Who’s Really Making the Calls for Our Veteran and Military Community?

In the Veteran and military-connected community, we talk a lot about service, sacrifice, and the systems designed to support those who have worn the uniform. But over the past few months, a question has been weighing heavily on me—one that I finally decided to bring to the forefront in the latest episode of VetTalks.

Who’s really making the calls for ove Veterans and service members?

Who decides which supports get funded?
Which stories get elevated?
Which programs matter—and which communities get overlooked?

Who decides what resources don’t get elevated? Because from where I sit, I’m watching more decisions being made by fewer people… people with big platforms, big budgets, and big influence. And the rest of us—the 93% who are in direct services in local communities—are often expected to just nod along.

The Moment That Sparked This Question

A few weeks ago, during the height of the shutdown, I listened to testimony before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. It came on the heels of a widely circulated Washington Post article accusing Veterans of “VA disability fraud.”

The room was interesting… Some leaders called the article what it was—irresponsible, if not flat out dangerous. However, others leaned into it.

One individual suggested PTSD is “100% curable.” Another said Veterans “just need to try harder.”

I remember thinking two things: That is 100% false, and are we living in the same world?

Because those of us working directly with Veterans know the real landscape:

• limited in-network behavioral health options and months long waitlists

• broken referral pipelines

• lack of local support services

• and a deep mistrust in systems that have failed too many times

These realities aren’t concepts—they’re daily lived experiences.

And yet, the voices shaping the conversation that day came mostly from national organizations with large budgets, influence, and lobbyists—not the grassroots leaders, small nonprofits, spouses, caregivers, or Veteran-led groups actually responding to the need.

So again I ask: Who’s really making the calls?

The Disconnect Between Power and Proximity

In rooms where big decisions are made, I’ve noticed something consistent and deeply troubling: The loudest voices are rarely the closest to the problem.

There was talk about:

• “expanding telehealth,”

• “reducing fraud,”

• “fixing inefficiencies”

All important topics. But nobody asked the questions that matter:

• Why can’t Veterans find in-network care in the first place?

• Why does telehealth coverage stop at the state line?

• Why do we still rely on outdated referral systems no one trusts?

• Why are local organizations doing 80% of the work with the smallest percent of the funding?

The system rewards proximity to power—not proximity to need.

It’s not that people in these rooms don’t care. I believe they do— but intention and impact are not the same thing.

When decision-makers are far removed from community realities, policy becomes abstract. Funding becomes misaligned. And the people depending on these systems are left navigating gaps that could have been avoided.

The “1% Effect” on Military and Veteran Communities

Here’s a moment that captures the problem.

At a conference weeks ago, a small military spouse–led nonprofit was sharing the growing challenge of food insecurity among military families. She started an initiative out of her garage, but not before she looked for support.

In those early days, with military families struggling right in front of her. Her friend, a lobbyist, responded: “Prove it. We don’t need another organization in this space.”

Imagine saying that to someone who’s lived PCS moves, deployments, childcare gaps, financial strain, and housing instability, and is trying to do something in her community where national nonprofits don’t reach.

That mindset shows the lack of understanding of what it is like day- to- day for military and veteran communities across our country. And, well, that it’s what happens when the 1% controls the narrative.

Lobbyists, national organizations, and well-funded entities are shaping the conversations for entire communities they rarely interact with.

Meanwhile:

• military families are visiting food banks,

• Veterans are waiting months for mental health care,

• grassroots founders are funding programs out of their own pockets.

This is not a resource problem. This is a representation problem.

The 93%: The Unrecognized Builders of Community

Now let’s talk about the 93%—the people who show up without a press release, without a million-dollar budget, and without a seat at the Senate table.

These are the ones:

• running food pantries out of church basements

• mentoring young service members

• supporting families during deployments

• building peer support networks

• providing emergency relief

• answering crisis calls at 2 a.m.

• creating safe spaces for military kids

• offering hope and connection when systems fall short

They’re not paid six figures.
They’re not backed by lobbyists.
They’re not speaking into microphones on Capitol Hill.

But they are the backbone of our military and Veteran ecosystem.

They deserve a seat at the table—not as an afterthought, not as a checkbox, but as architects of the solutions that actually work.

Because policy built from the top down rarely serves the ground truth. Access must be built from the bottom up.

So… Who’s Making the Calls? And What Do We Do About It?

Right now, the calls are being made by the 1%— by people with influence, networks, and access.

But that doesn’t have to be the future.

If you are a Veteran, a spouse, a caregiver, a nonprofit leader, a volunteer, a clinician, a guard/reserve member, or simply someone who wants to make a difference—hear this:

Your voice matters.
Your experience matters.
Your work matters.

You don’t have to prove it to anyone. We need more people willing to:

• get in the room,

• ask the hard questions,

• push back when systems don’t serve,

• and build solutions rooted in community—not politics.

Follow the impact. And refuse to be sidelined.

Meaningful change has never started with those who already hold power. It has always started with the people willing to challenge it.

This is the conversation we’re carrying forward on VetTalk and across Veterans Collaborative.

Join us in building the representation, transparency, and community-led action our military and Veteran ecosystem deserves.

Together—we can change who makes the calls.
Together—we can change the outcome.

Natalie Worthan,

CEO and Founder