Luis “Carlos” Peña

Branch: Marine Corp and Army Reserves
Years Served: 21
Rank: E-5 Marine Corp/E-7 Army
Military Occupation: Infantry 0311/TOW Gunner 0352/ 38B Civil Affairs
Twitter Handle: TBD

Tell us a little about you outside of the military: 

• • I have completed an associate degree in Computer Aided Drafting from Amarillo College and a B.A.A.S. in Public Administration with a minor in management from West Texas A&M University. I am working on a graduate certificate in the Department of Homeland Security, emphasizing emergency management from Texas A&M University. I have sat on the board of directors for the Texas Panhandle War Memorial (TPWM) for 4 years. We preserve the military history of service members for the 26 counties that support us by educating and holding events that express our support to our service branches, veterans, and Gold Start Families. Serve as a member of the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA), Vets Helping Vets, for about 6 years. A community of combat veterans brought together to coordinate, support, and help fellow veterans around our community.

Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry? 

• • This is an opportunity to bring issues that affect our veterans in rural areas to policymakers. I seek clarification and help guide policy toward better supporting our veterans across the U.S. Seek citizenship for veterans who have deployed, assist in medical policy that gives veterans in rural areas better medical aid options, and provide veterans with educational benefits with more options. Be an advocate for veteran equality.

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

• • I enjoyed the opportunity to be part of a team that takes care of each other and would lay down their lives for you if needed. My military service provided me with the experience of protecting and preserving life and property. This continued within me upon leaving my military career. Due to veteran groups, my transition to civilian life was made easier knowing I had them in my corner. Veteran organizations like CVMA, VFW, IAVA, and local non-profit veteran-based organizations are a great asset to veterans across the US. These groups are the caregivers and support for veterans in rural areas.

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

• • VA health benefits are limited in rural areas. Numerous medical facilities do not accept VA Tri-Care due to the time they spend paying out the cost. Medical facilities would rather turn away a veteran than to put in the time it takes to process a Tri-care bill to the VA.
• • Tri-Care should be an example of how the US treats and helps its veterans. Why can’t Tri-Care be a medical insurance that is accepted in many medical establishments? It should be rated and accepted in a variety of medical facilities that accept Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, and/or Aetna.
  • Our elderly veterans should not be seeking alternative medical insurance because their rural medical establishments don’t take Tri-Care.  Healthcare providers should provide elderly care for the ones that live at home.

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

• • Veterans becoming citizens. I served with a veteran who deployed to Iraq in 2005. He proudly served the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. He served for approximately 12 years and deployed to a combat zone. He is going to be 50 years old and has not been given his citizenship, nor has he been able to vote in any elections. But, our government will bring undocumented foreigners and process illegals to become U.S. citizens. Who conducted their background check, verified their previous address, and what process did they go through? All the while, we have veterans who deployed to combat zones, served proudly in one of our branches, and gave their lives so others can survive, but yet are not able to become U.S. citizens to vote in local, state, and federal elections.