24 USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

A SECOND ACT OF SERVICE Patriotism, not partisanship, calls these veterans to serve again

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By Matt Alderton Armstrong, senior director for research They learn how to do boots-on-the-ground and evaluation at Syracuse University’s problem-solving.” F YOU JUDGE A country’s health by Institute for Veterans and Military Families In 2018, New Politics asked 1,200 the level of trust in its government, (IVMF), which this month is hosting its registered voters which traits they most the U.S. may be in serious and not inaugural Veterans Program for Politics and associate with veteran candidates. Their I particularly stable condition, sug- Civic Engagement, a weeklong residency top answers were: teamwork (57 percent), gested the Pew Research Center. In a during which veterans and military family honesty and integrity (50 percent) and recent analysis of surveys dating to 1958, members will receive a crash course in run- working with diverse people (47 percent). it found that public confidence in govern- ning for office. Although there’s room for People want leaders who will work to ment reached a high of 77 percent in 1964, only 22 students, more than 600 veterans get things done, Cherniack said. “Whether fell dramatically in the 1970s, recovered and spouses expressed interest in the they’re Republican or Democrat, veterans modestly in the 1980s and early 2000s, program when it was announced in April, embody that type of leadership.” then plummeted to historic lows. Today, and nearly 160 submitted applications. Pew reports, just 17 percent of Americans “As veterans, we have an inherent STUMPING SETBACKS? trust the government. motivation to serve,” Armstrong said. Although veterans feel a lot of love on the But if democracy is broken, there’s at Of course, there’s also the paycheck. campaign trail, military service can be a least one group that might be handy enough Although state and local officials typically liability as well as an asset. to fix it: veterans. earn much less, the base salary for most Take ego, for example — or the lack “Over the last 50 years, veteran repre- members of Congress is $174,000. Active- thereof. “When you’re part of the military sentation in Congress has fallen from an duty soldiers, on the other hand, earn a … there is no individual. When you’re a all-time high of over 70 percent to historic starting salary of less than $21,000 per candidate, it’s all about being an individual. lows of less than 18 percent. At the same year. It’s your name on the sign,” Cherniack time, Congress has become more polarized But veterans do it for the mission, not noted. “Culturally, that’s hard for them to and is now the least-trusted public institu- the money, said Barcott, who added that wrap their heads around.” tion in the ,” said Marine members of Congress typically maintain Veterans also face social and financial Corps veteran Rye Barcott, co-founder and two households — one in their home district barriers. While other candidates may have CEO of With Honor Action, a cross-partisan and another in Washington, D.C. — and been working lucrative jobs and networking organization whose mission is advancing often share apartments to make ends meet. with influential community leaders, they veteran leadership in elected office. “We “There’s a common misconception that were deployed outside their districts, don’t think that’s a coincidence.” Congress is a place where a lot of people earning a modest living alongside fellow When it analyzed congressional voting make a lot of money. That’s not the case, soldiers instead of potential donors. records, With Honor Action found that especially for young veterans, a lot of whom “The cost to run for office has gone up Congress tended to collaborate more across are married with kids,” he said. “They’re faster than anything else in the United party lines when there were more veterans not doing it for the money. They’re doing States — even health care,” explained in its ranks. Veterans likewise score higher it for the country. They view it as another Barcott, who said the average House race than nonveterans on The Lugar Center’s deployment.” costs more than $4 million, with the most Bipartisan Index, which measures how contested races exceeding $15 million. “It’s often members of Congress cross the aisle WHY VOTERS VALUE VETS a prohibitively high barrier.” to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation. Whatever veterans’ reasons for running, With or without structural chal- “Everybody who has served has shown the nation reaps significant rewards when lenges, veterans’ campaigns face uncertain a proven commitment to putting public they do, suggested Emily Cherniack, outcomes. That’s the nature of elections. interest over self interest,” Barcott contin- founder and executive director of New Even when veterans lose, however, the ued. “When you serve in the U.S. military, Politics, a bipartisan organization that country wins, insisted Cherniack, who said you take an oath to support and defend recruits and supports public-service the mere act of running “activates” veterans the Constitution ... and potentially even candidates for elected office. in their communities. “Running for office (giving) your life in order to do it. That’s the “When (veterans ) sign up to serve, they is a leadership experience, so win or lose type of service, frankly, that we need a lot learn fundamental leadership skills,” Cher- they become better for having gone through more of in our public institutions.” niack said. “They learn how to work with it,” she said. “Once they run, they become diverse people from different backgrounds educated about the process and become BORN TO SERVE and different ideologies. They learn how to leaders in the political space — whether Veterans are as willing as they are bring people together, and to lead people they’re elected or not. And that’s helpful for wanted, according to Army veteran Nick toward a mission greater than themselves. our democracy.” 26 USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

