Jeff Buck

Name: Jeff Buck
City/State: Mount Olive, AL
Branch of Service: Army
Dates of Service: 2001-2010
Last Rank Held: E4
Military Occupation: 42A – Human Resources Specialist
Current Occupation: Senior Director of Compensation
X: @the_jeff_buck
Instagram: the.jeff.buck
Facebook: jeffrey.b.buck

Jeff outside of the military:

Married since 2011 and have two sons. I love my professional career and am a member of many Veteran Service Organizations both locally and nationally. I am passionate about helping Veterans continue on a strong path after the military, particularly those that were lower-enlisted when they separated.

Jeff on joining the IAVA Cavalry:

I’ve lived the experiences that so many post-9/11 Veterans struggle with — from being deployed, losing friends, filing VA claims, and using the GI Bill. IAVA not only advocates for Veterans at the national level, but also builds real community and connection at the state and local levels.

How the military experience affected Jeff’s personal growth:

The military showed me how to be resilient and have discipline which helps me show up even through chaos or uncertainty. Even though I was a Specialist when I separated, I had a clear path forward and knew both personally and professionally what I wanted to do but there are so many Veterans that do not. I’ve since taken on leadership roles in the civilian world, supported my family, and found ways to give back to other Veterans. None of that would’ve happened without the perspective my experiences in the Army gave me.

IAVA’s policy priorities that are the most pressing:

Burn pit exposure, mental health access, and post-service transition support are absolutely critical right now. The full impact of toxic exposure is still being understood, and it’s devastating Veterans and their families. But just as urgent is making sure Veterans, especially lower-enlisted, have the tools and support to succeed when they separate — whether that’s through GI Bill improvements, better employment support, or addressing the mental health crisis that too many face in silence. IAVA has been a consistent voice on these fronts and has done a lot of work already but we need to keep the foot on the pedal.

IAVA’s policy priorities with the strongest personal connection for Jeff:

Alternative Therapies — because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to treating Veterans. Traditional mental health care treatment is important, but for many of us, it’s only a piece of the puzzle. Alternative therapies offer something different: they treat both the mental and physical aspects of trauma, and often come with far fewer side effects than standard pharmaceuticals. Veterans need to be given more options that just pills and therapy.