Arizona veterans deserve better

It’s time we give veterans the support they need when they come home

When our country needs them, brave Arizonans always answer the call. Our state is home to seven military bases, and over half a million veterans. We owe them a great debt for their service, but our country hasn’t always lived up to its promises to veterans. In the Senate, I plan to change that.

Service is in my blood

My father and grandfather were both veterans. My father was an Army paratrooper before becoming a police officer, and my grandfather served in the Pacific during World War II. Their time in the service played a big part in me deciding to join the military after I graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy. In the Navy, I served as a pilot aboard the USS Midway, flying 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm.

I’ve seen firsthand the great sacrifices our service members make when serving our country. They can go months without seeing their family, all while risking everything to defend our way of life here at home. In return, they’re given the promise that our government will support them when they come home — but it’s no secret that far too many veterans are falling through the cracks during their return to civilian life.

Health care for veterans

The wait-time issues at the Phoenix and Tucson VAs are well documented. Steps have been taken to address them, but I’ve heard from too many veterans that basic access to health care and treatments continue to be an obstacle, especially now during the pandemic. These heroes have already fought for us overseas, they shouldn’t have to fight again just to receive the care they need and the benefits they’ve been promised.

One veteran I spoke to back in September, Shynowah, told me how the earliest she could schedule an appointment through the VA was mid-November. Another veteran told me the prescription medications she relies on have been consistently late in recent months. That’s unacceptable.

Timely health care can be the difference between life and death. The data shows Arizona veterans are twice as likely to take their own lives compared to non-veterans. It’s also estimated that nearly 900 veterans go to sleep on the streets on any given night in our state. These problems stem from a serious lack of mental health care resources. We need to treat mental health care as a critical part of health care and work to expand mental health resources to make them accessible for Arizona veterans.

Setting veterans up for success

For many veterans who return home, transitioning back into the workforce can be extremely difficult. That’s why we have the G.I. Bill. The G.I. Bill has been a critical tool in setting veterans up to succeed after life in the military by supporting them in getting the education and skills training they need to secure good-paying jobs. But there’s so much more we can do to help veterans find a career and support their families.

I’ve spoken with folks from organizations like Acronis SCSVets that go above and beyond to help veterans succeed. Acronis SCSVets is a non-profit that prepares veterans for the jobs of the future with training for high-tech fields, but it doesn’t stop there. With everything from one-on-one coaching to workshops on resume writing, Acronis gives veterans the support that they need to successfully navigate life in the civilian world.

It can be incredibly difficult for a veteran to come home and find a good-paying job right away, even with the assistance of the G.I. Bill. And things have only gotten worse in the wake of this pandemic. One of the most important things we can do for veterans is to get them resources and guidance that will help them find success. That means expanding services for veterans and supporting organizations like Acronis SCSVets that help veterans build their future after service.

How we can help veterans

We owe veterans a debt that can never truly be repaid. They’ve put their lives on the line, taking risks and making sacrifices to defend the United States, both at home and abroad. When they return home, they shouldn’t have to worry about how long they’ll have to wait to receive the care they need. They should have access to the resources and support they need from day one.

My father and grandfather were fortunate to find good jobs after their military service, but that’s not always the case. In the Navy, when we faced problems, we didn’t sit and argue about politics — we worked as a team to get the job done. We need leaders who can put politics aside and work together to solve these problems for our veterans. In the Senate, I’ll fight to make sure the government keeps its promises to veterans and I’ll honor their service by continuing our pledge.