IAVA in the News: Paul Rieckhoff

San Diego 6: IAVA Bringing Together Veterans

This segment highlights IAVA's West Coast Tour, including a membership event in San Diego. IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff discusses the organization's work on behalf of the newest generation of veterans.

Rieckhoff discusses 'The Hurt Locker'

March 5

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff discusses the inaccuracies of the film 'The Hurt Locker,' describing what the films captures, and what it ultimately fails to provide viewers, and the military community.

To read Paul's recent piece on the film, click here.

CNN: Veterans Fight for Care and Benefits

February 26

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined CNN for the recurring feature “Broken Government.” Rieckhoff used the platform to spotlight a number of areas where the Department of Veterans Affairs is not meeting veterans’ needs. At the top of the list is the backlog of nearly one million disability claims in the outdated, paper-based disability claims system. Rieckhoff called for the VA to use more innovation and tap America’s top companies to better serve America’s veterans.

CBS: IAVA Highlights Challenges Facing Female Veterans

February 22

A segment on CBS Evening News focused on the challenges facing female veterans, including a rise in homelessness. The segment features IAVA Member Veteran Angela Peacock and highlights data from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America issue report, "Women Warriors: Supporting She 'Who Has Borne the Battle," which details the unique and urgent service and homecoming challenges facing female troops and veterans. IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff asserts a central factor that leads to homelessness may be untreated injuries, including PTSD.

CNN: Veterans 'storm' Capitol Hill in blizzard

February 12

CNN reported, despite the major snowstorm that had paralyzed most of D.C., IAVA continued take its Storm the Hill campaign directly to members of Congress and administration officials to push for veterans' rights. Click here to read the entire article.

MSNBC: Schultz Highlights 'Storm The Hill,' Needs of Veterans

February 4

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joins MSNBC's "The Ed Show" to discuss Storm the Hill 2010, an annual trip that brings dozens of IAVA veterans to meet with key policymakers in the Department of Defense, VA, and legislative and executive branches. Rieckhoff, highlights this year’s top legislative priority—reforming the outdated VA disability claims process.

MSNBC: Maddow Highlights IAVA Concern

January 25

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow quoted IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff during her assessment of the shortcomings with the implementation of the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Maddow cited recent news that almost 90 percent of veterans calling the VA’s education benefits call center were never connected to an operator and spotlighted IAVA’s concern over this latest news. See the full clip below.

MSNBC: Rieckhoff Calls for More Veterans Support

December 17

As the first of 30,000 surge troops arrive in Afghanistan, IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff joined MSNBC's "The Ed Show" to express continued concern about President Obama's missed opportunity to galvanize Americans in support of our veterans. Rieckhoff also stressed that veterans deserve the spotlight every day as veterans continue to confront a number of issues, including Post-9/11 GI Bill delays for education benefits.

CNN: Rieckhoff Spotlights Needs of Veterans in Response to Afghan Troop Surge

December 2

IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff shared his thoughts on President Obama's speech about Afghanistan with CNN Newsroom. In the segment, Rieckhoff expressed concern over the fact that the 40-minute speech did not include a single reference to the needs of veterans.

CNN: Rieckhoff Discusses Impact of Afghan Plan on Vets