I’m commonly asked why I am supporting military and veteran spaces. My short answer is that I am a proud daughter of a Navy veteran, and I want to support those who are often overlooked. More fully, my desire to be an advocate for the military and veteran community comes from a place of wanting to not just support, but work for real change and make a difference in the lives of those in this community. Advocacy to me is not just an adjective for the type of person I am to be, but also a verb for being someone who makes the change happen.
I know for me personally, I have never been sure how much of an advocate I am. Am I really doing enough or the right things, and am I even making a difference? I’ve found over the years that it is in the small and big things, and every community needs advocates. We all have different talents and passions that can serve others in different ways. Maybe you’re extroverted and good at speaking to and on behalf of your community. Or you’re an artist and design flyers, websites, t-shirts, and informational packets. Perhaps organization is your top skill, and you can mobilize the masses to rebuild homes and ship care packages.
I have come to see three forms of advocacy, all of which are related and intertwined in practice but occur in distinct ways. I will give them the simple titles of: daily, targeted, and culture-changing advocate.
Daily advocates are the ones in the workplace and community. They are mentors to entry-level veterans who just left the service. They are hiring managers who ask for requisitions to be opened in SkillBridge and recruit via transitioning programs. They are individuals who intervene and speak up for others when an inappropriate question or comment is made. They are the ones who are on the lookout to support. During an interview, they are the ones who ask more targeted questions to ensure that the candidate’s relevant military experience and leadership skills are understood to make sure they are hiring the best talent. Daily advocates tend to have more extroverted or bold personalities that enable them to speak up and out, carry both leadership and execution roles, and pitch in wherever they can.
Targeted advocates find a support niche that aligns with their values and lean into it fully. They are the first to sign up for Wreaths Across America and fundraise for donations. If there is a need at a local VA or retirement center, they find a way to fill it. Being a regular volunteer may not be within their time commitments or capabilities, but they will show up every year for community events. And sometimes, they will take on a daily task for a short time to help an effort like a daily advocate! They will encourage their friends and families to participate, and the people around them know that they are passionate about supporting and being an advocate. They are most likely that friend who politely guilts you into volunteering your time with them, and you are always so glad they did. Targeted advocates know that they will do what they can, when they can, and will look for impacts they can make — no matter how big or small.
Big picture advocates look for ways to make systemic change. They may still participate in daily and targeted activities, but they spend most of their time in employee resource groups that build the military and veteran community in the workplace. They develop best practices for hiring and interviewing transitioning or veteran personnel. They create and operate talent programs that provide flexibility for military dependents who still want to build a career. They run the organizations that host those events you always see on the news, fund galas, and dedicate their time fully “to the cause.” Big picture advocates can come from any socioeconomic group, industry, or relation to the military and veteran community, and they all share the same passion to make a tangible change. They are leaders and want to take you with them to see what sorts of change we can make for the community we love so much.
It’s easy to think within any of these roles, “I should be doing more like them” or “I’m not doing the ‘real’ work, I’m just raising the money.” However, a daily advocate signs up for the events the big picture advocate organizes. The targeted advocate gives ideas to the daily and big picture advocate to develop policy around the problems impacting a community. The big picture advocate can’t do it alone and needs help from everyone. Each type of advocate plays an integral role and ultimately shares the same goal — help, change, and improve.
As circumstances change in my life, the type of advocate I am changes with it. I constantly have to remind myself that each person is gifted in such a way that will ultimately serve the broader need, and we all have a place in these communities. Take some time to think about what kind of advocate you are, what skillsets you have, and how you can be a better advocate for the communities you care about.
How Can I Join the MAVAG Community and Be an Advocate?
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