More Veterans Running for Public Office

I was talking to Jeff the other day about politics and how things have gotten so far out of hand.

Many people don’t know that presently there are the least number of veterans serving in Congress in the history of the United States. Veterans make up 20 % of the Senate and 19 % of the House of Representatives. Forty years ago, 81% of Senators and 75% of the House of Representatives were veterans serving in congress. In recent years politics has been something that a lot of veterans have steered clear of because of its toxicity and costs. I believe veterans can be good for politics because making rank in the military requires being a politician to a point. So many veterans, especially those who retire at higher ranks both enlisted and officer had no choice but to play politics to make rank.

Everyone in the military understands the need to work with, and respect each other who have differing views. I believe this is what’s lost on Congress today, the unwillingness to collaborate across party lines. Present politicians are not willing to work with anyone who is not in their party or follow their beliefs. This is detrimental to our country; we need people like veterans who know how to work with people they disagree with. Veterans know how to compromise and do what’s best for the country. Veterans know how to do what is right and follow through, veterans vowed to defend the constitution of the United States, with their lives. Veterans have proven their patriotism and know how to work hard and get things done. To veteran’s mission accomplishment comes first, regardless of the obstacles or operating environment. If nothing else military veterans are very resourceful, veterans can do absolutely anything with positively nothing. Someone needs to make things happen in politics, and I believe veterans can make that difference. I feel veterans need to support any veteran who decides to run for Congress or any public office for that matter. It doesn’t matter party affiliation, what matters supporting our fellow veterans and their political endeavors to keep the United States the greatest country in the world.

Why should we support veterans in politics? To start with, research suggests that veterans are more likely than non-veteran politicians to work with their colleagues across the aisle. Veterans often have a deeper appreciation of national security decisions. For example, research suggests that veterans in elected and appointed offices have historically had a significantly lower propensity to commit U.S. military forces to disputes overseas. Effective public service requires sacrifice, veterans have a proven history and willingness to serve something that is larger than themselves. Veterans have received some of the best exposure and leadership training through the military. Veterans know how to lead and get things done, just what we need, someone to make things happen.

According to With Honor there have been over 300 former service members running or have run for congress in this year’s primary’s and midterm elections. With Honor helps support veterans no matter the party the candidates are affiliated with. Veterans need to become more involved to make positive changes in the country, just the way they made positive changes to their troops and fellow service members lives. It will be hard to maintain veterans’ benefits with such a small voice in congress, veterans need to help increase the number of veterans representing the veteran and countries causes.

Please go check out this cross-partisan super pact called With Honor who is financially supporting some veterans seeking political careers.

For questions or comments, I can be reached at bo@afterdutyvets.com or visit our website at afterdutyvets.com.