Name:  William “Bill” Ott

Branch: USAF

Years Served: 1988-2020, all AD

Rank: AB-TSgt, then 2Lt-LtCol

Military Occupation: Aircraft Maintenace & Acquisitions

Hometown: Kathleen, GA

Twitter Handle: TBD

Tell us a little about you outside of the military:

• Father of 4, step-father to another 4, working full-time as a Project Manager for a DoD affiliated software company. 
• Enjoying life with my wife, travel, sports (pickleball for sure) and helping shape the future of the young-adults in my life. 
• Hobbies/passions include cars, traveling, (pickleball again) and advocating for change.

Why are you joining the IAVA Cavalry?

• I have time now in my life as a military retiree to properly devote to causes I believe in.  I have been a member of IAVA for a very long time, and as a veteran who served in both Iraq & Afghanistan, I feel a sense of obligation to affect change where I can within our current political climate.

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

• I am beyond grateful for the opportunities the military gave me to grow personally and professionally.  I would not be where I am today without that opportunity. 
• That said, the actions of our elected officials post 9/11 have forever shaped my mind and thought process forever.  What I see military members and families go through due to how the US invaded Iraq & Afghanistan deserves some level of my ability to give.

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

• Hard for me to choose, so it’s probably a tie for the Need to Repeal or Reform AUMF & having our veterans backs with the repeal of Dobbs v. Jackson.
• The lack of proper political debate and oversight necessary to avoid unwarranted use of military lives & resources is beyond necessary.  The worst decisions made are ones based on emotion, and that is what happened in 2001/2002. Hundreds of thousands of American lives were forever changed from the invasion of Iraq & Afghanistan. Trillions of dollars thrown away for what? The repeal of Dobbs v. Jackson needs to take into account service members who do not have a legal means of relocation to be able to have the access to women’s health care based on law.  It is totally ridiculous to play such politics with servicemembers.

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

• See above.