Military Connection: New Initiative to Promote Veterans’ Rights

On March 19, 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the creation of the “Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative.”

The DOJ’s commitment to service members and Veterans was explained in both a video and on the DOJ blog. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, “Although we can never hope to repay the debt of gratitude our nation owes the heroes who serve or have served in the Armed Forces, we must never forget to acknowledge what we owe.” The DOJ, being firmly committed to acknowledging that debt, created the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative.

The sacrifices of the men and women who serve in uniform go beyond the courageous acts of battlefield valor. The truth of the matter is that service members face constant challenges when exercising their civil rights and maintaining their families’ financial security. It is for this reason that the DOJ prioritizes enforcing the statutes specifically created to protect the civilian employment rights, voting rights, and financial security of those serving in the Armed Forces.

The challenges don’t stop when a service member separates from the Armed Forces. For example, as many as twenty percent of our nation’s Post-9/11 Veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or other mental health problems connected to their service. It is for this reason that the DOJ supports Veterans’ Treatment Courts, which promote sobriety, recovery, and stability for Veterans struggling with addiction or mental illness who have become involved in the criminal justice system.

The “Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative” will reinforce the importance of recognizing Veteran sacrifices and the critical work that the department has already started to promote service members and Veterans rights. The initiative’s initial focus will be on three areas: enforcement, education, and access to justice.

The initiative is to be led by three dedicated career DOJ attorneys who have strong ties to the Veteran and military communities. Their task will be to further the existing efforts within the DOJ by coordinating and expanding enforcement, outreach, and training efforts on behalf of service members, Veterans, and their families.

For more information about the DOJ’s “Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative” please visit www.justice.gov or email your questions or concerns to servicemembers@usdoj.gov

Military Connection proudly serves those who serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Guard and Reserve, Veterans and their Families. We are the go to site for Veteran Employment and information on Veteran education. Militaryconnection.com provides Veterans with and Directory of Employers, a Job Board, information on the Post-9/11 GI Bill, and a blog that offers Veterans boundless information. Be sure to visit Militaryconnection.com, the go to site.