WHAT: Defense One and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) are partnering for a one-day event, “The New Battleground: Veterans,” focusing on the future of vets in America. From issues at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to a public that still doesn’t completely understand what it means to be a veteran, ​this event will explore challenges and examine the way forward for the new greatest generation. Join us as we talk to experts, politicos, journalists and leaders about the critical challenges our veterans are facing.

Montel Williams, former television host of The Montel Williams Show and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, will be the keynote speaker for the event. Wrapping up the day will be the premiere viewing of award-winning journalist and CEO of Starfish Media Group Soledad O’Brien’s documentary, “The War Comes Home,” which follows the journeys of two young men who return home and the personal battles they must face to recover from the emotional effects of war.

Panel sessions include:

Veterans Care: Reforms for a 21st Century VA

Hiring Veterans: Deployed then Unemployed

22 a Day: Preventing Suicide Among Veterans

The 1 Percent: Bridging the Military-Civilian Divide

You can register here.

If you’re unable to attend the event, it will be livestreamed at DefenseOne.com.

WHO:

Paul Rieckhoff, Founder and CEO, IAVA
Kevin Baron, Executive Editor, Defense One
Montel Williams, Former Host of the The Montel Williams Show, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran
Sen. John Walsh, D-Mont., Former Adjutant General of the Montana National Guard
Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, D-Hawaii
Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, R-Ohio, House VA Committee member
Joseph Kernan, Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy, Ret.; Chairman, NS2 Serves; Vice President, Business Development, SAP National Security Services
Tom Tarantino, Chief Policy Officer, IAVA
Marine Cpl. Aaron Mankin, Veterans Advocate
Phillip Carter, Senior Fellow, Counsel and Director of the Military, Veterans, and Society Program, Center for a New American Society
David Wood, Senior Military Correspondent, The Huffington Post
Leo Shane, Congressional Reporter, Military Times
Mike Haynie, Executive Director, Institute for Veterans and Military Families, Syracuse University
Barbara Humpton, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Siemens Government Technologies
Zach Iscol, Founder and CEO, HirePurpose
Fred Wellman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, ScoutComms
Molly O’Toole, Political Reporter, Defense One
Mark Testoni, President, NS2 Serves; President and Chief Executive, SAP National Security Services
Constance Sayers Witherspoon​, President, Government Executive Media Group
Dr. William Nash, Psychiatrist, Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs
Alex Horton, Writer, former Digital Engagement Official, Department of Veterans Affairs
Mike Monroe, Division Administrator, Team Rubicon
Former Rep. Patrick Murphy, MSNBC host of “Taking the Hill”
Stephanie Gaskell, Deputy Editor, Defense One

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

Registration at 7:15 am EST

Event from 7:45 am – 1:30 pm EST

WHERE:

National Press Club – Ballroom 529

14th St. NW, 13th Floor

Washington, DC 20045