Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America fights on behalf of the post-9/11 generation of veterans.
IAVA increases awareness in the media, among the American public, and in Washington to ensure that the voices of our newest generation of veterans are heard and listened to.
What is IAVA’s Cavalry?
Meet the veterans who are leading our movement.
Meet the CavalryWhile the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) delivers care that often meets or exceeds private-sector standards, veterans continue to face systemic barriers including fragmented care under expanded community care programs, inconsistent access to mental health services, persistent suicide risk, especially among younger and women veterans, disability claims backlogs and outdated IT systems, and uneven implementation of toxic exposure benefits under the PACT Act.
Veterans demonstrate strong employment and homeownership rates overall, yet significant disparities persist—particularly for women veterans, veterans of color, disabled veterans, and single-parent households.
Supporting Afghan allies is both a moral obligation and a national security imperative. The unfinished evacuation and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) backlog have left tens of thousands in limbo, while veterans report deep moral injury tied to perceived abandonment of wartime partners.
Women are the fastest-growing segment of the veteran population, yet persistent inequities remain in health care access, claims processing, and research inclusion. Ongoing gaps include inconsistent access to reproductive health services, high denial rates for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) claims, infrastructure deficiencies at VA facilities, a lack of menopause and aging research, and geographic and racial disparities in care.
Veterans consistently express concern about democratic institutions, voting access, misinformation, and preservation of civil rights. For veterans, democracy is not abstract—it is tied directly to the oath they swore to defend the Constitution.
Veterans aren’t a charity. They’re an investment. Donate to help empower IAVA veterans and ensure their voices are heard.
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