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    • Trump and Hegseth have a real chance to help America’s veterans
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    Trump and Hegseth have a real chance to help America’s veterans

    Umito Posted on

    Our community’s struggles with suicide, personnel retention, and military readiness have left service members, veterans, and their families feeling forgotten and alone.

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    Veterans and their families need greater stability, stronger support and significant improvements to essential services now more than ever.

    Our community’s struggles with suicide, personnel retention, and military readiness have left service members, veterans, and their families feeling forgotten and alone.

    With a second Trump administration on the horizon, veterans worry about what the transition to a new commander in chief and new Pentagon leadership will mean for their benefits, including health care and business support.

    Last week, the president-elect nominated Pete Hegseth, a Veteran of the Military National Guard who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as Secretary of Defense. Hegseth is a decorated infantry officer whose views on women in combat and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives have raised concerns. A sexual assault allegation 2017 election against Hegseth, who is best known as a Fox News host, could derail his Senate confirmation. Hegseth denied the accusation.

    Notice: From “Fox & Friends” to the Pentagon? Trump values ​​loyalty over experience.

    Nonetheless, many veterans hope that Trump will usher in positive change by providing fairly adequate and well-managed support systems and funding.

    Trump expanded health care for veterans

    In 2018, during his first term, Trump signed the Law on missionswhich expanded access to private health care options for veterans unable to receive timely care in the Veterans Affairs system. The legislation was considered a success for the most part, but some worry that another Trump term could lead to an underfunded voluntary assistance system if more resources are allocated to private-sector health care.

    VA educational benefits also improved under the first Trump administration with the Forever GI Billwhich removed the 15-year expiration date on GI Bill benefits. This made it easier for veterans to pursue education and job training later in life.

    The expansion of educational provision, however, has encountered difficulties. Some veterans’ GI Bill benefits were behind schedule in the VA system due to technical difficulties, leading to missed payments and financial hardship for veterans enrolled in school.

    Trump’s pro-business stances have trickled down to seasoned entrepreneurs through tax incentives, deregulation and loan support. Veteran-owned businesses play an important role in the economy, generating $1.3 trillion in revenue each year and employing approximately 5.5 million Americans.

    Notice: As a black woman, Trump’s victory leaves me feeling abandoned by America.

    Business ownership declining among veterans

    Yet veteran entrepreneurship has declined. In 2014, 11% of all businesses were veteran-owned. This figure fell to 8% in 2020.

    Curtis Riggs, Army veteran and founder of Military Influencers Conferencehas helped thousands of veterans grow and maintain business ownership.

    “Veterans are looking for policies that improve support systems to enable innovation and entrepreneurial growth, streamline access to resources, and increase their economic impact,” Riggs told me. “For organizations like (the Military Influencer Conference), it’s about ensuring veterans have every opportunity to thrive beyond their service and providing pathways for them to succeed.”

    The new Trump administration presents both uncertainty and potential for progress. But whatever policies the new administration implements, veterans and their families must be at the forefront of decision-making.

    To honor the sacrifices of veterans, the administration must ensure that support systems are strong and funding is equitable. Only then will the nation prioritize the needs of veterans.

    Marla Bautista is a military columnist at USA TODAY.

    Umito
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