Posted on Thursday, July 17, 2025
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by Jason T. Strickland
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My team sat in the fourth row of the Strategic Operations Center (SOC) on the U.S. Embassy compound located inside the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. We were the intelligence element of Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF-I) and had been known as Combined Joint Task Force 7 a few days prior.
Just like all the other directorates in the SOC, we were an international kaleidoscope of people. I reported directly to an Australian Air Force Group Captain (who chewed me out regularly). On my team, I had an Italian Army Captain (who spent a disproportionate time schmoozing with the ladies), a Dutch all-source analyst (blonde-haired, blue-eyed, and brawny), a U.S. Navy cryptologist (yes, of course, he had a mustache), and a U.S. Army E-6 intelligence analyst (who boasted to me he had held every rank twice).
This transnational, multi-specialty group worked closely together to provide the most accurate assessment and prediction of enemy activities. Appropriately, we were just one team of many teams that made up MNF-I.
That’s how we conduct operations in the U.S. military. During critical operations, we assemble the best teams and leverage their expertise to achieve the most lethal outcomes. Nearly all of us who call ourselves Veterans have been a part of a team, task force, group, regiment, or other deliberate assemblage of units and people.
We’re applying the same concepts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs via the VetResources Community Network (https://department.va.gov/veterans-experience/vetresources-community-network/). We’ve gathered the leaders in their respective fields, the organizations with the furthest reach and the advocates with the greatest passion to collectively serve our Veteran community.
This group of Veteran advocates, which includes non-profits, Veterans Service Organizations, peer networks, community partners, federal and state organizations and others stand ready to connect Veterans to valuable resources.
What is VRCN?
VRCN is VA’s national partner network for outreach and community engagement to co-design collaboration strategies, bridge gaps in service, maximize collective impact and break down silos.
VRCN provides tools, connections, and advice to community partners and outreach collaborators to increase access to VA, build trust, reach underserved and non-enrolled Veterans, and improve community engagement efforts.
This past week, VRCN held its Annual Convening in Denver, Colorado, bringing together more than 250 national (and local) organizations to address this year’s theme: “Prioritizing Shared Action to Prevent Veteran Suicide with Community Partners.”
What difference does it make?
Dr. Lynda C. Davis, VA’s Chief Veterans Experience Officer shared with me this week: “Service members took an oath to be there for each other. This convening carries that oath forward by bringing VA and service organizations together to be there for Veterans when they face challenges and need us most. Some need us most during transition, when they are disconnected from purpose, or in pain from service injuries, financially strapped and homeless, or at risk of suicide.
“VA Secretary Collins has asked us all to work together to rethink the way we support these Veterans with tangible actions and outreach. We know we are most helpful in supporting these Veterans when we connect them to peers in their community, help them file claims for earned benefits and enroll them in the life-saving care at VA.
“All Veteran serving organizations are invited to join us in VA’s national VetResources Community Network of over 800 partners.”
Just like the lethality that comes with joint and combined military operations, a coterie of people and advocates who share a passion for serving our Veterans, can have a similar, practical outcome.
We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no ‘I’ in team.” That same maxim applies to how we can – how we should – help the Veterans in our lives.
Let me “Vetsplain” this
There are a lot of good people with great intentions to serve our Veteran population. There are noble non-profits who identify needs and know how to stand in the gap to assist the Veteran community. There are very profitable businesses with a lot of resources they can dedicate to assist our former service members.
When we act alone, we minimize our impact, create unnecessary work and are less efficient.
But when we come together, we align resources and foster collaboration for exponentially greater outcomes.
That’s what I witnessed this past week in Denver: groups from all over the country working together to connect Veterans to the resources – and support – they need.
If you know of an organization that wants to join the ranks of an effective cadre of collaborators, send them to the VetResources Community Network.
Thanks for allowing me to walk alongside you behind friendly lines.
Victory!
Jason T. Strickland, Lieutenant Colonel (U.S. Army Retired), is the chief communications officer at the VA Rocky Mountain Network
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