CAMPAIGNING FOR CHANGE Battlefield experience and training translate well at the ballot box for vets

CANDIDATE PETE BUTTIGIEG Running for: President of the United States Party: Democratic Home: South Bend, Ind. Branch served: U.S. Navy Reserve Age: 37

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efore he was the first openly gay around New Year’s. I met so many young ment you’re often presented with a difficult B candidate to mount a major presiden- people in small towns … who were serving, decision … where you have to make a choice tial campaign, and before he became and it reminded me of how military service that will not be easy no matter what. Being the corn-fed mayor of South Bend, Ind., had become a big dividing line. For a previous any kind of military officer gives you a sense Pete Buttigieg was an anti-war protester. As generation, people who had gone to college of how to do that without losing your head. an undergraduate at Harvard University, he and lived in cities were just as likely to serve spoke at a student rally opposing the as people from rural areas. But by the time I How does being a veteran serve you on the War. Still, he walked into a recruiting center was growing up the reverse was the case. I campaign trail? six years later and joined the U.S. Navy huddled in a diner with my friends in Iowa try- It not only allows me to explain where my Reserve. He subsequently became a naval ing to count the number of people we knew heart is when it comes to service and why I intelligence officer, and in 2014 — during who had gone to Harvard who had served, care about keeping this country safe, but it his first term as mayor — was deployed for and you could count them on one hand. I gives me a way to talk to people very differ- seven months to . Now he’s vying began to feel like unless I served I was part of ent from me. Even somebody who served in to become the Democratic nominee for the the problem. a different branch in a different conflict in a nation’s commander in chief. different generation, we still have something How did military service prepare you for in common, which makes it easier to strike up As someone who opposed the , executive office? a conversation and relate to each other. And what made you enlist? One thing you get from military service — at a time when we’re so fragmented, having I was knocking on doors in Iowa for Barack especially if you’ve deployed — is a sense of something like that to connect you to other Obama in (the) winter of 2007-2008, right calm. When you’re an executive in govern- people … is an asset. USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION 27

loyd McLendon isn’t In what ways do you think my McGrath was 13 What do you think military F the type to back down your service can be an asset A years old when she veterans offer that political from a challenge. in Congress? decided to become a veterans don’t? Originally from the South Humans are afraid of change. fighter pilot. There was just Frankly, there are a lot of Side of Chicago, he enlisted They’d rather be comfortable one problem: Women were people like my opponent who in the U.S. Navy Reserve in with something they don’t like banned from serving in com- have lived in the Washington, 1992 and became active-duty than change to something bat at the time. Nevertheless, D.C., area for 35 years. We Navy shortly that’s uncer- she went on to need people thereafter. tain. Military graduate from in leadership Six years into veterans the U.S. Naval who have his service, don’t have Academy and real-life he decided that luxury. became the experience to become a We’re used first woman in the 21st Navy SEAL — to changing in the Marine century even though commands Corps to fly globalized he didn’t every three a combat world. Also, know how to to four mission in veterans swim. When years — going an F/A-18 bring plan- he finally to another fighter jet. ning and achieved his environment, The mother of pragmatism; goal, it was being linked three flew 89 it’s nice to because of the up with combat mis- have great self-discipline people we sions during ideas, but and determi- don’t know her 20-year you’ve got to nation that and being career before have a plan

