S.Hrg.119-190

1[Senate Hearing 119-190]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-19056                           A GRATEFUL NATION:7               MAXIMIZING VETERANS' SUCCESS AFTER SERVICE89=======================================================================1011                                HEARING1213                               BEFORE THE1415                     COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS16                          UNITED STATES SENATE1718                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS1920                             FIRST SESSION2122                               __________2324                            NOVEMBER 5, 20252526                               __________2728       Printed for the use of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs2930               [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3132        Available via the World Wide Web: http://www.govinfo.gov3334                               ______3536                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE373861-879 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20263940                 SENATE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS' AFFAIRS4142                     Jerry Moran, Kansas, Chairman4344John Boozman, Arkansas               Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut,45Bill Cassidy, Louisiana                  Ranking Member46Thom Tillis, North Carolina          Patty Murray, Washington47Dan Sullivan, Alaska                 Bernard Sanders, Vermont48Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee          Mazie K. Hirono, Hawaii49Kevin Cramer, North Dakota           Margaret Wood Hassan, New50Tommy Tuberville, Alabama                Hampshire51Jim Banks, Indiana                   Angus S. King, Jr., Maine52Tim Sheehy, Montana                  Tammy Duckworth, Illinois53                                     Ruben Gallego, Arizona54                                     Elissa Slotkin, Michigan5556                     David Shearman, Staff Director57                Tony McClain, Democratic Staff Director5859                            C O N T E N T S6061                              ----------6263                            November 5, 20256465                                SENATORS6667                                                                   Page68Hon. Jerry Moran, Chairman, U.S. Senator from Kansas.............     169Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, U.S. Senator from70  Connecticut....................................................     271Hon. Tim Sheehy, U.S. Senator from Montana.......................    1872Hon. Patty Murray, U.S. Senator from Washington..................    2073Hon. Margaret Wood Hassan, U.S. Senator from New Hampshire.......    2274Hon. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Senator from Louisiana...................    2475Hon. Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator from Maine.................    2676Hon. Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Senator from Michigan..................    2877Hon. Jim Banks, U.S. Senator from Indiana........................    307879                               WITNESSES8081Jason Galui, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), Director,82  Veterans and Military Families, George W. Bush Institute.......     48384Mike Hutchings, Chief Executive Officer, Combined Arms...........     58586Barbara E. Carson, Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Air Force Reserve,87  Managing Director of Programs and Services, D'Aniello Institute88  for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University......     78990Jared Lyon, National President and Chief Executive Officer,91  Student Veterans of America....................................     99293Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior Vice President, Hiring Our Heroes, U.S.94  Chamber of Commerce Foundation.................................    119596Holly Hermes, Liaison for Veteran and Military Affairs, Yale97  University.....................................................    129899                                APPENDIX100                          Prepared Statements101102Jason Galui, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Ret.), Director,103  Veterans and Military Families, George W. Bush Institute.......    45104105Mike Hutchings, Chief Executive Officer, Combined Arms...........    52106107Barbara E. Carson, Colonel (Ret.), U.S. Air Force Reserve,108  Managing Director of Programs and Services, D'Aniello Institute109  for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University......    56110111Jared Lyon, National President and Chief Executive Officer,112  Student Veterans of America....................................    64113114Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior Vice President, Hiring Our Heroes, U.S.115  Chamber of Commerce Foundation.................................    72116117Holly Hermes, Liaison for Veteran and Military Affairs, Yale118  University.....................................................    84119120                        Questions for the Record121122George W. Bush Institute response to questions submitted by:123124  Hon. Bill Cassidy..............................................    91125  Hon. Mazie K. Hirono...........................................    96126127Combined Arms response to questions submitted by:128129  Hon. Mazie K. Hirono...........................................   102130131D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families response132  to questions submitted by:133134  Hon. Mazie K. Hirono...........................................   105135136Student Veterans of America response to questions submitted by:137138  Hon. Marsha Blackburn..........................................   110139140                       Statements for the Record14114250strong, Kandi Tillman, Co-Founder..............................   115143144American Corporate Partners (ACP), Sidney E. Goodfriend, Founder145  and Chairman...................................................   131146147American Veterans (AMVETS), Paul Shipley, National Commander.....   138148149Pew Research Center..............................................   146150151RAND, Carrie M. Farmer, Ph.D., Co-Director, RAND Epstein Family152  Veterans Policy Research Institute.............................   192153154Western Governors' Association, Jack Waldorf, Executive Director.   205155156                       Submissions for the Record157158Senator Jerry Moran159160  ``2025 Veterans Civic Health Index''...........................   213161162  ``The Military and Veterans Community Index 2025: Measuring163    Giving to Military- and Veteran-Serving Organizations''......   249164165  ``Thriving Beyond Service166  Strategic Philanthropy for the Military-To-Civilian167    Transition''.................................................   285168169Senator Richard Blumenthal170171  Stars and Stripes article ``More than 75,000 students affected172    by VA payment delays for education benefits''................   352173174  Military Times article ``VA tech glitch halts GI Bill payments175    to thousands, advocates say''................................   355176177                           A GRATEFUL NATION:178               MAXIMIZING VETERANS' SUCCESS AFTER SERVICE179180                              ----------181182                      WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025183184                                       U.S. Senate,185                            Committee on Veterans' Affairs,186                                                    Washington, DC.187    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 4:03 p.m., in188Room SD-G50, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Jerry Moran,189Chairman of the Committee, presiding.190191    Present: Senators Moran, Boozman, Cassidy, Blackburn,192Banks, Sheehy, Blumenthal, Murray, Hassan, King, and Slotkin.193194             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,195               CHAIRMAN, U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS196197    Chairman Moran. Good afternoon. The Committee will come to198order. I was looking at my opening statement with the intention199of shortening it, but I was discovering that the length of time200it was taking me to shorten the statement was utilizing up the201time that I would've saved.202    But I'm delighted that you're here. This is a bit of a203different hearing than this Committee has conducted in recent204past, and I'm very interested in what each of our witnesses205have to say and what conversations it may generate.206    The organizations that support veterans are broad, often207led by other veterans and their families. We often hear from208the Department of Veterans Affairs and the programs and209opportunities they provide to serve our Nation's veterans. And210today the focus is on the non-veteran administration side of211how we care for those that served our Nation.212    Each veteran is a significant asset for our country, hugely213important to their families and to their community in which214they live, and ultimately to the Nation. They demonstrated that215in their service. And every veteran is unique and different and216their needs are different, one from another.217    And so, what has arisen over a period of time in our218country is often other veterans, but certainly other citizens219who rise to the occasion to try to make sure that veterans220needs are being met. And I want to thank those who do that221every day. Individuals in Kansas and organizations in Kansas,222but across the country who see the needs of those who served223are cared for.224    Today's hearing recognizes that veterans are civic assets225and that their success after service is in our national226interest. Much of the support available to veterans comes from227non-governmental community resources, and today we're228discussing how those resources support veterans' success and229can better integrate with veteran programs such as what the230Department of Veterans Affairs provides.231    I'll introduce the witnesses after. I now turn to the232Ranking Member for his opening statement.233234         OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,235         RANKING MEMBER, U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT236237    Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for238holding this hearing and thank you to all of our witnesses, an239unusually large panel, but we appreciate every one of you.240    I want to thank particularly Holly Hermes, who is Yale241University's Liaison for Military Families and Veterans. This242office has enabled two of my sons who have attended Yale Law243School to go there with more aid and service and companionship244than they would've otherwise won. Marine Corps veteran who245served in Afghanistan, the other, a Navy SEAL veteran who246actually is there right now. I hope he's in class.247    I am really honored to serve as Ranking Member on this248Committee along with very distinguished colleagues. And let me249come right to the point. We're here because we need to assure250veterans that they have the information and services they need251when they go from military service to civilian life, often252continuing to serve our country.253    And I know about this transition because of my two sons,254and countless others whom I have watched and seen and sought to255mentor as they go through this sometimes very, very difficult256transition period when they need help from a VSO in filing a257disability claim or how best to use their earned education258benefits, connect with local employers or access assistance259when they need it most.260    And unfortunately, this Administration has increased the261difficulty of our veterans, not only in transitioning, but in262living through civilian life after they leave the military.263    All Americans are struggling with the increased costs of264rent, food, electricity, and yes, healthcare, most especially265healthcare insurance, which is why we as Democrats are standing266firm, that there has to be an extension of healthcare insurance267tax credits or subsidies, past the end of the year.268    And the Administration, rather than curbing costs for the269average American worker, including veterans, is prioritizing270historic cuts, and I mean unprecedented cuts in SNAP, Medicaid271and healthcare coverage.272    Americans often don't appreciate that veterans use these273programs and depend on them. More than 1.2 million veteran274households use SNAP. Yet this Administration refuses to fully275fund the program despite orders from courts that they do so.276There's no equivalent service like SNAP through the VA or any277other federal program to serve as a safety net. Meaning these278cuts have devastating impacts on veterans and their families.279    And at the same time, reductions in access to private280health insurance, Medicaid, and funding for community health281services, we all know about the clinics that exist in282communities with federal support, they will result in veterans283relying more on the VA for their healthcare and benefits.284Here's the startling number, up to 1.75 million veterans and285active-duty service member households rely on Medicaid. Let me286just give you that again, 1.75 million veterans and their287households rely on Medicaid, and that's nearly one in 10288veterans under the age of 65.289    Forty percent of them rely on Medicaid as their sole290coverage, often due to ineligibility for Medicare or VA291healthcare. Of the 10.3 million individuals who are likely to292lose Medicaid coverage because of the ``Great Big Beautiful293Bill'' which I call the ``Great Big Blatant Betrayal'', 267,000294are veterans. And meanwhile, many veterans who escape the295impacts of Medicaid cuts will instead lose their healthcare296access when ACA premium tax credits expire, making their297healthcare coverage unaffordable.298    Our veterans are suffering just as Americans are from299looking at the exchanges and the premium on open enrollment, as300we speak right now, at their kitchen tables, trying to figure301out how they're going to afford health insurance. And they302can't do it because premiums are doubling and tripling.303    Where are these veterans going to go? If eligible, they'll304go to the VA and we'll see a dramatically increased reliance on305VA healthcare, stretching the capacities of our docs, our306nurses, our VA facilities generally, which are already307suffering from cuts and furloughs unnecessarily imposed by this308Administration.309    Their increased reliance will come on the heels of310catastrophic and unnecessary cuts to VA's workforce and311resources by Secretary Collins. Cuts that have already eroded312the department's ability to support the needs of veterans and313according to the department's actuarial firm, for every 1314percent of increased reliance on VA healthcare, VA can expect315its cost to increase by 2.6 billion, 1 percent, 2.6 billion.316They don't have the money. Those costs have not been accounted317for in the department's funding requests or factored into318Secretary Collins plans for further cuts in VA resources.319    If veterans are not eligible for VA care, there's a real320fear that they will simply lose access to healthcare321completely. Our veterans losing access to healthcare seems322unacceptable to me, but it's going to happen. Given the323healthcare and cost of living crises in this country, the324services provided by the groups here today are more critical325than ever before, so I want to just thank you, every one of you326and your organizations for what you do.327    I look forward to hearing your insights and recommendations328on how we can make sure that veterans get what they need, what329they deserve, what we have promised them. Thank you.330    Chairman Moran. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. I now want331to introduce to the Committee those who are testifying today,332the first panels--the first witness panel is Colonel Jason333Galui, the Director of Veteran and Military Families of the334George W. Bush Institute; Mr. Mike Hutchings, Chief Executive335Officer, Combined Arms; Colonel Barbara Carson, Managing336Director of Programs and Services at D'Aniello Institute for337Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University; Mr.338Jared Lyon, the National President and Chief Executive Officer339of Student Veterans of America; Ms. Elizabeth O'Brien, Senior340Vice President of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundations for341Hiring Our Heroes; and Ms. Holly Hermes, Yale University342Liaison for Veterans and Military Affairs.343    Again, thank you all for being here, and Colonel, I now344recognize you for your testimony.345346STATEMENT OF JASON GALUI, LIEUTENANT COLONEL, U.S. ARMY (RET.),347   DIRECTOR, VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES, GEORGE W. BUSH348                           INSTITUTE349350    Colonel Galui. