.

26 vets vs. 12,000 lobbyists? It’s time to level the playing field.
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on March 28 2012

There are 12,000 lobbyists in Washington. They represent anything and everything from big tobacco to Styrofoam. And they have Congress’ ear every day of the year. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have that kind of political pull. And neither does our veterans’ community – even though they deserve it. That’s why, this week, IAVA is storming Capitol Hill.

Journal of a Stormer: Day Two
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 27 2012

When someone in the military notices a problem, they come up with a solution. If necessary, they present this solution to their boss. One of three things then happens:1. The plan gets approved. 2. The plan gets changed. 3. The plan gets scrapped because the boss is fine with the status quo.In politics, there is a fourth option:4. The plan gets obscured/debated/conflated/submerged in larger maneuvering based on party, fundraising, and other things that are unrelated to whether the problem needs solving.

Journal of a Stormer: Day One
Posted by John McGlothlin on March 26 2012

It’s not in a veteran’s nature to talk about himself. In the Army, at least the parts of it where I spent the last nine years, you don’t tell people about who you are - you show them through the quality of your work. Unfortunately, when you only have half an hour (or half a minute) with a busy legislator, there isn’t time to let a lesson sink in slowly – you need to get right to the point. And that means being direct about your story and the stories of those you served with.

How to Stereotype our Military as Drunken Beggars: A Case Study in #MediaFail by Dr. Drew
Posted by Paul Rieckhoff on March 22 2012

On Monday night, Dr. Drew did us all a big favor. He covered the Kandahar shooting incident on his HLN cable show in such a sensationalized way, that it should serve as a powerful example for how the media should NOT cover an issue – particularly one as devastating as this.

Intern with IAVA this Summer 2012
Posted by Michael Houston on March 21 2012

Applications for IAVA’s 2012 Summer Internship Program are now closed.  Thank you to all who applied.  Within the next few weeks, we will release the names of those who will be joining us for the summer.

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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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