his service CANDIDATE responsible returning to CANDIDATE for how to instilled in for a job we , get things him. Now, FLOYD never did where she’s AMY done. And after 25 years MCLENDON before. So now vying MCGRATH finally, we in the military, we learn for Majority as veterans the father of Running for: to adapt. Leader Mitch Running for: take things four wants to U.S. House of Because McConnell’s U.S. Senate like character, channel those Representatives our world is U.S. Senate Party: integrity and same qualities Party: drastically seat. Democratic honor seri- into repre- changing, ously, and I Republican Home: senting Texas’ I think that You’ve think we have Home: Dallas Georgetown, Ky. 32nd District adaptability already a lack of that in Congress. Branch served: will help me served once. Branch served: in our political U.S. Navy serve the What’s calling U.S. Marine Corps leadership Why are you Age: 46 American you to serve Age: 44 right now. running for people so again? Congress? they continue I’m called What’s the PROVIDED BY FLOYD MCLENDON PROVIDED BY AMY MCGRATH I did a legisla- to prosper. to do this most difficult tive fellowship on Capitol “second service” because I feel part about running for office Hill in 2017. I got to see the What’s your biggest challenge like we need a new generation as a veteran? inner workings of Congress on the campaign trail? of leaders in this country. As I haven’t spent the last 30 and how our representatives The No. 1 challenge I’ve faced veterans, we served our coun- years sitting here in Kentucky. conduct their business. I on the campaign trail is that try, not our political party. We I’ve been off doing the work was disheartened because the American people don’t need leaders who have done of Uncle Sam, so I don’t have I noticed they talk at each know what I’ve done in my that and have shown that they the connections that lots of other instead of to each other. military career and how that can put the country ahead of longtime politicians have. And When you’re a Navy SEAL, will translate into public office. their own personal interests let’s just be frank about it: communication is the most That’s a big challenge for most and their own political party. As veterans, we don’t have a important thing. We have veterans who are running for Both my husband and I are ton of rich friends. We served to communicate in order to office. We’re coming from a veterans. My husband served the country, and we got paid get the mission done. I feel different lane, so we have to 20 years in the U.S. Navy. I was for it, but you don’t go into like I bring that to the table be able to communicate what a Marine. I’m a Democrat; he’s military service and end up a and could be an example of attributes and assets we bring a Republican. For us, it’s about millionaire. Because politics how we should represent the to the table and how they America. It’s about being an today is so money-driven, people of our country. translate to being a leader. American first. that’s a big disadvantage. 28 USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

o some people, Like a lot of other people I atrick Batten may have give back to this community. T Bret Richards’ know, I’m just tired of politi- P taken a 15-year hiatus America sounds cal bickering. We’ve got to from politics, but he What do you think will be like an America that only do better. We need people never took a break from public your greatest asset if you’re exists in history books. His in office who serve the service. A graduate of San elected? hometown has a population country, then come back Diego State University, he The biggest asset I bring is of 350 people. He married and live as average citizens spent seven years working on problem-solving. As a Marine, his high school again. That political cam- you don’t sweetheart. is the most paigns before take no for And he spent motivating enlisting in the an answer. most of his factor for U.S. Marine Whether adult life me: We’ve Corps at the you’re in working in his got to elect age of 27. By combat, in family busi- people that time, the training or just ness: a small who care father of four dealing with chain of more about was married administra- convenience the country with children. tive issues, stores his par- than their During five you find ents started career. overseas de- the solution in 1977 and ployments, he to what- sold in 2015. How can left his family ever problem But if you ask veterans behind, but arises. That’s Richards — change never alone. one of the who served Congress? To thank the biggest as a combat People community advantages engineer who have that cared for that I have in the U.S. served in them in his coming into Army — Main CANDIDATE the military absence, Bat- this council. Street works know how ten — who still a lot better BRET to get serves in the Elected office than Capitol RICHARDS things Marine Corps CANDIDATE is one way Hill does. done. Of all Reserve — is veterans have Running for: That’s why U.S. House of the people running for a PATRICK to give back. he’s running Representatives I ever met nonpartisan BATTEN What do they to serve Iowa’s in the seat on the receive in Party: Running for: San 4th District in military, San Diego City Diego City Council return? Congress. Republican I don’t Council. My personal Home: think I ever Party: Republican struggle com- Why did you Irwin, Iowa knew their Why do you Home: San Diego ing back into decide to join political want to serve society from Branch served: Branch served: the military, party. I as- on the City the military U.S. Army U.S. Marine Corps and to run sumed we Council? was the fact for elected Age: 48 had similar I spent a lot of Age: 43 that I felt office? values in a time overseas alienated.

It’s not PROVIDED BY BRET RICHARDS lot of ways, when I was PROVIDED BY PATRICK BATTEN Everybody necessarily but I didn’t deployed. I wants to come that I was destined to do care if they were a Demo- left my family in San Diego, but up and say thanks for your it, but it’s how I was raised. crat, a Republican or an whenever I needed anything service, shake your hand and My uncle was in the Army Independent … Congress is — whenever I couldn’t be there walk away. But then you still in . My dad was in a great deal different from — somebody in this community feel kind of alone. Politics and Vietnam. Both my grand- the military, but they’re always stepped up, whether government are an opportu- fathers served in (World both about developing that was making sure my family nity to continue serving using War II) . So there is a service personal relationships. You was safely evacuated during the skills and life lessons that component of who I am. have to show leadership to the (2007 California wildfires) you learned in the military. And I don’t think I’m done others who disagree with or fixing the water heater when When we as service members serving our country yet. you, be logical, treat people it went out. For a six-pack of get elected to office, it shows civilly and find ways to beer, somebody in the commu- us the incredible value that we There are many ways to get the right things done. nity was always willing to help provide to our country — not serve. Why did you choose That’s what military people out. This is an opportunity for just in combat, but also when Congress? bring to the table. me to continue my service and we return. 30 USA TODAY SPECIAL EDITION