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Moran,351Ranking Member Blumenthal, and Members of the Committee, thank352you for the opportunity to testify today on behalf of the353George W. Bush Institute. I'm Jason Galui, the Director of the354Bush Institute's Veterans and Military Families team.355    At the Bush Institute, we believe that the Nation has a356duty to empower veterans and their families to thrive beyond357the uniform, so that we can, in the words of President George358W. Bush, ``Unleash the potential of a generation of359resourceful, determined, and experienced leaders.''360    Veterans can be strong civic assets who inspire others to361achieve common goals for a shared purpose. Veterans tend to362have good character, competence, and commitment, and thus can363earn the trust of--and lead--their fellow Americans. General364Dwight D. Eisenhower, as he approached his own retirement from365the U.S. Army, wrote that he ``faced a monumental career choice366with absolutely no experience in making career choices.''367    If soon-to-be President Eisenhower was concerned about his368transition, then we must expect that many transitioning service369members will be anxious about theirs. Veterans and their370families, like everyone else in society, thrive when they are371mentally and physically healthy, are well-informed and prepared372for navigating civilian life, and can make meaningful373contributions to their new communities.374    Therefore, at the Bush Institute, we focus on veteran375health and well-being, education, and employment. Thanks to376dedicated public and private efforts, there are tremendous377resources available for veterans and their families. However,378bureaucratic fragmentation and complex navigation can cloud the379learning about and accessing these resources.380    Fortunately, the unique entrepreneurial spirit of the381American people complements federal efforts to reintegrate382veterans and their families back into American civilian383society. The Veteran Wellness Alliance (VWA) is one example of384how public and private partners can achieve the best outcomes385for veterans and their families.386    Led by the Bush Institute, the VWA is a collaborative387network of mental and brain healthcare clinical providers,388including the VA, and veteran peer networks that together389tackle the effects of the invisible wounds of war.390    In 2021, the VWA launched Check-In, an innovative solution391that connects veterans, service members, and their families,392caregivers, and survivors to high quality mental and brain393healthcare regardless of service era and regardless of394characterization of service discharge. Check-In's novelty was395its creation of a trusted online ``easy button'' that peer396networks could provide to their members.397    Leveraging the power of innovation and technology, Check-In398solved the navigational and bureaucratic challenges associated399with searching for and connecting with the right type of care.400Given the many resources available, it can be paralyzing to401learn which resource is most appropriate to address the402challenge at hand. Check-In eliminates or at least reduces the403possibility of such paralysis with respect to mental and brain404healthcare.405    The VWA is a strong model for how public and private actors406can partner to achieve sustained success after service for407veterans and their families. Serving beyond the uniform,408forming genuine connections, and making meaningful409contributions are necessary components for sustained success.410    Discovering such opportunities is less clear in civilian411life than it is while in service, which can make the military-412to-civilian transition challenging. The sooner a veteran can413rediscover their purpose, their connections, and their414contributions, the more likely they and their family will415thrive in civilian life.416    It is not unreasonable to ask a transitioning service417member, ``what do you want to do when you get out of the418military? '' But that's an incomplete question. What a veteran419wants to do might not match what the civilian world needs from420that veteran. A more complete question a veteran could ask421themselves is, ``what do I have that the market needs? '' That422is, what does the veteran have in their talent set--their423skills, knowledge, attributes, experiences, and education--that424the labor market wants?425    Embedded in that framing is the fundamental labor supply-426labor demand match. The sustained success post-transition of427our veterans and military families directly affects military428readiness. When a service member's final experience in uniform,429their transition from it, is positive and enduring, then a new430veteran and their family will be great ambassadors for military431service and will be more likely to encourage others to serve.432    General George Washington was clear when he said, ``The433willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in434any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly435proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars436were treated and appreciated by their nation.''437    Maximizing sustained success for veterans and their438families post-military transition is, simply put, an enduring439vital U.S. national interest. Thank you again for this440opportunity to talk with you today about this all-important441national subject.442    I look forward to your questions.443444    [The prepared statement of Colonel Galui appears on pages44545-51 of the Appendix.]446447    Chairman Moran. Thank you very much. Mr. Hutchings.448449                  STATEMENT OF MIKE HUTCHINGS,450             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, COMBINED ARMS451452    Mr. Hutchings. Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal,453and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to454speak here today. I'm Mike Hutchings, and I serve as the Chief455Executive Officer of Combined Arms, a veteran-founded and456veteran-led nonprofit, dedicated to transforming how America457supports those who have served.458    Each year, about 200,000 service members transition from459military to civilian life. Behind that number are families.460There are parents, spouses, children who often find themselves461navigating a maze of agencies and organizations that were never462efficiently designed to work together.463    Veterans may face longer wait times, repetitive paperwork,464and a lack of coordination that too often may leave them465vulnerable. Ten years ago, almost to this day, Combined Arms466was created to change that. We have built a technology platform467that acts as a GPS for Veteran Services, connecting veterans,468service members and their families to the right local resources469in hours instead of months.470    We do not replace government systems. We complement them by471integrating federal, state, and community partners to close472what we call the delivery divide. Today, our network includes473more than 300 vetted partner organizations operating in all 50474states. Together we have connected over a 100,000 veterans and475families to critical support, and coordinated more than 175,000476referrals for things such as housing, employment, mental477healthcare, and financial assistance.478    These connections have generated over an estimated $603479million in taxpayer savings and economic impact, while reducing480the average wait time for help to just 26 hours across the481Nation. Our work has been recognized by the Milken Institute482and the American Enterprise Institute, as a national program of483record for veteran transition and reintegration. A bipartisan484acknowledgement that coordinated data-driven solutions can and485should be scaled nationwide.486    But we also recognize the challenge and oversaturated and487hyper fragmented landscape with nearly 45,000 nonprofits in the488veteran services space. Thousands of organizations want to help489but duplication slows progress. Combined Arms cuts through the490noise, veterans complete one intake. They tell their story once491and they receive access to multiple services quickly. Our492partners are held accountable for timely responses and outcome493reporting, ensuring closed loop results instead of open-ended494referrals.495    Across Texas and beyond, Combined Arms has become a vital496conduit connecting veterans and their families to life-changing497regional, state and federal resources, a proven model with more498than a hundred thousand success stories. So let me share a few.499    A U.S. Army Sergeant who was referred to NextOp and found500civilian employment in just 15 days. A mother of three, new to501Houston, found stability through our network, receiving housing502support, food and financial education through Family Houston503and other partners. And a Vietnam War veteran, once homeless,504found dignity and belonging after being placed in a Texas State505Veteran's Home through coordinated action with our state506partners.507    Even small moments show the power of collaboration. Like508the day a VA psychologist reached out to us for help, and a509veteran in crisis was connected to the Baker Ripley for housing510within hours, while that federal provider discovered new local511resources to help others.512    These stories aren't exceptions. They represent a513nationally replicable model of coordinated care when local,514state, and federal partners share information and act together,515veterans are met with dignity, stability, and hope, not516barriers and delay.517    Our veterans are not liabilities. They're leaders and518they're civic assets who vote, volunteer and build communities519at higher rates than the general public. When we invest in520their successful transition, we strengthen our workforce, we521strengthen our neighborhoods, and we strengthen our Nation.522    The covenant between our government and veterans is sacred,523but it cannot stand alone. Federal systems are vital, but they524cannot meet every need. Civil society must play a role. Take525for example the Bush Institute, our partners at this table who526alongside IVMF, Combined Arms, Wounded Warrior Project and a527mixture of best-in-class nonprofits healthcare institutions and528federal agencies, have built a connective tissue network for529veterans and their families to seek care. No one organization530can do this alone.531    Combined Arms shows that when innovation, data and532compassion come together, we can deliver real results faster,533smarter, and more human. Our organization stands ready to work534with this Committee, the VA and partners at every level of535government on bipartisan data-driven solutions that strengthen536the continuum of care for all those who have served.537    Thank you for the privilege to speak here today. It has538been an absolute honor and privilege. I look forward to your539questions.540541    [The prepared statement of Mr. Hutchings appears on pages54252-55 of the Appendix.]543544    Chairman Moran. Thank you very much. Colonel Carson.545546STATEMENT OF BARBARA E. CARSON, COLONEL (RET.), U.S. AIR FORCE547RESERVE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, D'ANIELLO548   INSTITUTE FOR VETERANS AND MILITARY FAMILIES AT SYRACUSE549                           UNIVERSITY550551    Colonel Carson. Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal552and Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to553appear before you today. I'm Barbara Carson, the daughter,554sister, mother of veterans, and a 30-year veteran myself.555    On behalf of the D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and556Military Families at Syracuse University, I'm honored to557discuss how we can ensure that every veteran, and family member558can thrive after service. The IVMF was founded in 2011 and has559served more than 230,000 people through programs in career560preparation, entrepreneurship, and community connection. Our561core belief is simple: When we get transition right, our562country is stronger.563    Each year, about 200,000 people leave active duty and data564from our collective and collaborative research with Blue Star565Families consistently shows that roughly half of veteran566respondents described their overall transition as difficult or567very difficult. Broader evidence repeatedly finds that568navigating the maze of programs and benefits can be569overwhelming.570    And while transitioning to civilian employment, veterans571and their families often must start over instead of building on572the skills and leadership experience that they gained during573service. That is why IVMF worked alongside communities to574launch the AmericaServes network back in 2015.575    AmericaServes is a coordinated referral network that helps576veterans and families connect to the right resources at the577right time. We grew this model across the country and today578many of those original AmericaServes communities are operating579independently while continuing to collaborate through IVMF's580community of practice.581    Through the community of practice, we regularly bring582together these local networks as well as nonprofit and state583leaders, many of whom are VA grantees of critical efforts like584the Staff Sergeant Fox Suicide Prevention Program. Together,585they share insights, exchange best practices, and strengthen586the depth and breadth of the resource networks that serve587veterans nationwide.588    In short, along with many others on this panel, we are589cultivating what RAND and others have called for; coordinated,590transparent and an accountable system. We can all commit to591doing the same for transition. How we design and manage these592systems matters. Evidence shows that success rates are far593higher when a veteran is guided by a trained navigator rather594than given simply a curated list of phone numbers.595    Looking at just the federal transition landscape, it's easy596to understand why the support of a trusted navigator is so597instrumental and why the need to monitor the process and598results is crucial. RAND and GAO identified 46 programs spread599across 12 agencies with the most funding concentrated in600education, beyond the GI Bill, and very little coordination or601oversight.602    The Veteran Metrics Initiative or TVMI, a comprehensive603longitudinal study led by Penn State University, found that two604thirds of post-9/11 veterans used at least one program after605leaving service, and those who used multiple programs had606better outcomes. Our research with VA has shown similar607outcomes for patients who seek non-VA services through formal608collaboration. In other words, connection and coordination609drive success. At IVMF, we've taken those lessons to heart.610    Earlier today, IVMF and Hiring Our Heroes, along with five611proven VSOs in the employment opportunity ecosystem, formally612committed to improving our collaboration. Together we'll613strengthen referrals and data sharing to better serve a614military-connected population and measure our collective615impact.616    We believe it is time to align our Nation's effort through617a national veteran strategy, a whole of nation framework that618includes federal, local, and state government, nonprofits,619philanthropy, and the private sector. Such a strategy would620establish shared outcome measures, better fund the evaluation621efforts, and support cross sector initiatives that improve622navigation and coordination.623    As part of this strategy, we reinforce RAND's624recommendation for more oversight and evaluation of transition625programs and encourage data transparency across agencies and626sectors. Oversight is not criticism, it is critical627stewardship.628    Veterans are assets to our economy, who bring talent,629discipline, and leadership to every industry. They're civic630leaders who strengthen the communities where they live. When we631measure results, share data, and work together, these assets632grow.633    We thank the Committee for your leadership, for your634continued commitment to those who serve. The D'Aniello IVMF635stands ready to partner with you, with federal agencies, and636with our colleagues across civil society to turn these637recommendations into meaningful outcomes. Together, we can638assure that every veteran and every family who served receives639the support that they earned and that a grateful nation truly640does maximize their success after service. Thank you.641642    [The prepared statement of Colonel Carson appears on pages64356-63 of the Appendix.]644645    Chairman Moran. Thank you. Mr. Lyon.646647STATEMENT OF JARED LYON, NATIONAL PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE648              OFFICER, STUDENT VETERANS OF AMERICA649650    Mr. Lyon. Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal,651Members of the Committee, thank you so much for this652opportunity to testify. As a Navy veteran and a student veteran653who has used earned benefits for an associate's, a bachelor's654and a master's degree, while also now in pursuit of a Ph.D.,655after my benefits have expired, I'm getting----656    Chairman Moran. Next time you testify Dr. Lyon, we will657look forward to that.658    [Laughter.]659    Mr. Lyon. As is everyone at Syracuse where I'm pursuing my660Ph.D. So, I now have the pleasure to lead Student Veterans of661America and we represent over 1600 campus chapters serving over662600,000 student veterans and military-connected students.663    SVA is where federal policy meets lived experience. VA and664DoD set the standard and we and our partners make it stick on665campuses, in classrooms and at the hiring threshold. We don't666replace the VA, we extend it through public-private667partnerships and philanthropy. We bring additional capacity at668no cost to taxpayers, to convert benefits into degrees,669careers, and community leadership.670    We see what aligned systems can deliver. At SVAs National671Conference this past January, alongside the Department of672Veterans Affairs and partners, including the Veterans of673Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion, and674the Vietnam Veterans of America, we offered a full-service675claims clinic that assisted over 400 veterans and family676members, and conducted nearly 200 onsite exams in a single677weekend. That's the public and private flywheel working.678Federal authority plus nonprofit and employer capacity679producing fast verifiable results.680    Today's hearing asks how a grateful nation maximizes681success after service. Give us the right tools and the public-682private flywheel will spin faster. We offer three low-cost683steps that this Committee can advance now.684    First, forecast the transition. Each year roughly 150,000685Americans leave active-duty military service. Most of them are686under the age of 35, many with or starting families. Yet,687campuses, employers, and veteran serving organizations plan688against imprecise estimates.689    You could direct DoD with the VA to publish annual690transition forecasts each summer by component, geography and691broad demographics. The data exists, organize and share them.692With a reliable forecast, the VA, nonprofits and employers can693pre-position advising, childcare, internships, and hiring694pipelines where they'll be needed most, turning taxpayers'695education investment into timely local action.696    Better forecasting data could also shorten the time for697filing critical shortage in the fields like nursing with698veteran talent. Through research funded by Google.org, we're699working with state and university leaders to reduce barriers to700education and enhance economic opportunity for veterans. Work701that better data coordination would strengthen even further.702    Second, connect that data. The DoD tracks separations and703training. VA tracks education benefits. The Department of704Education tracks enrollment. The Department of Labor tracks705earnings. These systems don't talk in real time. That leaves706Congress and VA flying partially blind on the outcomes.707    We recommend that VA lead an interagency transition data708taskforce with DoD, Ed, and Labor, to deliver within 12 months709a pilot that links one cohort separation data, GI Bill710enrollment, and early employment outcomes with a report back to711this Committee. Build it privacy first, consent-driven, so that712data follow the veteran. Connected dataset Congress oversee713impact. It lets VA tune programs and it lets nonprofits and714employers, like ours, target resources precisely so that every715public dollar works even harder.716    Third is to modernize the VA work study program. About717three quarters of student veterans work while they're enrolled718in college. Too often in jobs that are unrelated to their field719of study, slowing career momentum and weakening return on the720GI Bill.721    Update VA work study to, number one, align placements to a722veteran's degree field; two, allow at least halftime students723to participate and supporting veterans who are parents and724caregivers; three, digitized timekeeping; and four, pilot725targeted placements in shortage fields like healthcare,726education, cybersecurity and STEM, and related data skills.727    Veterans already bring advanced technical and analytical728training from their military service. With the right academic729pathways and paid work experiences, they can meet the national730demand for AI-literate talent and at every major industry as731well as the VA actually needs now.732    SVA is already working to meet these workforce shortages733with partners like the Independence Blue Cross Foundation,734expanding pipelines into nursing and Allied Health through735their service scholar's model. With better transition736forecasting, we can shorten the time to hire in critical fields737like nursing by advising critical placements and employer738demand ahead of military separation.739    And when VA enables career relevant paid work, SVAs career740center, made possible by the generous support by the Walt741Disney Company, and our employer partners can plug in742immediately, opening thousands of aligned roles so that743education translates into earnings faster, no nude entitlement,744just modernizing what taxpayers already fund for.745    Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to746your questions.747748    [The prepared statement of Mr. Lyon appears on pages 64-71749of the Appendix.]750751    Chairman Moran. Thank you. Ms. O'Brien.752753 STATEMENT OF ELIZABETH O'BRIEN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HIRING754        OUR HEROES, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION755756    Ms. O'Brien. Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, and757Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to758testify. My name is Elizabeth O'Brien, I am Senior Vice759President of Hiring Our Heroes, an initiative of the U.S.760Chamber of Commerce Foundation. I am also an active-duty spouse761for more than 20 years, during our Nation's longest conflict,762and the proud mom of a midshipman at the United States Naval763Academy.764    I have seen firsthand how critical it is that our Nation's765gratitude for service is translated into action. For more than766a decade, Hiring Our Heroes has helped transform how the767military community connects to meaningful careers. Working768directly on installations and through a national employer769network, we now serve more than 80,000 veterans, service770members and spouses each year, and over 1 million to date.771    A grateful nation maximizing veteran success after service772embodies the purpose behind our work, standing shoulder to773shoulder with the VA, to build innovative pathways that empower774veterans to thrive long after they hang up the uniform.775    That is why today we are sharing, we're so proud to be a776part of the newly formed Veteran Employment Collective, a bold777national coalition designed to transform how veterans and778military spouses navigate their career journey. The Collective779brings together the Nation's leading veteran and spouse serving780nonprofits, employers, and government partners around one781mission: ensuring every member of the military community has782access to meaningful career opportunities.783    It tackles a longstanding challenge, too many programs, too784little coordination, through a seamless referral and data785sharing system, a coordinated approach that removes duplication786and shared outcome-based metrics that demonstrate real impact.787Last year alone, Hiring Our Heroes made over 44,000 referrals788to partner organizations. The volume proves that structured789collaboration is not just beneficial, it's essential.790    The Collective founding partners are creating a ``no wrong791door'' network where veterans and spouses can access trusted,792high-quality support when they enter the system.793    For more than a decade, Hiring Our Heroes has operated one794of the Nation's largest and longest running SkillBridge795programs, the HOH Fellows Program. The 12-week internship796places transitioning service members directly into civilian797companies. Over the past five years, we have connected over79810,000 service members with 2,500 employers nationwide. Eighty-799eight percent of them receive job offers within three months of800completion.801    While we strengthen the ecosystem, we're also innovating at802the program level. This summer, in partnership with the Lowes803Foundation, we launched the HOH Skilled Trades Academy in804Jacksonville, North Carolina, at no cost to participants.805    The pilot is a six-week, hands-on training program for806transitioning service members, veterans and spouses. The first807class, eight veterans graduate next week. The pilot is the808foundation of a national model, and in 2026, we will add three809more Skilled Trades Academy, including one in the National810capital region, one near Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington811State, one in Phoenix, Arizona.812    These efforts align with federal policy under Public Law813119-21, and with more than 400,000 open manufacturing jobs as814well nationwide. Each program's desire to improve veterans'815financial wellness, while easing pressure on the VA to address816underemployment and homelessness.817    Finally, we must recognize a veteran's success is often818tied to the military spouse's opportunity. The Military Spouse819Career Accelerator Pilot (MSCAP), which Hiring Our Heroes820facilitated in partnership with the Department of War in821Deloitte, has become one of the most effective tools to closing822that gap.823    Since 2022 in December, more than 1,200 military spouses824have completed 12-week fellowships through MSCAP with an 86825percent job offer rate and more than half of the positions826remote or hybrid. This summer, the department announced a827strategic pause in placements as it transitions from pilot to828permanent program in 2026. We respect the process, but the829timing is difficult. In an environment of furloughs and830economic uncertainty, spouses who already faced unemployment at831six times higher than their civilian peers, need access today832to those opportunities, now more than ever.833    Chairman Moran, Ranking Member Blumenthal, Members of the834Committee, the Veteran Employment Collective, the HOH Skilled835Trades Academy and the MSCAP represent a whole of nation836approach to veteran and family success and lead to American837prosperity. We remain committed to leading this work with our838partners across every sector and building systems worthy of839those who serve.840    Thank you for the opportunity to testify and I look forward841to your questions.842843    [The prepared statement of Ms. O'Brien appears on pages 72-84483 of the Appendix.]845846    Chairman Moran. Thank you for your testimony. Ms. Hermes.847848  STATEMENT OF HOLLY HERMES, LIAISON FOR VETERAN AND MILITARY849                    AFFAIRS, YALE UNIVERSITY850851    Ms. Hermes. Thank you to Chairman Moran and Ranking Member852Blumenthal, and Members of the Committee for having me here853today. As an Air Force veteran and actively serving Reservist,854I'm deeply appreciative of the opportunities provided to me by855the Air Force Reserve, but I'm here today testifying solely in856my civilian capacity, as Yale University's Liaison for Veteran857and Military Affairs.858    I'm here to discuss veterans transitioning out of the859military and into higher education and to share Yale's860commitment to veterans and their families as well as our861partnerships with veterans service organizations. This overview862is not exhaustive, but it highlights common services that our863veterans frequently use.864    Student veterans at Yale College come from the enlisted865ranks. They may enroll as first year students, transfer866students, or in our Eli Whitney Students Program for non-867traditional students. Eli Whitney students take the same in-868person classes as other undergraduates and have access to the869same majors, faculty, instructors and advisors, extracurricular870activities, research opportunities, and international871experiences.872    The program's flexibility allows students to enroll in873courses full- or part-time, and its advisors have experienced874guiding adult students. In 2017, Yale College had 17 veterans.875Today we have 58 student veterans from every branch of service,876including our first Space Force veteran. This almost fourfold877increase in eight years is due to Yale's partnership with878organizations that support veterans preparing for and applying879to college, and Yale's deep commitment for making education880accessible and affordable for all veterans.881    Yale College continues to meet 100 percent of financial882need for all students. As a result, 100 percent of our883undergraduate student veterans attend Yale at little or no884cost. Veterans are not required to use VA benefits before885accessing Yale's financial aid, and many students choose to886utilize Yale's financial aid, so they may preserve their VA887benefits for future studies or transfer them to eligible888dependents.889    All 14 of Yale schools participate in the Yellow Ribbon890Program. The following services support veterans to and through891Yale. The Warrior-Scholar Project was started by a Yale Eli892Whitney student 15 years ago, and in partnerships with colleges893nationwide, provides intensive one-week academic bootcamps for894enlisted transitioning service members.895    Having taught at this program at Yale, I can tell you from896personal experience, that this program gives enlisted veterans897the confidence to know they have the skills to succeed at a898school like Yale. Once students have the desire to attend a899highly competitive institution, they turn to Service to School,900a nonprofit organization that provides free college application901counseling to military veterans and service members.902    Students also come to Yale through the research experience903for veteran undergraduates, a nine-week summer program where904enlisted veterans conduct STEM research and build skills to905become research scientists. Yale Veteran and Military Affairs,906serves as an umbrella program to support students, faculty,907staff, and alumni, and to assist veterans in accessing services908and resources both internal and external to Yale.909    We have permanent space, co-located with our Office of910Student Accessibility Services, to offer events, programs and911disability accommodations that support our students. Our912student veterans have access to VA medical facility in913neighboring West Haven, as well as the Yale Health Plan. Yale914Mental Health and Counseling is an additional benefit that915offers students a wide range of urgent and long-term services.916    One of the toughest parts of leaving the service is leaving917a closed team of colleagues who are intent on working toward a918collective mission. We are committed to bringing together the919broader Yale veteran and military community, to support each920other and build camaraderie. Yale has an active veteran alumni921group, an employee group, and offers multiple options to earn a922commission.923    Currently, we have over a hundred students working toward924the commission into five branches of the U.S. military. Yale925has been teaching and preparing leaders for service in the926military and civilian sectors for over 300 years and fully927recognizes the important role that veterans play in our928society.929    Personally, I'm thankful for Yale's support of my own930continuing military service, and I'm proud to support my931brothers and sisters and ours, as they work toward their future932education and career goals. Thank you for the opportunity to933testify and I look forward to your questions.934935    [The prepared statement of Ms. Hermes appears on pages 84-93688 of the Appendix.]937938    Chairman Moran. Thank you very much, all of you. Let me939begin with a couple of questions. There's a significant number940of veterans who don't access either healthcare benefits or941disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. I942think those numbers are about 51 percent do access healthcare,943and 42 percent do access disability.944    And it may be, you can tell me this is not true, there may945be veterans who don't need those services or services from the946department and there may be those who don't know about the947services that are available. In fact, I know that is true. And948there may be some veterans who know but don't want those949services.950    What role does any of your organizations or all of your951organizations play in meeting the needs of someone who is not952enrolled in the VA? And is there a special opportunity or953responsibility to meet the needs of those not accessing care in954the formal governmental services kind of way? How do you see955your role in that and why is that necessary for meeting the956needs of those who serve?957    Mr. Lyon. Mr. Chairman, I'll start. I really appreciate the958question because when we look at these benefits that are959available to veterans, there's often the--do I need it? Does960someone else need it? But they're earned, right? And so, if you961earn them, they're available to you.962    When you look at those accessing care or the benefits that963they've earned, be it disability and compensation, education964and training benefits, the VA home loan, all of these things,965we see utilization and the VA's own data supports it.966    The VA struggles to reach out to one age demographic above967all others, veterans under the age of 45. And veterans under968the age of 45 that have made a transition most recently are969more likely than not to be what we call non-retirees. So those970individuals that served eight years or less of active duty,971guard, or reserve. And that population tends to be like myself,972former enlisted, making their way through education and973training as they move forward.974    So, what Student Veterans of America works with is one, to975try to educate the population on what they've earned so that if976they should decide they need it, it's available to them.977    Chairman Moran. Mr. Lyon, let me ask you, do most of the978veterans who you provide assistance to, are they enrolled in979the VA or they come to you without that experience?980    Mr. Lyon. They come to us without it, overwhelmingly, sir.981Over 80 percent don't access the benefits that they've earned982beyond that of the GI Bill. That's why we're working with the983Department of Veterans Affairs to try to provide better984awareness for veterans under the age of 45, who were prior985enlisted and non-retirees. When you look at the data, it's986retirees, most likely that access disability and compensation987at far higher rates than non-retirees.988    Chairman Moran. Others want to comment on that topic? Yes.989Mr. Hutchings.990    Mr. Hutchings. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The veterans that991we see coming into Combined Arms' front door, on average, 41992percent are actually already using VA healthcare benefits, 39993percent are not enrolled, and around 18 to 20 percent are in994the current application or planning to apply. So, one of the995first things that the Combined Arms technology does is, it996says, are you interested in being connected to VA healthcare997and VA benefits? If so, that's one of the first referrals that998gets automated in the system.999    So, one of the beginning steps is inform and educate. You1000know, it's a broad assumption, but what I've heard anecdotally1001is either unaware of the support services that were out there,1002or as even some of the Combined Arms employees that are1003veterans have a great career, great benefits, not interested in1004it.1005    My personal vignette is, you know, I had a great transition1006story on paper and where I was hired and offered full-time1007employment with General Electric a year before I transitioned1008out of the military. I didn't do anything with the VA1009originally. Right. I'm fine, I'm all set. Great healthcare,1010great benefits with the company. And it actually took my dad,1011who was a career Army officer, served 23 years Army, kind of1012bumped me on the head and said, ``What are you doing? You1013should be connecting with the VA.'' And it's one of the best1014decisions I've ever made. Thank you.1015    Chairman Moran. Let me follow up and there may be others1016who wanted to comment, but let me follow up. So, how are those1017who serve these veterans who have not accessed care at the VA,1018any kind of assistance, why are they able to find you but not1019the VA? Or why do they want to find you and not the VA?1020    Mr. Hutchings. I can say how they find us, which is funny1021and also frustrating Mr. Chairman. You know, we spend a1022considerable amount of money in marketing dollars to try and1023reach veterans as far upstream as possible. Get the word out1024about Combined Arms and our partner network. And it always1025comes back to us. How did you hear about Combined Arms? We joke1026in the military, the E-4 Mafia, the Lance Corporal Underground,1027it is word of mouth and is how our community thrives.1028    It's trust, delivery of services, and people recommending1029what's worked for them. After the hundreds of thousands,1030millions over the years and 10 years that we spent on1031marketing, it always comes back to, how did you hear about1032this? ``Oh, a buddy I served with, someone I started with told1033me about this.''1034    Chairman Moran. Mr. Galui, you seem to want to answer that1035question.1036    Colonel Galui. Yes, Mr. Chairman. This was one of the1037reasons why Check-In was created. President Bush inspired this1038in 2016, and he wanted those who served to get the necessary1039help, whether it was through VA or not. And Mr. Hutchings1040mentioned a keyword, that word being trust. And so, at the Bush1041Institute, we don't necessarily work directly with veterans and1042their families. We work with the institutions and1043organizations, the leading ones that do.1044    So, the way folks find their way to Check-In is through the1045Veteran Wellness Alliance that I mentioned during my testimony.1046Organizations like Student Veterans of America are part of the1047VWA, as is Combined Arms. And so, when veterans decide whenever1048in their transition timeline, whenever that might be, to join a1049veteran peer network, it is through that network where someone1050who they trust on their side will suggest to them that they1051should check out, Check-In. And that's how they find their way1052to our program called Check-In.1053    Chairman Moran. Trust matters. Senator Blumenthal.1054    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Ms. Hermes, I remember well,1055my own transition, such as it was when I was in the Marine1056Corps Reserves. I finished the full-time part of my obligation1057five weeks into the Yale semester. Other law schools that I've1058been admitted to said, there's no way you can start law school1059five weeks late. But I showed up at Yale and frankly it all1060sounded like Greek to me.1061    In fact, it was Latin stare decisis, collateral estoppel,1062but Yale, even before its present program, embraced veterans1063and provided the help that was needed for that transition. And1064since then, universities and colleges and schools have followed1065the model of really welcoming veterans as Yale does. So, I want1066to commend all the schools that have the kinds of programs that1067you've described that Yale has pioneered.1068    But I'm frustrated that the VA has failed to do its part.1069There have been widespread and egregious delays in the GI Bill1070payments that are causing real harm to our veterans and1071survivors and their families. They're still left to cover rent1072and tuition, and schools may be flexible about tuition, but1073landlords may not get it, because they've got bills to pay too.1074And the VA's failure to pay these veterans, the Article 351075benefits on time, has real life consequences.1076    I'd like to enter an article from Stars and Stripes into1077the record, Mr. Chairman.1078    Chairman Moran. Without objection.10791080    [The article referred to appears on pages 352-354 of the1081Appendix.]10821083    Senator Blumenthal. And it says, ``More than 75,0001084students affected by VA payment delays for education1085benefits.'' I also have an article from Military Times, if1086there's no objection, Mr. Chairman.1087    Chairman Moran. No objection.10881089    [The article referred to appears on pages 355-360 of the1090Appendix.]10911092    Senator Blumenthal. ``VA tech glitch halts GI Bill payments1093to thousands, advocates say.'' And just so there's no doubt,1094this article quotes one of the veterans' advocates, Ashlynne1095Haycock-Lohmann, Director of Government and Legislative Affairs1096for the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors as saying,1097``The shutdown is not the cause of this, and it needs to be1098very clear that the reason that this happened is because VA's1099infrastructure failed, and they chose not to tell us until1100after the shutdown started.'' ``VA could have told us in1101August.''1102    These delays began in August well before the shutdown. They1103are not due to the shutdown, but they've been aggravated by the1104furloughs and firings and cuts that the Secretary has1105unnecessarily imposed before and after the shutdown. For1106example, Secretary Collins' choice to furlough IT technicians1107and shut down the GI Bill hotline.1108    I wrote a letter to the VA, October 9th, demanding answers.1109And so far, VA has provided none. It has not even responded to1110my letter. Answers about what can be done as well as what the1111causes are. Perhaps you can speak to how student veterans are1112affected when VA fails to deliver GI Bill payments promptly.1113    Ms. Hermes. Thank you, Senator. We are facing the same1114challenges described in the media for student veterans across1115the country. We are able to provide some safety net type1116funding depending on the situation. But many of these benefits,1117particularly the Chapter 35 that you mentioned, are paid1118directly to families, where we have less flexibility.1119    Though we acknowledge that the delay happened before the1120government shutdown, we have been facing significant customer1121service delays and interruptions due to the layoffs that also1122have occurred during the past year. That administrative piece1123has definitely been felt by our students when they're looking1124to solve a problem or correct a situation.1125    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Mr. Hutchings, Combined Arms1126connects hundreds of thousands of veterans to high quality1127resources including food banks, housing, and emergency1128financial assistance. Your organization has reported, I1129believe, an increased reliance by veterans' families on food1130banks and financial and housing assistance.1131    The Trump administration, as you well know, has refused to1132distribute SNAP benefits. It's a disaster for many of those1133recipients, if not all of them, but particularly for 1.21134million veterans who rely on SNAP.1135    Are there certain populations of veterans who are most at1136risk for homelessness and hunger? And how do you target them1137for services?1138    Mr. Hutchings. Thank you for your question, Senator. It is1139a very serious concern, and thank you for bringing attention to1140it. What we have seen, data drives everything that we do at1141Combined Arms. And so, we look at the data on a daily basis.1142And we have right now over 70 different data visualization1143dashboards on the pulse, the health, the demand of veterans and1144military families across the Nation, based on real-time1145transactions that occur in the system.1146    And so here recently, we have seen a surge in food1147insecurity and housing assistance requests. For food1148insecurity, within the past 30 days, about a 46 percent month1149over month increase in food security assistance. And then1150around 35-36 percent in housing support, financial assistance,1151rent, mortgage, utility payments.1152    And I think that's the beauty of this collective network1153and organizations like Combined Arms, that if there are gaps1154and if there are pauses in the government, organizations can1155stand ready to help fill these gaps from a short-term capacity.1156Not long term, but short-term capacity.1157    And I think with continued opportunity for integration with1158federal agencies, we can be more prepared in the future, and1159more resilient and ensure that veterans and military families1160get the support that they need. Thank you.1161    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. You know, I don't know quite1162how to say it, but for me, any veteran household going hungry1163is an abomination. Any veteran going homeless is absolutely1164abhorrent. And I want to thank all of you because I know you're1165seeking, and in many instances, succeeding in providing for1166veterans in the face of these gaps in federal support. Thank1167you, Mr. Chairman.1168    Chairman Moran. Senator Sheehy.11691170                        HON. TIM SHEEHY,1171                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA11721173    Senator Sheehy. Hello everyone. Thanks for being here1174today. As a combat veteran myself, married to a combat vet who1175got out and had to go through the transition experience, this1176is a topic particularly poignant to me, and my wife and our1177family.1178    So, you know, and anybody can answer, but do you feel that1179the VA is a partner in the transition process or an idle1180bystander or an opponent? How do you feel the VA exists in your1181transition ecosystem?1182    Colonel Galui. I'm happy to address this both from the Bush1183Institute perspective and my own personal perspective, I too am1184a combat veteran, and my wife is also a combat veteran sitting1185behind me as part of my support staff today, along with my1186daughter.1187    As an individual, VA's been certainly a partner in my1188transition. I have not personally experienced any delays with1189VA on both my payments from VA personally, and then also my son1190who attends Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. And their1191wonderful veteran coordinator there has been very helpful.1192    From the Bush Institute perspective, VA, as I mentioned in1193my testimony, is a member of the Veteran Wellness Alliance. And1194since its inception, the VA has partnered with us closely1195across multiple administrations. And it's through that1196collaboration and cooperation and forecasting that we're able1197to have a strong partnership with VA, and we can have an open1198dialogue. Again, this has been true both in this Administration1199and in previous administrations.1200    Ms. O'Brien. Liz O'Brien, Hiring Our Heroes. We focus1201solely on economic opportunity. In terms of how the VA partners1202with us through multiple administrations, they have come1203alongside of us. To include their CHCO, Tracey Therit, who has1204worked very closely with us to ensure that we are creating1205opportunities for military spouses to go to work within the VA1206structure across the country. And as you know, that's1207unbelievably important, that if we can get a military spouse a1208job, it increases the likelihood of a service member remaining1209in service.1210    The VA has also continued to partner with us on local1211installations. You know, from 2011 to 13, we were hosting1212hundreds and hundreds of hiring fairs for veterans as they1213return to their communities. And about halfway through 2013, we1214said, well, why are we waiting until they return as unemployed1215veterans? We need to be on the installations, multiple1216locations, across the globe to make sure that we're meeting1217them and sharing about transition long before they transition.1218    And so, the ability to meet service members while they're1219in service and create educational opportunities around what1220transition looks like, and the VA has been a part of that1221through multiple administrations for us. So, we feel like1222they're investing in economic opportunity for when service1223members are preparing to transition, and also being supportive1224of how we put military spouses to work.1225    Mr. Lyon. Senator, I love the question. Thank you for your1226service and service of your wife. The VA in spirit is a 1001227percent collaborative partner in everything that we're doing.1228And I think all of my colleagues would agree.1229    In function, some days they are adversarial, right? In1230particular when it comes to allocating the funds that this body1231puts forward specifically for like technology improvements.1232    It's one of the frustrating things about the GI Bill and1233other VA administered benefits that can be a challenge, in1234that, by the time the law gets passed, allocations get done1235from this body, and then get all the way down to the person1236that's executing them. Sometimes it can be a bit frustrating to1237see old outdated systems that funds have been put toward that1238are still old, outdated, frustrated systems. But in spirit,1239they are partners.1240    Senator Sheehy. Yes. And I think you know, there can be1241great people buried in a bad bureaucracy. And that's true of1242anywhere. It's not the VA. That's just bureaucracy at writ1243large. But I think you know, it was a bit of a leading question1244in that, you know, what you just mentioned is, for example, we1245are looking at agricultural in America and the slow, it's1246actually not that slow, pretty rapid death of multi-generation1247Ag in this country, as we're seeing farms close, we're seeing1248families recognize that the dirt that the farm sits on is worth1249a hell of a lot more than the crops that the farm creates.1250    And they make the decision, which you can't blame them for1251making that decision. Hey, you know, I'm going to set up my1252kids for a future and I'm going to sell this farm or ranch and1253we're going to get out of the business and they can go invest1254it in the NASDAQ and do a hell of a lot better than soybeans1255and cattle.1256    But we also have a system of incentives that doesn't1257support that, you know. When I was getting out, you can get a1258VA home loan for Frederick--four-bedroom condo in Miami, but1259you can't use that same loan to purchase producing agriculture1260land, which feeds America.1261    And I think whether you're an entrepreneur, I got out and1262started a business with an all-veteran founding team. The1263incentives haven't historically been there to start a business.1264And sometimes that's good. A lot of veterans shouldn't start a1265business. They should get a job. But where I'm going with this1266is, I think as you said, Jared, the spirit is there to support1267transition. But transition shouldn't be the goal. That's a step1268in the goal. The goal is to have America take advantage of the1269tremendous talent that we've invested in and created in our1270veteran population.1271    Our veterans are not charity. They don't need handouts.1272They don't want handouts. And the goal shouldn't be to build a1273box of freebies for every veteran. It should be let America1274take advantage of the amazing training and development we've1275given these individuals, so they come back and they serve our1276country again in another way, whether it's as nonprofit1277leaders, whether it's at a top university, whether it's1278starting a business or feeding America as a farmer, or going to1279work for a tech company.1280    And I think our transition process should be less focused1281on the transaction of transitioning and on the creation of the1282veterans' benefits, the loans. The programs aren't there to1283serve themselves, they're there to create a return on1284investment with that veteran who gives back to America, and1285finds an empowering career going forward.1286    And I think we're grappling with this in the wake of1287America's longest war, as we've had a very tiny percentage of1288our veterans, very tiny percentage of Americans has served the1289whole country. We never had this small amount of people do1290multiple deployments back over and over and over and over1291again. Now they come home and we have to find how they find the1292next chapter.1293    So, thank you for the work you're doing, and I would1294encourage you to continue to engage with us on how we can help1295the VA be a really meaningful partner. And also, the branches,1296the active-duty branches, you know, let's make sure they're1297alongside in that journey. So, thanks for everything you're1298doing.1299    Chairman Moran. Senator Sheehy, thank you. Senator Murray.13001301                       HON. PATTY MURRAY,1302                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON13031304    Senator Murray. