IAVA

Veterans didn’t serve alone. Afghan partners fought alongside them, saved lives, and earned America’s promise of protection. Honoring that promise is essential—not only to our values and national security, but to the wellbeing of the veterans who served with them. Today, we see that promise we made to our Afghan allies threatened on several fronts. Recent reporting confirms a freeze on immigration processing – domestically, and for Afghans waiting outside of the United States. We see increased federal enforcement actions taking place within our Afghan communities across the United States. Now is a crucial moment to reaffirm our commitment to those who served.

Air Force vet Anthony Paolino advocated with IAVA as part of our #IAVACavalry week in March, and he’s back for more as a 2025 Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellow 👏👏 He’s a longtime veteran advocate fighting for AUMF reform, keeping the promise to our Afghan allies, and alternative therapies 🙌 #veteransoftiktok #veterans #veteranadvocate

Why did 2025 Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellow Devin Wozniak join the #IAVACavalry in the first place? He’s part of the 74% of IAVA vets who agree: our democracy isn’t working. @devinwozniak6 #veteransoftiktok #veterans #democracy

IAVA’s Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellows all have a true passion for veteran advocacy, but as advocates, there’s often one issue that gets us extra fired up. For Daniel O’Dell (@THE FLUFFY POODLE) that’s education benefits 📚🎓 Daniel and the 2025 cohort will be pushing for the benefits our post-9/11 generation of veterans has earned this October in DC. #IAVACavalry #veteransoftiktok #veterans

Meet Sameer! He joined #IAVACavalry in a virtual cohort and is back to take the next step in his advocacy journey as a Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellow 🙌 Any fellow Marines out there? #veteransoftiktok #veterans

IAVA is excited to have longtime #IAVACavalry member Abby Malchow back with us as a Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellow this fall 🙌 Honored to have her carrying on his legacy of advocacy.

Today is World Suicide Preventuon Day - a cause near to our hearts and central to our mission at IAVA. One of our Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellows Devin Wozniak is sharing his personal story of struggling deeply with mental health, as a reminder that we can help our battle buddies and loved ones feel less alone. 🙌🙏 Please watch and share your own story with us, in the comments. 🤍 #veteransoftiktok #mentalhealth #mentalhealthmatters

Introducing one of our newest cohort of fellows, the inaugural group of Zach McIlwain Leadership Fellows. John Witt is a Marine veteran from Utah with two decades of service under his belt. For those twenty years he saw troops deployed under the exact same authorization by Congress. Now as an advocate, he’s calling for Congress to do their job and reform these outdated AUMFs. John will be in DC with us next month to meet with leaders on this topic 🙌

IAVA CEO Ky Hunter joined leaders including Senator Blumenthal and Representative Takano outside Capitol Hill yesterday to represent the 70% of IAVA members who want the VA to protect women veterans’ healthcare. #veterans #veteransoftiktok #womenshealth #womenveterans

From virtual #IAVACavalry, to DC Fly-In, to Membership Team. Jerritt Lynn is the definition of #VetsRising to help our siblings in arms. Join IAVA today to add your voice and get a seat at the table 🙌 #veterans #veteransoftiktok #veteranadvocate

Join Team IAVA for the Iraqi Children Foundation “In Their Shoes” 5K Walk/Run on September 6! Learn more and register at the link in bio! 😎🏃🏃🏽‍♀️

IAVA CEO Dr. Kyleanne Hunter testified before Congress yesterday, sharing data and personal experiences with VA direct care. The House Veterans Affairs Committee panel heard testimony from advocates about community care vs VA care for veterans like those at IAVA. Post-9/11 vets have unique health concerns including from toxic exposure. We must ensure that veterans have choices and can ALL receive the care they’ve earned.

IAVA CEO Dr. Kyleanne Hunter has had a jampacked first month in the role - we finally got a moment for her to introduce herself to TikTok. A Marine Corps veteran, with tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Ky is here to lead IAVA and continue our legacy of leading and winning for America’s vets. #veteransoftiktok #veteranadvocate

#IAVACavalry advocate Stephen Mandile aka @The Kindness Guy shared his story as a survivor of PTSD on the national stage June 6 in DC. Now he’s back for Talking Head Tuesday to talk about IAVA’s fight for PTSD awareness and support. 🙌🙌 #veteransoftiktok #veteranadvocate #vetsrising #ptsd #mentalhealth

Are you a veteran passionate about improving veteran lives? IAVA wants you! Apply today to join the virtual cavalry! Link in bio. #veteransoftiktok #veterans #veteransissues #youngveteran