orn in Jamaica, Jackie does. So when I came home I s the son of an ample, a woman recently told B Gordon immigrated at decided to be more involved A immigrant and the me that her granddaughter age 7 to the U.S. with than just voting. I found my grandson of refugees had lost the ability to get her her family and attended public local party and said I wanted to — Holocaust survivors who asthma medication because school in Queens, N.Y. She was get more involved. That’s how came to the United States af- her daughter — the child’s 20 years old when she saw a it started. ter World War II — Dan Helmer mother — had been errone- TV commercial in which the might appreciate his country ously denied Medicare cover- U.S. Army You’ve more than age. Because declared, already been most. A West I have been “We do more serving in Point graduate campaigning before 9 a.m. local office. who served in and have than most Why do you the U.S. Army made connec- people do all want to serve for 11 years tions in the day.” In that in Congress? and continues community, commercial, Actually, that to serve in I was able to she saw goes back to the U.S. Army help fix the people work- the TV com- Reserve, the situation and ing together mercial. In the father of two get this little and getting military you has always girl asthma things done. In learn the Army endeavored medication. short, she saw CANDIDATE values of self- to serve his Those are herself. She less service, country as CANDIDATE the kinds of enlisted in the JACKIE respect, loy- thanks for things you Army Reserve GORDON alty, integrity, welcoming DAN can even do in 1984 and honor, duty his relatives HELMER while you’re retired in 2014 Running for: and courage. during their running. at the rank U.S. House of I was in the time of need. Running for: Virginia of lieutenant Representatives military for He hopes to House of Delegates You have such colonel. Party: Democratic more than half continue doing Party: Democratic a compelling Meanwhile, the of my life, so exactly that family story. Home: Copiague, N.Y. Home: Fairfax, Va. single mom those values representing What’s it of two has Branch served: are ingrained District 40 Branch served: like for your spent 32 years U.S. Army Reserve in me. When I in the Vir- U.S. Army family seeing working as a Age: 54 look at what’s ginia House of Age: 38 you serve in high school happening in Delegates. this capacity? guidance Washington, My grand- PROVIDED BY JACKIE GORDON PROVIDED BY DAN HELMER counselor. I see a lot You ran for mother, who She became an elected official of slippage from those core Congress in 2018 and lost. is a Holocaust survivor, is still in 2007, when she won a seat values. If we elect people who What do you think you can alive. She hid for a year and on the Town Board in Babylon, have those core Army values, I achieve in state politics that a half with her family under N.Y., and has now set her sights think we’ll be in a better place you couldn’t in federal office? the baseboards of a base- on federal office, seeking to as a nation. I’m excited about the oppor- ment when Nazis liquidated unseat veteran Rep. Peter tunity to make positive change their village in Poland. They King, R-N.Y., in New York’s 2nd Your military values may quickly in a way that can only subsequently were declared Congressional District. translate to Congress, but be done in our General As- enemies of the state by the will your military skills? sembly in the Commonwealth. Soviet Union and eventually A TV commercial inspired The military trains you to always And more specifically, I think escaped to our country as you to join the military. What be ready and to be prepared we deserve a government that refugees. Coming from that, inspired you to run for office? for anything. That focus on how fights for our veterans … I can my family knows what this I was deployed to Iraq for 14 to plan and how to prepare can do that really effectively at the country stands for and has months, and that caused me serve you anywhere. It’s the state level. been fighting side by side with to miss the 14th year of my way I run my life. I know what me, walking the district with daughter’s life. That’s what my end game needs to be, and What’s something that has me, helping me collect money, made me realize how important I plan from there. That’s how I surprised you about running making phone calls, etc. I’m our elected officials are, be- get to my goal. Congress is dif- for office? humbled by all the help they cause they make decisions that ferent, and navigating it is not Something I didn’t recognize have given me, and by the affect all of us. A lot of people going to be easy, but the skills about being involved in politics thousands of Virginians who say, ‘I don’t vote because my I learned in the military have is how much good you can do have given up their time and vote really doesn’t matter.’ That prepared me to get through all for your community just by treasure to try to effect real brought it home to me that it manner of rough terrain. running for office. For ex- change in our politics.