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. And let1305me echo something Senator Blumenthal talked about, and really1306point out something that I think has not gotten enough1307attention. And that is that 1.2 million of our veterans rely on1308SNAP, that is about a third of them are over the age of 65 and130940 percent are disabled.1310    We know right now that President Trump is blocking them1311from getting the SNAP benefits they need, so they don't go1312hungry. The money to fund SNAP exists. Trump has chosen not to1313use that funding and his Administration said they were going to1314do partial benefits. They'd be late. And then he posted1315yesterday on to socially, he is going to block it all together.1316    So now we are of course hearing reports of veterans1317flocking to food banks. They're not sure where their next meal1318is going to come from. Mr. Chairman, my family was one of those1319families. My dad was a veteran. He got multiple sclerosis, and1320we had to rely on food stamps for a while. So, this is not1321something we should tolerate. The money exists, it is supposed1322to go out, and I hope every Member of this Committee lets the1323Administration know that they need that money to get out.1324    So, Mr. Lyon, let me just ask you about that. What are you1325hearing from your members who do rely on SNAP, and tell me why1326it's so important to student veterans in particular.1327    Mr. Lyon. Senator Murray, thank you so much for the1328question and your ongoing support for our community. At Student1329Veterans of America, we leverage a lot of research. Basic needs1330have been something that we've been looking into for the better1331part of the last five years. Food and housing insecurity are1332remaining challenges for veterans in higher education.1333    To leverage a Yale example, there was a young naval aviator1334who got out of the military after World War II, attended Yale1335as an undergraduate, was a baseball player, got married and had1336two kids while he was at Yale, all having the GI Bill fund, all1337of that, that was George H. W. Bush.1338    That notwithstanding, the GI Bill is not like that anymore.1339The GI Bill is designed for a single person that heads back to1340school. And when you look at the modern student veteran, over1341half are married or in a committed relationship with children1342when they head back to school. Another 20 percent of us are1343single parents while we're back in school, and over 75 percent1344of us are working full-time while we're in school, just trying1345to make ends meet.1346    It is very difficult to transition without a military1347pension, without healthcare for life. And that is what the1348average veteran is doing when they head back to school. So,1349it's no surprise to see benefits like SNAP and other things1350being relied on while you're back in school and trying to make1351ends meet. When those benefits go away, veterans are impacted,1352and more than that, their family members that rely on these1353benefits are impacted as well.1354    Senator Murray. Yes. Well, thank you for sharing that. And1355again, I urge all of our Committee members to let the1356Administration know that money is there. They're legally1357required to obligate it, get it out. We have people who need1358that.1359    Let me ask Colonel Hermes's about women veterans. They are1360the fastest growing demographic of veterans. And I personally1361have heard from many women veterans that when they return home1362to civilian life, people don't respect their service or assume1363that they are a military spouse, not the actual veteran. And it1364is disturbing that we now have a Secretary of Defense who takes1365every opportunity to insult women who've been in the military.1366And that really, I believe, adds to the barriers that women1367face now when they return to civilian life.1368    So, talk to us a little bit about some of the barriers that1369women veterans in particular face when they come home and seek1370civilian employment.1371    Ms. Hermes. Yes, Senator. Thank you. That is a very1372important question for our society to wrestle with. And as I'm1373here for Yale today, I'm going to frame it in terms of higher1374education.1375    In our group of enlisted student veterans, which my1376testimony focused on, because that's our most vulnerable group,1377we have a very small number of women, and I'm going to even say1378parents or families. Because it is very difficult, just like1379Mr. Lyon mentioned, to support a family while you're going to1380college. The GI Bill benefits, the federal benefits that we're1381able to give even institutionally, can't support some families1382as they leave the military.1383    So that's a huge challenge, and I think that's something1384that our society needs to keep wrestling with. And we could1385talk to the VA about programs that could support that in the1386future nationwide, not just at one school or another.1387    Senator Murray. Thank you very much. I have run out of1388time, but this is something I'm very concerned about when we1389hear discussions about DEI and then it impacts women who we1390need in our military. And not just then, but when they come1391home and they're a veteran. They actually don't want to1392identify as a veteran or don't see themselves as a veteran, and1393they then don't get the services and benefits that they've1394earned. Thank you, Mr. Chair.1395    Chairman Moran. Thank you, Senator Murray. Senator Hassan.13961397                   HON. MARGARET WOOD HASSAN,1398                U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE13991400    Senator Hassan. Thank you so much, Mr. Chair and Ranking1401Member Blumenthal for this hearing today. And thank you to our1402witnesses, not only for being here today and sharing your1403expertise and time with us, and your advocacy for veterans, but1404to each and every one of you who has served. Thank you so much1405for your service.1406    Lieutenant Colonel Galui, I want to start with a question1407to you. I'd like to discuss the importance of making sure that1408veterans get connected to resources and how facilitating that1409connection can often require trust and understanding with a1410veteran.1411    In your testimony, you discussed the Check-In program and1412you detailed how veterans who reach out for help through the1413program are first connected with one of two social workers who1414have an understanding of where the veteran's coming from. One1415social worker is a veteran and the other is married to a1416veteran.1417    I think this hits on something really important. Veterans1418need to trust that when they need help, the person they connect1419with can understand where that veteran is coming from. And1420that's something that Senator Ernst and I worked on with the VA1421and the American Legion through the Buddy Check Week, where1422veterans are encouraged to check in with each other because we1423know that peer-to-peer relationships can be critically1424important.1425    As a veteran yourself, can you please discuss the benefits1426for veterans who are seeking resources when they're connected1427with somebody who understands them and their experiences?1428    Colonel Galui. Senator, thank you for that question. I1429think Senator Moran said this a little while ago, that trust is1430everything. I mean, it truly is. This entire American1431experiment that we're all persevering is built on trust, right?1432And likewise in the veteran transition when seeking care,1433specifically through the Bush Institute's Check-In program and1434mental and brain healthcare, it's critically important that the1435veteran trusts the initial contact that they have.1436    And as I wrote in the testimony, one of two women who are1437part of Wounded Warrior Project, again, they're part of the1438Veteran Wellness Alliance. Those two women personally respond1439to the person reaching out for care. And within a short1440conversation, the veteran on the other side of the phone will1441recognize that Susan or Kristen truly understands them.1442    And when we referenced Check-In, it connects people to high1443quality care. Part of that high quality definition that we1444partnered with RAND to define, was ``veteran-centered.''1445    Senator Hassan. Sure. And I'm going to follow up Ms. Hermes1446on the line that Sarah Murray was pursuing, because one of the1447things I hear in New Hampshire from women veterans, is how1448lonely they feel in trying to find other women veterans in our1449small state, especially in our rural areas. So, can you speak1450to the need of women to be able to connect with other women1451veterans?1452    Ms. Hermes. Thank you, Senator. That's definitely true. I1453think it's true for all veterans. We want the students to1454integrate into our community and share their diverse1455perspectives. But we have had great luck with having mentoring1456groups, social groups, even casual meetups among our grad1457student, women veterans and undergrad women veterans and cadets1458and midshipmen, as they prepare to serve.1459    So, it's a great point that you make, that that connection1460helps women veterans learn about these resources and take1461advantage of them and helps them feel supported.1462    Senator Hassan. Thank you very much for that and for your1463work. Colonel Carson, in your testimony you discussed how1464veterans face what could be a complicated and confusing process1465to get help during their transition from military service to1466civilian life. You also mentioned the importance of making sure1467that these veterans are able to find the right resources at the1468right time, specific to their individual needs.1469    Senator Cramer and I worked on this with our bipartisan1470Solid Start Act that requires the VA to reach out to veterans1471at least three times within their first year of leaving the1472military, with a focus on trying to meet each veteran's1473individual needs. From your perspective, what are some1474additional things that we can do to help make sure that1475tailored, useful, timely information is provided to1476transitioning veterans?1477    Colonel Carson. Thank you for the question, Senator. I'll1478build on what Mr. Lyon said as well, that we want forecasts1479that can help. And encouraging service members and making it1480easier for them to be enrolled in VA. They, of course, have1481agency, but that would be a great assistance.1482    Each service member does complete an individual assessment.1483We want the members to have privacy, their concerns considered.1484But if we can know what they need as they come out through1485trusted partnerships, which we do have with the VA, we can all1486better serve them.1487    Senator Hassan. Thank you. I'm running out of time. I did1488want to just touch on with Colonel Carson and Ms. O'Brien, the1489issue of military spouse employment. I will follow up with a1490longer question but just really appreciate your work on this1491because I think one of the things we really need to focus on,1492Mr. Chair, around this issue is how the problem of military1493spouses not being fully employed or employed to their1494qualifications can really build over years. And it poses kind1495of this mounting cumulative impact.1496    So, I'll follow up with a question to the record on that,1497but thank you both for your attention to that as well as so1498many other things. And thanks to the whole panel, it's really1499an important panel for us.1500    And as the Chairman and Ranking Member said at the1501beginning, we don't usually get this cross section of1502nonprofits who are so critical to the network that we need to1503have, to really make sure we're not only saying how much we1504appreciate veterans, but showing them with real action that we1505do. Thank you.1506    Chairman Moran. Senator Hassan, thank you. Senator Cassidy1507you are recognized.15081509                       HON. BILL CASSIDY,1510                  U.S. SENATOR FROM LOUISIANA15111512    Senator Cassidy. I'm going to pick up kind of where Senator1513Hassan left off, and you'll see why quite obviously. Colonel1514Carson, Senator Hassan and I have introduced, and she may have1515mentioned it, bipartisan legislation to extend and enhance the1516Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Now, the Work Opportunity Tax1517Credit gives the employer a credit on the amount of money that1518he or she would spend to hire somebody for like a two-year1519period. And the idea is to help those who might have an issue1520with transitioning.1521    So, think of the one eligibility or the people leaving the1522service. I like that, as a physician, we've learned that the1523first six months after someone leaves service is one of the key1524times in which they may commit suicide. That loss of structure.1525And sir, I saw your testimony speaking about General1526Eisenhower, like didn't have a clue how to do a career change.1527    As Senator Hassan pointed out that we are extending this we1528hope, to the spouse of someone who is a veteran, knowing that1529their constant movement may have made it difficult for her to1530have long-term employment. So, any thoughts about that Bill,1531the importance thereof, and why not all my colleagues shouldn't1532be co-sponsors?1533    Colonel Carson. Thank you, Senator Cassidy for the1534question. I appreciate very much, that incentivizes the private1535sector to be involved in solving this problem with us. And that1536yes, it's crucial that military spouses are included in that1537number. I believe the Department of Labor also has looked at1538including spouses as displaced workers. So, the benefits are1539there. We help navigate military spouses that we see to these1540opportunities, and prepare them. The same is crucial for1541veterans as you said.1542    That first year is incredibly difficult. Liz O'Brien and I1543have stacked programs together to build bridges. For example,1544our program offers credentials. She has pathways for fellowship1545with employers. And if the employers are looking for our talent1546that we can help prepare for that opportunity, all the better.1547So, we're supportive.1548    Senator Cassidy. And I'll toss this out, because I can1549speak from intuition that a spouse who's been a trailing spouse1550during the career of someone who's in the service, would not1551have a work record that looks like they've been able to stay at1552a job for a long period of time.1553    But can anybody put numbers on that? And put succinctly,1554how we can help people understand the importance of giving that1555spouse opportunity for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit. Ms.1556Hermes, anyone?1557    Ms. O'Brien. I thank you for the question. I appreciate the1558nod that military spouses are included in this. For over a1559decade, I was a college basketball coach and then married my1560husband. And we went through a process where we moved seven1561times in nine years. And so, as we moved, you can see where I1562was coaching at Hofstra University, I was coaching at West1563Point, I was coaching at University of Hawaii, and then I was1564coaching at Division II schools as we continued to move across1565the country and eventually ended up in Germany, where options1566were slightly limited, as you can imagine.1567    And so, when we moved back to the States, I had to make a1568decision. I love to work. It's meaningful, it's purposeful and1569it contributes income to my family. And so now, can you imagine1570when