In this discussion, Marcus Ruzek, a combat veteran and Senior Program Director at The Marcus Foundation, joins Dan Goldenberg, a retired Navy Captain leading the Call of Duty Endowment. They delve into the vital connection between veterans' well-being and national security. Key topics include the importance of supporting veterans for moral reasons, the challenges they face in transitioning to civilian life, and the urgent need for reform in veteran mental health services. Their insights emphasize that veterans are not just a burden but valuable assets for society.
The intricate connection between veterans' care and national security underscores a moral obligation to support those who served our country.
Philanthropic organizations like the Call of Duty Endowment are significantly more effective than government programs in securing quality jobs for veterans.
Negative public perceptions of veterans pose challenges for military recruitment, necessitating campaigns to accurately portray their contributions and experiences.
Deep dives
Interconnection of Veteran Care and National Security
The discussion highlights the critical link between veterans' care and national security, emphasizing that addressing veterans' issues is a moral and security obligation. Veterans who serve often face significant challenges upon returning to civilian life, including mental health struggles and reintegration difficulties. If society perceives veterans as broken or damaged, this can negatively affect recruitment and overall national security by discouraging future generations from military service. Addressing these perceptions is crucial for both promoting veteran welfare and maintaining a strong military force.
Influence of Philanthropy on Veteran Support
Philanthropic organizations like the Marcus Foundation and the Call of Duty Endowment have played significant roles in supporting veteran initiatives, focusing on employment and mental health. These organizations have been more effective in placing veterans into quality jobs compared to government programs due to their innovative approaches and accountability measures. For example, the Call of Duty Endowment has placed over 150,000 veterans in jobs, achieving better outcomes at a fraction of the cost of federal programs. This also illustrates the necessity for the government to partner with nonprofits to enhance the support offered to veterans.
The Importance of Changing Misconceptions
Persistent negative perceptions about veterans contribute to a reluctance among the public to recommend military service, with many fearing for the physical and mental welfare of serving individuals. Surveys indicate a significant disconnect, as while many admire veterans, a majority would not want their children to enlist. The study reveals that more accurate knowledge about veterans' positive attributes and successful transitions leads to increased willingness to support military service. Thus, changing the narrative about veterans and accurately portraying their contributions is essential for improving recruitment.
Need for Accountability in Veteran Programs
A major concern is the lack of accountability and effectiveness in government programs designed to support veterans, despite substantial budget increases. It is pointed out that the VA's mental health budget has ballooned without yielding better outcomes, with suicide rates remaining alarmingly high. There is a call for more transparent tracking of federal spending and employees' performance metrics to ensure that program funds are allocated efficiently, with successful programs being rewarded while ineffective ones are re-evaluated or cut. Establishing a veteran well-being dashboard is proposed to measure outcomes and improve support systems.
Engagement and Awareness Initiatives
There is a pressing need for targeted outreach and awareness campaigns emphasizing positive veteran experiences to improve public perception and recruitment rates. The veteran community itself can be leveraged; veterans sharing their stories in schools and community events can foster understanding and encourage service. Increased engagement with educators is crucial since they often play a key role in shaping students' views on military service. Developing a comprehensive campaign to inform and educate about the realities of military life and veteran success can significantly alter parents' and students' attitudes towards the service.
Some might think of veterans issues and national security issues separately, but they are intricately intertwined. There's a moral imperative to care for those who have risked their lives to defend freedom. There's also a national security imperative to do so.
This fact raises several questions: How are America’s veterans doing? How well are we taking care of those who have served our country in uniform? How can we do better?
To discuss these questions and more, as well as some new research, guest host Bradley Bowman is joined by Marcus Ruzek and retired Navy Captain Dan Goldenberg.
Marcus Ruzek
Marcus is Senior Program Director at The Marcus Foundation. The Marcus Foundation is a leader in philanthropy, specifically in the areas of military and veterans’ support. He has worked at The Marcus Foundation for over 10 years, supporting its Free Enterprise initiatives, National Security/Foreign Policy, and Free Market Ideals programs. An infantryman and combat veteran, Marcus deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq. He commanded a Special Forces “A Team” which partnered with Kurdish Peshmerga in the fight against Islamic State terrorists (aka: ISIS).
Dan Goldenberg
Dan had led the Call of Duty Endowment or CODE since 2013. During his tenure there, the Call of Duty Endowment has become the largest philanthropic funder of veteran employment, backing more than 150,000 high-quality job placements and driving more than $9 billion in economic value for veterans and their families. Dan is a retired Navy Captain. His military service includes four tours as a commanding officer, as well as serving as a carrier-based naval flight officer, and special assistant to four Secretaries of the Navy. He also has two decades of business experience.
