Katie Bishop

• Branch: USMC
• Years Served: 2007-2011
• Rank: CPL
• Military Occupation: 5528 – Musician, Bassoonist
• Twitter Handle: @principlesbk

Tell us a little about you outside of the military:

After enlisting in the Marine Corps as a musician in 2007, I served at Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany in southwest Georgia. Post-service, I pursued a music career, moving to Portland, OR, for my Bachelor’s of Music and later to Queens for a master’s in music theory and composition at CUNY Queens College. After graduating, I moved to Brooklyn and worked as a barista. Following a layoff during the pandemic, I decided to start my own café in Gowanus, which I opened in June 2022. Outside of work, I collect coins and ride fixed-gear bikes year-round.

Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry?

I joined the IAVA Cavalry on the recommendation of my friend Kristen Rouse. Upon learning about the program, I felt it was a perfect fit for my skills and passion for activism and political engagement.

How did your military experience shape you to be the person you are today?

The Marine Corps instilled in me a strong sense of determination and perseverance. It taught me to be stubborn and resolute in getting things done, embodying an ethos of never surrendering and never quitting.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you believe is the most pressing? Why?

I believe modernizing the VA and making it more inclusive and user-friendly for women, non-binary, trans, and all people who are not cisgender men is the most pressing. The VA is outdated and not very accommodating to diverse needs.

Which one of IAVA’s policy priorities do you have the strongest personal connection to? Why?

I have a strong personal connection to advocating for equitable access and representation for women at the VA. As a woman, this issue directly affects me, and I am committed to improving these conditions.