I show up at the age of 40 at Hiring Our Heroes, looking1571for them to help me find a different pathway, and instead they1572offer me a job as a coordinator, right?1573    And so, who is offering, who else, but somebody that's in1574this space is going to understand that there is tremendous1575value in my work history. And so, one of the pieces that we1576work on and work alongside the IVMF is one, the research that1577is out there, how do we translate it for the employers? How do1578we work alongside hiring managers, not just the recruiters, to1579make sure they're educated to understand what a non-linear1580resume looks like, and how to figure out what are the skills1581underlying in each of those positions?1582    And so, as we work with our employers, we're also1583encouraging them to embrace skills-based opportunities. And so,1584as you look at the Work Opportunity Credit, we're grateful that1585you're including military spouses. We believe they belong there1586and encourage employers potentially to provide feedback, in1587what the administrative burden of being able to include1588military spouses.1589    It's very difficult for employers who are highly regulated1590to ask the status, a marital status of a potential employee.1591And so, as you work on that, that would be one piece I would1592flag.1593    Senator Cassidy. Wait, so if they would say, I like your1594term non-linear resume. Oh, you've got a non-linear resume.1595Well, it's because I've been married to a guy that's been1596transferred nine times in seven years. But unless you volunteer1597it, they can't say, hmm, it looks like you've moved a lot. Can1598you tell me why?1599    Ms. O'Brien. Yes. Well, savvy hiring managers often do,1600which causes military spouses to be eliminated very quickly.1601But when Jared applies for a job, or Colonel Carson, you know,1602you can identify as a veteran, it's very difficult for an1603employer or a company to put on their military spouse, right?1604Because that is asking me what my marital status is.1605    And so, it requires an effort by employers working with1606their legal teams to be able to put, you know, under the1607identifying status when you're applying to have military spouse1608on there. In theory, the companies we've worked with who have1609been able to navigate it, then puts the military spouse to the1610hiring manager who is familiar with what a military spouse1611resume looks like, or a veteran resume.1612    Senator Cassidy. Very helpful. Thank you all very much.1613Yes.1614    Chairman Moran. Ms. O'Brien, let me clarify for at least1615me. So, there is also a downside to indicating that you're a1616military spouse because it suggests lack of consistent1617presence. So, it's a double-edged sword, if you're not one of1618the companies that are interested in hiring the spouses of1619veterans, you may decide not to hire somebody because of the1620instability of the circumstance. Is that true?1621    Ms. O'Brien. 100 percent true.1622    Chairman Moran. Okay. Senator King.16231624                    HON. ANGUS S. KING, JR.,1625                    U.S. SENATOR FROM MAINE16261627    Senator King. Thank you very, very much, Mr. Chairman. Two1628points initially. First, I want to thank you for calling this1629important hearing and assembling this very impressive group of1630witnesses. Following on that, I want to emphasize something1631Senator Sheehy said. You know more than we do, and don't let1632your contributions to our work end today. In other words, keep1633in touch.1634    And as thoughts come out of, based on the hearing, let us1635know and make, give suggestions where we can help with1636authorities, with programs in the VA, with coordination1637efforts, all of those things. You are a tremendous resource,1638and I want to thank you.1639    And Ms. Hermes, I also want to hope that you'll convey my1640thanks to Yale, because Yale is the reason for everything I've1641achieved in my life. The reason for that is that when they1642rejected me at the law school, I dedicated my life to making1643them regret the decision. And it served me very well.1644    [Laughter.]1645    Senator King. Really what we're talking about is1646transition. I believe that the Department of Defense and the VA1647combined should spend as much time, money, and effort on1648transition as they do on recruiting. And I think there's a lot1649of activity, and I think it's improved recently, but it really1650still is not where it wants to be.1651    There are two or three issues that I've been involved with,1652and I'd like your quick thoughts. One is pre-enrolling in VA1653healthcare before you leave active duty. You're nodding. Is1654that a good idea?1655    Colonel Carson. Yes, Senator. Absolutely.1656    Senator King. So that there's not that gap of where do I go1657and how do I move? Secondly, Form 2648 has a box on it that1658says, if you opt in, if you want to have your contact1659information shared with the state veterans agency, we'd like to1660change that to an opt out. Because people often just don't1661check boxes and reverse the presumption so that people, unless1662they object to it, they can have their contact.1663    My idea is if you get a state veterans organization, that1664state veterans structure that's in connection with VSOs, I1665would like somebody to meet the new veteran when they're coming1666to the airport. And that won't happen unless you have this1667reverse, this presumption. Is that something Mr. Lyons, for1668example, that you think is a good idea?1669    Mr. Lyon. You could envision the honor flights that we1670bring to DC to see the Nation's monuments, to take that same1671concept to a newly returning veteran to a community. All1672politics is local. All transition is local. To the extent that1673we could meet them at the airport, that would be phenomenal,1674sir. Yes, sir.1675    Senator King. But we can't do it unless we know that1676they're coming. And the only way to know that is if their1677contact information is conveyed. So, you would support that1678change?1679    Mr. Lyon. We would support that change, the opt out.1680    Senator King. Finally TAP promotion, that is having VSOs1681involved in the TAP process before the active-duty member1682leaves. That strikes me as just common sense. Is that--you're1683nodding. I hope that doesn't go in the record. This guy can't1684record nods.1685    Ms. Hermes. Yes, Senator, we agree. Having VSOs involved1686would be a great idea.1687    Senator King. Thank you. And finally, Mr. Hutchings, I'm1688fascinated by your website and in fact, coming into this1689hearing, not being fully aware of what Combined Arms did, my1690suggestion was that the VA should create such a website, but it1691sounds like you've pretty well done it.1692    The question is how do we make veterans aware of this1693really rich resource that you've created? And again, maybe it1694should be on a form somewhere, that you know, check here if you1695want to hear from a website provider that can give you access1696to literally 40,000 resources across the country. How can we1697help get this resource that you've created into more veterans'1698hands?1699    Mr. Hutchings. Thank you for your question, Senator. And to1700your earlier point, I will keep in touch. Three very1701commonsensical recommendations you made that I think we all1702agree with. So that is you know, a question that we're1703constantly struggling and iterating with as an organization, I1704think all of the respective organizations here as well, is how1705can we make people more aware of our partnerships, our1706collaborations, our collectives, like the one that was just1707announced here recently? And I think it's continued discussion1708and continued integration in the form of pilots with federal1709agencies, with state agencies.1710    Senator King. But one thing that might help is if, as a1711veterans walking out the door, they're handed a card with the1712website, or with a series of websites saying, you know, if you1713are planning to go to school, here's student veterans. And,1714it's a matter of making connections. And again, I'm trying to1715think of how this can be done through the official process1716where everybody is passing through, rather than people who hear1717it by word of mouth. So, make----1718    Mr. Lyon. Senator, if I could, you said it at the beginning1719of your remarks. If the DoD and the VA were working together to1720spend as much on transition as we do on recruitment, it's1721bringing the Department of Defense to the table as well, to1722hold an equal part and an accountable part to that transition.1723    Senator King. Yes, and we're spending most of the time here1724talking about the VA, but the Department of Defense is a big,1725big part of this. That's where it starts. So again, share your1726ideas, but I think this is a very important hearing. Thank you1727again, Mr. Chairman.1728    Chairman Moran. You're welcome, Senator King. Senator1729Slotkin.17301731                      HON. ELISSA SLOTKIN,1732                   U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN17331734    Senator Slotkin. Thank you, Chairman. Thanks to all of you.1735If you're coming to me, you're almost at the end. I'm at the1736end of the line here. Thank you for what all of you do. I think1737you know, I'm a former CIA officer and Pentagon official. I did1738three tours alongside the military in Iraq, and I was a1739military spouse. So, thank you for working on this very1740important issue.1741    A couple years ago, in 2020 when I was in the House, I had1742a bunch of veterans come up to me actually at a veteran event1743in Howell, Michigan and say, you know, they just had no idea1744what they were eligible for. Right? Typical, like, I heard1745there's programs, but I don't know. And we wrote, along with1746Senators on this Committee, something called the Solid Start1747Act, that was signed into law in 2022, which required the VA to1748reach out three times in the first year of separation, to1749ensure that we're showing all the services that the VA has.1750    Again, many of these would be solved by opting out instead1751of opting in, if we had just kind of signed people up for VA1752healthcare originally. But this was my attempt at least having1753some outreach. And it's good, but I think the thing that I'm1754struggling with is, with all the programs that you all1755wonderfully do, how do we make sure that people even have any1756idea? And while a signing up for something and checking a card1757and all that might have worked with veterans of my age, right,1758the 9/11 era, the newest veterans are going to be coming out of1759service with like, no even history of reading their snail mail,1760of even reading email. It's all digital, right? It's all how do1761we get to them?1762    So how do we, I guess this is a question I'm going to maybe1763ask Mr. Lyon if you could answer. How do you amalgamate all the1764services so that our newest veterans will have a one stop shop?1765And then how do you make it available in a form that they want1766to consume it in, not what their parents' generation wanted to1767consume it in?1768    Mr. Lyon. So first off, thank you for your service as well1769Senator, and I appreciate the question. I wish there were an1770easier answer and I'm not sure that there is. It starts with1771organizations like ours here that have been invited to testify1772today. And we're grateful for those invites. We collaborate1773outside of rooms like this too, which is important.1774    But I think that something that should be known as the1775majority of us that are going to get out, are going to be1776enlisted like I was. And the majority of those that get out as1777enlisted are not going to retire. And when we think about the1778localized aspect of transition and returning back home to a1779small town in Michigan, or anywhere in the country, it starts1780with those units.1781    I mean, people don't get out of the Army, they get out of1782their unit, they don't get out of the Navy, they get out of the1783Navy from a ship. They're getting out at the smallest level of1784service. And if we tied officer promotion evals, for instance,1785to the transition success of their troops, you would see a1786shocking improvement in the transition process. So that's one1787radical idea for you, Senator.1788    [Laughter.]1789    Senator Slotkin. Yes, I like that one. That's good. I just1790think we need to be thinking about how the next generation is1791going to be consuming their information. And I was pushing for,1792you know, hey, let's move from snail mail because people don't1793know their addresses, where they're going to end up when they1794separate.1795    So, let's at least go to email like, I was pushing for the1796big development of taking their email address when they1797separated, their civilian email address. But I think we need to1798think differently. Particularly since our private sector1799companies certainly know how to target different communities1800and pump them the algorithms. Like I want to pump the veteran,1801the algorithm of like, Hey, there's a new program. You can get1802discounted Disney tickets. Hey, there's a whatever.1803    Mr. Lyon. It's at a unit level; that's the first sergeant1804or the chief. Right? Like, have them there meeting their1805troops, kneecap to kneecap where they are.1806    Senator Slotkin. Yes. That's very interesting. So how do we1807make sure, given that so many of your organizations they're not1808affiliated with the government in any way, it's just like,1809really good people wanting to do good things for our veterans.1810    How do we make sure that there's some strategic use of1811resources? And we don't have repetitive organizations. You1812don't have what we call silos of excellence over here that1813don't talk to each other. I don't know if Mike, you want to1814take that or who wants to take that, but I'm worried that we1815have all this great effort, but, it's sometimes redundant in1816the effort.1817    Mr. Hutchings. Thank you, Senator. And you are a hundred1818percent correct. There is incredible repetition within the1819support space and duplication of effort. I think there was a1820great component called out from a cohesive and collaboration1821perspective, a national veteran strategy to better identify the1822guidelines and principles.1823    And then a national veteran data commons, like Mr. Lyon1824said, about integrating disparate datasets together, pulsed in1825with state agency data, with community-based organization data,1826data mapped pars standardized to basically have real time needs1827and demand signals of what veterans and military families need1828at the national level. So, a strategy and a data informed1829strategies is what I would recommend.1830    Senator Slotkin. Yes. I feel like if you gave this to a1831bunch of really smart 24-year-old programmers, like, okay, we1832have all this data, how are we going to--maybe it's you. Yes.1833How are we going to make this easy and accessible and we could1834get at this problem. But my time is over. Thank you, Chairman.1835Appreciate your work everyone.1836    Chairman Moran. Senator Slotkin, thank you. Thank you for1837your questions. Senator Banks, it's not true that Senator1838Slotkin is the last to ask questions. It's now Senator Banks'1839turn.18401841                        HON. JIM BANKS,1842                   U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA18431844    Senator Banks. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We've seen a lot of1845progress in reducing veteran unemployment. The rate right now1846is 3.1 percent, is even lower than the general unemployment1847rate, which is really good. But I know that underemployment is1848still a problem, and I appreciate all the work that your1849organizations are doing to help match veteran skills to great1850jobs to help them find meaningful careers.1851    In Indiana, we have a very successful organization called1852INvets, that has been recognized by the Labor Department for1853the important work that they do. And INvets partners with more1854than 500 employers in our state. And they have placed over 8001855Hoosier veterans in jobs. We're very proud of the work that1856they do.1857    Colonel Galui, with the veteran unemployment rate near 31858percent, sometimes we forget what a serious problem that rate1859was in the past. In your testimony, you referenced that1860unemployment among young veterans was 29 percent in 2011. Can1861you give us a bit of a history lesson, like walk us through1862that history and how did we solve that? What were the good1863things that happened along the way to bring those, that that1864rate down?1865    Colonel Galui. Well, thank you Senator for your question.1866And a quick version of history is that about 10 or 15 years ago1867the conversation here would've been about getting veterans1868jobs. And the response from corporate America was robust. And1869we saw many companies committing to hiring veterans at high1870levels, getting them jobs.1871    Fast forward to today, and we have, as you noted an1872unemployment rate among veterans, generally speaking, that is1873lower than their non-veteran counterpart. That's a great news1874story that veterans are getting jobs. The question now that1875we're asking at the Bush Institute through our policy work is1876that, are veterans getting the right jobs? And our claim going1877into this policy process is that the U.S. economy can employ1878veterans better.1879    And so, in my testimony, I referenced reframing of that1880transition question. Instead of asking service members what1881they want to do when they get out of service, that's only one1882half of the equation. The other half is what is it that the1883labor market wants or needs from them? So perhaps a veteran1884should be thinking about what it is that the veteran has in1885their talent set, their skills, knowledge, experiences,1886education that has evolved during their career.1887    And I would say that transition begins at accession. And1888understanding how your skills are evolving is critically1889important. And that requires leadership at your unit level,1890such that when the time comes for you to separate and begin to1891thrive, you have a better way to address your own employment1892question and try to understand that that labor supply labor1893demand match.1894    Senator Banks. Talk about that more, unpack the labor1895supply demand mismatch, and how do we solve it?1896    Colonel Galui. Sure. I mean, that is a large economic1897question, you know, broader than just veterans. The better we1898can employ our human capital and our labor force as a Nation,1899the stronger our economy will be, the stronger position we'll1900be in with respect veterans in their transition.1901    And this might be a role for the Department of Defense.1902We've talked a little bit about--Senator King brought up, you1903know, we've talked a lot about VA. Well, there is a DoD role1904here to some degree, and that is helping active service members1905understand how their skills are evolving, such that they, the1906veterans themselves or the service members that become1907veterans, can translate not just their military occupational1908specialty into a job, but really articulate their tangible1909skills and their intangible skills to employers.1910    Senator Banks. I'm a big fan of what the Institute does and1911I've visited with you all there, visited with you in my office.1912Has the Institute done any research at all on the impact of1913artificial intelligence on veteran skills and potential job1914opportunities in the future? For better or worse?1915    Colonel Galui. We were in that process. In fact, the1916gentleman sitting behind me, D'Juan Wilcher leads our1917Employment Policy Working Group, which is a collaborative1918effort across academia, former government officials, and1919industry leaders that are coming together in an entrepreneurial1920way to better address these questions. And we will, from the1921Bush Institute, have policy recommendations next year.1922    Senator Banks. Are we optimistic or are we concerned about1923how veterans specifically will be impacted?1924    Colonel Galui. We're optimistic.1925    Senator Banks. Good.1926    Mr. Lyon. Senator, if I could add from the artificial1927intelligence perspective, public private partnerships are a lot1928of the answer. For us, we work alongside Google. We've done an192911-state deep dive in policy analyses. And the beautiful thing1930is that by leveraging AI, we have the sort of economies of1931scale to find what the market trends are for the labor force,1932and matching those with the skills that veterans and their1933family members bring to the table.1934    It's through things like AI literacy, which is a big issue1935in society today, but veterans based on what they did in the1936military, are bringing a certain level of AI literacy to the1937table. So, in addition to Mr. Galui's great work at the Bush1938Institute you're having this population that already is1939bringing the baseline to bear.1940    If we can combine that with the data for where the trends1941are going, that data lives in Labor, Department of Education,1942Department of Veterans Affairs, and Department of Defense. We1943bring that all together, we can match it immediately, skills-1944based manner to where if you're going to school or not, you1945have the ability to leverage these things for a future that is1946already here. And that veterans are very well prepared to1947support strongly the American economy through.1948    Senator Banks. Very good. My time has expired.1949    Chairman Moran. Thank you, Senator Banks. We're going to1950conclude this hearing in a little bit, but not quite yet. And I1951have a couple of questions I want to still ask and that,1952therefore equity requires that I ask Senator King if he has1953anything he would like to ask. I appreciate that. And Senator1954Blumenthal, I know has a couple of questions. Senator1955Blumenthal.1956    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Just a couple of questions.1957We've talked a little bit about mental health, but not enough1958in my view. I recently introduced the BRAVE Act, which1959reauthorizes the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide1960Prevention Grant Program to increase funding to combat veteran1961suicide. Just one example of the kind of program that I think1962is important to reach veterans.1963    We all know that often they're reluctant to seek mental1964health help in the military, and even when they transition out1965for many of the reasons associated with the condition itself,1966but also what they feel is the stigma of asking for help. I1967think it's absolutely necessary to increase funding for the1968VA's mental health program and to enable more veterans to seek1969help outside the veterans community, whether it is the mental1970health services offered on campuses or through employers or1971others.1972    Colonel Carson, you work closely with community partners1973who provide mental health care under the Fox Grant Program.1974Maybe you can speak to why it's so important to fund this1975program, supporting the mental health of transitioning1976veterans.1977    Colonel Carson. It has been incredibly helpful already,1978although there are many measures yet to have an available1979outcome. But the reduction in stressors already from the Fox1980grantees delivery is outstanding. The proposal to continue and1981perhaps expand the funding for the Fox grants, along with1982performance expectations and oversight, seems like a smart way1983forward.1984    And I'd also say that there are other contributors from1985each of the organizations who are here, who are doing the1986difference. There are many ways to prevent suicide. Economic1987opportunity, being part of a community, getting an education1988that takes you to a career that you desire, are also1989contributing. But this is an important grant, and we are1990already seeing the performance.1991    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Lieutenant Colonel Galui, I1992know the Bush Institute does a lot of work in this area. Maybe1993you could talk to that point as well.1994    Colonel Galui. Yes. Thank you, Ranking Member Blumenthal.1995Check-In, as I've mentioned, is led by the Bush Institute, but1996powered by the Veteran Wellness Alliance. And half of the1997members of that alliance are clinical providers, the best in1998the Nation that can deliver high quality mental and brain1999healthcare for post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression,2000substance abuse, military sexual trauma, and mild traumatic2001brain injury.2002    The other half of the alliance are peer networks that2003engage with veterans every day, whether it's through physical2004activity, whether it's Student Veterans of America, as Mr. Lyon2005is sitting here with us, whether that is serving in disaster2006relief, these veterans that are together get connected to2007Check-In, and get connected to mental healthcare.2008    The two constraints on Check-In preventing us from2009realizing the vision, which is that Check-In becomes a front2010door to mental and brain healthcare access, is clinical2011capacity and awareness. And we have to balance increased2012awareness with ensuring that we have clinical capacity funding.2013And all of our clinical providers have their own pursuits for2014fundraising and the Bush Institute helps them along that path.2015    Senator Blumenthal. If we're creating demand for mental2016health services, you got to provide supply. I want to give a2017thanks and a shout-out to the VSOs--Veterans Service2018Organizations, all of them, whether it's Veterans of Foreign2019Wars, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Vietnam2020Veterans of America, Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans. I'm sure2021I'm failing to cover some of them.2022    Chairman Moran. You're making a mistake Ranking Member you2023need to----2024    [Laughter.]2025    Senator Blumenthal. Not the first mistake I've made, but2026let the record reflect that the Chairman has interrupted me2027before I could complete the full list and I could go on. But2028let me just say we've heard concerns from them and from2029advocates like yourself, that the VA is not effectively2030carrying out their referral process to private groups.2031    By referring veterans from the VA to community partners,2032trusted partners like the VSOs and yourselves, the VA can2033ensure that veterans have access to the full range of resources2034and support available, at least more access, maybe not full,2035but the VA often fails to follow through to make sure veterans2036actually connect and receive that support.2037    They're just handing veterans a business card or an email2038address or a phone number, rather than directly ensuring that2039veterans are physically and effectively connecting with the2040community partners. And I wonder if any of you would wish to2041comment on how the VA can improve its referral process to2042better track the outcomes for veterans?2043    Mr. Hutchings. Thank you, Senator. I would love to comment2044on this. And I think, organically and hopefully this could be a2045future iteration of the Fox grant, of where you're investing in2046community-based organizations to help fill gaps and to help2047supplement support across VA modalities.2048    But that there also could be a digital infrastructure for2049these referrals to occur, to have data standards tracking and2050accountability. That's the big gap currently, is we can refer2051veterans into the VA, the VA will receive those referrals, but2052then we have no visibility on outputs or outcomes or service2053delivery. We have trust in the VA, but we can't see that.2054    And in the same vein, the VA has no digital infrastructure2055tool to refer to community-based organizations. And so very2056much the solution is a business card written on a piece of2057paper. And we would advocate and recommend for at least2058piloting interoperability for bilateral interagency referrals2059with great vetted validated community-based organizations out2060there, sir.2061    Colonel Carson. Senator Blumenthal?2062    Senator Blumenthal. Colonel Carson.2063    Colonel Carson. If I may, we have research that proves that2064when these things do happen in a coordinated way, the data2065sharing that Mr. Hutchings recommended, it is more successful2066outcome for the veteran, nonclinical as well as clinical2067outcomes. And we'd be happy to provide that research so that we2068can see less variability in how VA units around the country2069interact with community service partners. We'd like to see some2070standardization. Thanks.2071    Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. I want to offer my thanks2072before we conclude, and I know the Chairman has a couple more2073questions, but thank you very much for spending this time with2074us. Much more important, thank you for all the great work that2075you do.2076    I just want to make the point that the VA needs more2077resources and so do your groups. Your groups deserve and need2078support so you can better help our veterans. The furloughs and2079firings and contract cancellations that we've seen at the VA2080began before the shutdown. The shutdown should not be blamed.2081It may have exacerbated problems, but we need to resolve, as a2082nation, that we're not going to inflict pain or cause2083unnecessary sacrifice from our veterans through the furloughs2084and cuts and cancellations of contracts that we've seen2085beginning before the shutdown.2086    And so, I know we live in a very challenging world. You are2087coping with those challenges in a very courageous and strong2088way. And I want to thank you.2089    Chairman Moran. Sir Blumenthal, thank you. I actually think2090this has been a really good hearing. So, thank you for your2091presentation. Thanks for your time.2092    Senator Blumenthal. I agree with that, Mr. Chairman. Thank2093you.2094    Chairman Moran. No, you're welcome. And I don't know2095exactly what I expected to come from this, but I am really2096pleased with the amount of information that I've garnered and2097the suggestions that at least come to my mind and some that2098you've made directly about things that we could do to assist2099the private organizations as they care for those who serve.2100    A couple of things that I'd highlight, Senator King did2101this, but I would make this same point again, and you2102highlighted for us the importance of the Department of Defense.2103And while that's not our Committee's jurisdiction, so many2104things that we try to accomplish on behalf of veterans is2105determinative by whether or not the Department of Defense2106fulfills its mission, its task, things that they're legally2107required to do upon transition.2108    And too often failure to see that happen has a significant2109consequence in so many ways. And so maybe we can figure out how2110we work harder to get DoD to do more, while we also work to2111make sure the Department of Veterans Affairs is doing its job.2112    I'm also appreciative of the highlighting of a topic that I2113hadn't thought about coming up in this hearing, and that's the2114consequences to military spouses. Again, that highlights for me2115an issue that we ought to pay more attention to and figure out2116how we solve some of those problems. I suppose we stereotype2117too often, but I mean, a spouse is a male or a female, a man or2118a woman, and both can suffer the consequences of the careers of2119their service member and their family.2120    And the idea of how we recruit people to find employment, I2121think we probably underemphasize finding ways to find2122employment for the accompanying spouse. So, I appreciate that2123being highlighted. It seems to me, and I may be wrong, but I2124mean, in part, is that in the position that I occupy, that2125Members of this Committee occupy, we meet people who have an2126organization that's interested in caring for veterans and cares2127for veterans across our states, across the country.2128    I don't know that a week goes by, but what somebody doesn't2129tell me, this is my veterans' organization, this is what we're2130doing, and I'm in a community in Kansas and somebody says this,2131you need to come see what we've just started. Tell me if that's2132true? Is there a proliferation of these organizations like2133yours, I suppose, particularly on the local level? And is there2134something significant about that happening that says that the2135needs of veterans are not being fulfilled?2136    The alternative to that, I think, could be that there's2137just people who really care about veterans and are looking for2138ways to find their role in fulfilling that mission. Is there2139something that we should know about the seemingly growth? Is2140there a growth in organizations that you deal with and that you2141see serve a veteran that has a meaning for me?2142    Colonel Galui. Chairman Moran, I thank you for that2143question. And I mean, I attribute it to the entrepreneurial2144spirit of Americans in wanting to do right by veterans,2145regardless of what the Federal Government or state or local2146government are doing. At the Bush Institute, we see a wide2147variety of different veterans service organizations from the2148large ones represented at this table, and have been at these2149tables before, to neighborhood ones that are just trying to2150find a way to make a difference.2151    I think of one just north of Dallas, that's a neighborhood2152veterans' group that within their homeowners association found2153a way to provide resources to veterans in their community. And2154in Essex County, Massachusetts, I know that they're just2155launching a fund for veterans in Essex County. So, these are2156popping up, and I just think it's a good-natured Americans2157doing the right thing and doing what they can.2158    Chairman Moran. So, we should feel good about this?2159    Colonel Galui. I think so. Yes, sir.2160    Chairman Moran. Great. You know, I think of one that even2161in my own family's life, that was significant. And you know, as2162I understand, the story started with a realtor in Georgia who2163decided that World War II veterans in his community should be2164able to see the memorial built in their honor. And look what's2165transpired from an idea and one person in one community, to the2166honor flights that we have today that are so meaningful for so2167many veterans.2168    I'm interested in, maybe this is for you, Ms. O'Brien. I2169think one, I want you to start Hiring Our Heroes in Kansas. You2170listed some communities, cities, that this is growing, and I2171want to be a participant in trying to accomplish at least the2172mission of what Hiring Our Heroes is doing in my home state.2173    And I mentioned this in another hearing. I read an article2174in--I still read newspapers. I read an article in a newspaper2175at home about veterans from Fort Riley, actually service2176members from Fort Riley soon to become veterans. The community2177of Wichita and the aerospace aviation defense businesses that2178are there, brought those soon to be veterans from Fort Riley to2179Wichita to see what the opportunities were for employment. I2180know for a fact the opportunities for those veterans are2181significant.2182    Those opportunities exist, but we got to figure out how to2183make the connection. And it's my understanding that that is2184what Hiring Our Heroes do. And so, I would welcome any2185suggestions of how we, as Members of Congress in our own2186states, can be helpful to the process that the Chamber has2187started. Anything I should know?2188    Ms. O'Brien. Thank you, Senator Moran for the question. I2189am happy to tell you that we have a presence at Fort Riley. We2190have a presence at Fort Leavenworth. We come through multiple2191times a year. We have also--we also hosted an AI round table2192for small businesses that are in construction and manufacturing2193just several weeks ago. I believe Caroline, who used to be on2194your staff, was unbelievably helpful to us in that as well.2195    I think what's important for anybody who wants to invest in2196their states, there are several models that work extremely2197well. The Senator referenced earlier INvets, right? INvets2198travels with us. We go to over 50 installations around the2199globe. We're in Germany, we're in UK, we're in the Hawaii,2200we're in Asia. And so, they bring the jobs of the states with2201them to service members who would not know otherwise that these2202opportunities exist. So that's one unbelievably successful2203model that we have seen work at the state level.2204    We work very hard to bring SkillBridge opportunities to2205states, especially for service members that want to return home2206to that state that they're from. And we are working diligently2207in Kansas to provide those opportunities.2208    And then how we create opportunities for military spouses2209at the community level. You know, we can't do what we do from a2210national level without those community-based nonprofits that2211allow us to meet people where they are. And so, they become2212unbelievably important and we find them for us through our2213local chambers of commerce.2214    Chairman Moran. Is there a way this goes back to lack of2215information that I think that Senator Slotkin was talking2216about? Is there a way to know veterans from a state, I mean,2217that are--how does an organization in either Hiring Our Heroes2218and what they do, how do you find the veterans to connect them2219with their home states? Is that possible?2220    Ms. O'Brien. It is for us, because we get to them before2221they transition. So, if they attend our events that are on2222installations, or they opt into SkillBridge through us, we are2223collecting their ZIP Code from their original home of record,2224that is something that they share with us. And so, then we're2225able to discern, you know, we know about a third stay, a third2226return home to their states, and a third return.2227    Chairman Moran. Once they disperse, that opportunity is2228gone?2229    Ms. O'Brien. Yep. And so, we can pull data and share data2230and make educated decisions on where we think people may go,2231based on their original home of record. And so, for us, the2232best piece of what we do is that we're able to connect with2233them before they transition.2234    I would also encourage people to really think about, and2235I'm far removed now, how do we meet young service members and2236military spouses where they are? And it's certainly not even on2237email anymore. What are the digital platforms that they are2238using to gather information? And it's not the digital platform2239that I'm using, right? They are not on Facebook, right? They2240have evolved and it's changing almost yearly.2241    And so, we have to figure out, we get great results if2242we're texting folks, nobody's looking at their email. There are2243wonderful ways in different platforms digitally that exist2244through social media. I am not our social media manager, for2245good reason. But it has been an evolution that we've had to2246learn to embrace, or we're going to miss out on the opportunity2247to connect.2248    Chairman Moran. You've caused me to rephrase the question I2249was going to ask the panel, which comes a bit from Senator2250Slotkin. So, what should I be putting on my website that would2251be able to be helpful to educating those about the2252opportunities? And the answer, I should change my question now.2253What in my social media platforms would be effective, what I2254should say and what mediums I should use to connect with those2255who are leaving military service and connecting with an2256organization to help meet their needs?2257    Ms. O'Brien. Yes. we're doing a deep dive now to determine2258which platform we should be moving our messaging to, based on2259the fact that we are sharing economic opportunity, right.2260LinkedIn has been a wonderful platform for us, but I think it's2261dependent upon the message that you're trying to share. If you2262are just trying to connect at scale with veterans, it's2263probably going to be a different platform than LinkedIn for2264what we're doing.2265    Mr. Lyon. Mr. Chairman, could I just add to--sorry, back2266over here. So, one of the things that's beautiful about folks2267that enlist our commission into the Armed Forces is, they come2268from states. And so, what we know from our data is for non-2269retiring transitioning service members, 80 percent of them are2270returning home to where they came from or where their spouse is2271from.2272    And so, one of the things you could put on your website, or2273perhaps even better, is, you know, just literally working with2274the young Kansans who are leaving Kansas for active-duty2275service because they're boomerangs. They're coming right back2276to Kansas within six years. And so, if you have the----2277    Chairman Moran. Oh, so you're telling me I'm late, like2278you're there's an opportunity to do something much earlier?2279    Mr. Lyon. Yes, but you absolutely can. I mean, the big time2280for enlistments will tend to be toward the summer times, but2281not exclusively. Boot camps don't discriminate as to what time2282of year you're there. Harder in the warmer months just from2283speaking from personal experience. But when you look at the2284young folks that are coming into uniform service from Kansas,2285the instinct is to go to the bases there and talk to folks, and2286that works. It's good. That's happening.2287    What I see happening less in states across the country is2288actually working with those that are going into the Armed2289Forces, making sure that they're aware of what's in Kansas for2290them when they come back home. Because we make the assumption2291that if they're leaving Kansas, they're never coming back.2292They're coming back. And when they do, you can be there to2293better meet them and support them.2294    Chairman Moran. Mr. Lyon, let me take that one step2295further. So, what should I know about Student Veterans of2296America and how do we connect with those who are already2297students in our states?2298    Mr. Lyon. Yes, I mean, you know, if you want to figure out2299where basketball was invented for the coach over here, there2300are some good places in Kansas to go and do that. But when you2301look at transitioning service members, and I'm going to define2302the non-retiree population, just to segment the population2303enough to have your niche. That portion of the population, 742304percent of them are going to be in a college classroom within230518 months of taking the uniform off.2306    IVMF's data tells us that since 2011, the most common2307reason for an enlistment in the Armed Forces is the opportunity2308for an education, post-military service. And so, one of the2309things that we can look at in Kansas or otherwise, is that the2310majority of that transitioning force that is going to pursue2311education will do so through community college. But the2312majority of those that attend community college won't access2313their GI Bill.2314    They'll be there for on average three semesters, preserving2315their GI Bill to where college is more expensive. That's their2316undergraduate experience and graduate experience.2317    And so, by finding a way to have better identifiers, this2318is again, data. I'm a one trick pony. But having that ability2319at the community college level in Kansas to have an identifier2320beyond, is this student using GI Bill? Are they a veteran? Or2321asking the question more broadly, did you ever serve in the2322Armed Forces? That way you'll know where they are at community2323college and you can better help them as they look to2324matriculate into four-year programs and graduate programs.2325    Chairman Moran. I assume there is statistical evidence that2326hiring a veteran has great benefit. Is that true?2327    Mr. Lyon. Massive, sir.2328    Chairman Moran. Anything you want to put statistically in2329front of me that we ought to brag about?2330    Mr. Lyon. So, LinkedIn's data is phenomenal in this,2331veterans without any access to education training or anything.2332When they separate from the Armed Forces, they already possess2333nine out of the 10 most desirable skills. I didn't say2334credentials, skills that today's employers are looking for.2335    Chairman Moran. Okay. We talked about, Senator Blumenthal,2336I'm about done. I go last mostly so that no one has to stay if2337they don't want to. We were talking about the Fox grants. I'd2338compliment Senator Boozman, at least as I recall, that was a2339legislation that he introduced that was then included in the2340Scott Hannon Act that I think this Committee is very proud of.2341    I've introduced legislation, the Hope for Heroes Act, that2342would reauthorize the program for five years, and the bill2343would increase the grant amounts to $1 million. This bill2344passed this Committee unanimously in July. And so, we have a2345legislative item that would be of interest to you and we'd2346welcome your support among our colleagues.2347    And that program is not currently active as I think we were2348talking about because of the shutdown. But that it's the first2349time, as I understood, back in the day in which we did this,2350that the VA became a grantor agency. In my view, they were slow2351to implement, but it was one of those things that I thought we2352were doing that had great potential. And I hope to see the2353continued use and fruition and benefit that comes from that.2354    Senator Blumenthal, did I take up more time that you want2355to respond or Senator King, you're good. Oh, no, I shouldn't2356have said that.2357    [Laughter.]2358    Chairman Moran. I thought they'd both say no.2359    Senator King. You all now know what the filibuster is?2360    [Laughter.]2361    Chairman Moran. I'm supportive of the filibuster.2362    [Laughter.]2363    Senator Blumenthal. That's good to hear.2364    Senator King. Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.2365    Senator Blumenthal. I'm all set. My thanks to the2366witnesses.2367    Chairman Moran. Alright. Let me do one thing that may2368prolong the meeting. It did the last time, it doesn't need to,2369but is there anyone who wants to make certain that something2370that needed to be said that wasn't said, wants to say it? Oh,2371Mr. Hutchings.2372    Mr. Hutchings. Yes, Mr. Chairman, just one point that you2373were asking the panel of, what should I be informing veterans2374returning to my home state? What should I put on social media2375or my website? I think one of the things to look at, especially2376to Mr. Lyon's point, about 80 percent returning back to the2377state that they come from or where their spouse is from.2378    It's looking at the state agency level from a secretary and2379commissioner of your either department of Veteran Affairs,2380department of Veteran Services, what systems in place. That's2381what we very typically see in states, is people returning their2382communities and very quickly connecting with those state2383agencies for local support.2384    We've done an analysis of all 50 states and over 95 percent2385have no digital infrastructure or service delivery mechanism.2386It's a website with signposting and a directory which becomes2387outdated. There is no continuum of care, no closed loop2388process.2389    So, looking internally at that state system of support,2390whether you could recommend that, or provide a little nudge to2391get the state moving forward would be something I would2392recommend sir.2393    Chairman Moran. That's a really good suggestion, thank you.2394Mr. Galui.2395    Colonel Galui. Yes, Mr. Chairman. Not to prolong too much2396longer or complicate our challenges before us, I have two2397comments. One, as we think about taking care of today's2398veterans and improving the transition experience for currently2399serving members, I just also encourage us to think about the240012- and 14-year-old kids, who today don't know that maybe in 152401or 20 years, they themselves will be veterans of whatever is2402ahead. So, our work is doubly or triply important on that2403front.2404    The second comment I'll make in terms of how do we reach2405veterans, specifically what social media platforms we might2406think about today and into the future. We've learned at the2407Bush Institute that our foreign adversaries are deeply embedded2408in some of our social media and are deliberately targeting2409veterans to undermine trust in the delivery of care.2410    And so, as we kind of progress through this evolution of2411our own transition and how we reach people in the digital2412space, just recognizing that there are those out there who want2413to undermine our own way of life, that will make transition2414that much more difficult.2415    Colonel Carson. Chairman Moran?2416    Chairman Moran. Yes, ma'am.2417    Colonel Carson. I would love to share a bit, as Members of2418your Committee have said, technology is important, but2419technology is not the solution. It does enable many of the2420solutions that we proposed here. And I believe it was Senator2421Slotkin who said that she wants a one stop shop. I'd recommend2422instead, no wrong door. And that's what we can provide.2423    If you picture the different networks that Mr. Hutchings2424has developed, and we are working with our communities of2425practice and intend to do even more with the Veteran Employment2426Collective. I'd say those might be patches of networks, but2427they can be a quilt that are interconnected, so that there is2428no wrong door.2429    And one of the things that the Committee can do with us is2430build on what Mr. Lyon suggested. The data sharing among the2431agencies and sharing where possible with VSOs so that we cannot2432be reactive, we can be proactive in our solutions and have them2433to be evidence-based and held accountable. We want that from2434our services and we expect that from our agencies as well.2435    Chairman Moran. It's a very nice summary. Mr. Galui, I2436would say that I always look in the audience when I'm speaking2437to try to find someone who smiles and nods while I speak. You2438brought two of yours with you. I've been able to see them both.2439You have not. They were very supportive of your testimony and2440answers.2441    Colonel Galui. I'm grateful for their support. Let the2442record show that. Thanks.2443    Chairman Moran. We're going to bring this hearing to a2444conclusion. A couple of magic words I need to say. Each Member2445of the Committee has five legislative days in which to submit2446statements or questions for the record. I ask any Senator who2447would like to submit a question for the record to today's2448witnesses to do so in a timely manner.2449    In other words, the Members of the Committee have an2450opportunity to ask you in writing questions that we would want2451you to respond to. And we want you to respond to those2452questions for the record received in a timely manner as well.2453And with that the Committee hearing is adjourned.2454    [Whereupon, at 6:11 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]24552456                            A P P E N D I X24572458                          Prepared Statements24592460[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]24612462                        Questions for the Record24632464[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]24652466                       Statements for the Record24672468[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]24692470                       Submissions for the Record24712472[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]24732474                                  [all]