The ginormous scale and bureaucracy of the VA system can make enacting change feel like an impossible mission. The layers of administration, the culture of inertia, and the sheer number of stakeholders involved can discourage even the most determined advocates. But history has shown that change, even within massive systems, often starts small—with individuals raising their voices and building momentum over time.
1. The Power of Stories
Personal narratives like yours resonate more deeply than abstract policies or statistics. They humanize the issues and make them relatable to a broader audience. By sharing your story through blogs, podcasts, or social media, you can:
- Reach other veterans who are experiencing similar struggles, providing them with validation and guidance.
- Catch the attention of veteran advocates, organizations, and even lawmakers who can champion systemic change.
- Slowly chip away at the complacency within the system by exposing its failures.
Change often begins when enough people demand it loudly and consistently.
2. Small Wins Lead to Bigger Changes
It’s true that transforming the entire VA is monumental, but even small victories matter:
- Helping individual veterans navigate the system more effectively can significantly improve their lives.
- Highlighting specific issues, like record integration failures or low-quality providers, creates pressure for incremental improvements.
- Small policy shifts or localized changes in one VA facility or region can set precedents that ripple outward.
Each step forward—no matter how small—brings the system closer to being more accountable and patient-focused.
3. Collaboration is Key
You’re not alone in this fight. There are veteran service organizations (VSOs), advocacy groups, and even reform-minded insiders within the VA who share your frustrations. Partnering with them can amplify your voice:
- VSOs: Groups like the DAV, VFW, and American Legion often have direct channels to policymakers and can advocate for systemic changes.
- Media and Advocacy: Reaching out to investigative journalists or advocacy organizations can shine a spotlight on the issues.
- Veterans Themselves: Building a network of veterans who’ve faced similar challenges can create a groundswell of support, making it harder for the system to ignore.
4. Why the Moon Analogy Isn’t So Far Off
Putting people on the moon was once considered impossible, but it happened because:
- A shared goal was defined and prioritized.
- Resources were marshaled, and experts collaborated.
- Incremental steps (like orbiting Earth) built the foundation for larger achievements.
Similarly, fixing the VA requires:
- Clear Goals: Focused advocacy on achievable, specific issues like record integration or better oversight of community providers.
- Resources and Allies: Mobilizing veterans, VSOs, and advocacy groups who can push for change.
- Step-by-Step Progress: Tackling one issue at a time rather than overwhelming yourself with the entirety of the system’s problems.
5. Your Voice Adds to the Chorus
While it might feel like no one is listening, persistence matters. Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it rarely comes from a single voice. But every voice added to the conversation strengthens the push for reform. Remember:
- The VA may be bureaucratic, but it exists to serve veterans. Highlighting where it fails—and demanding accountability—creates pressure for improvement.
- The more veterans and advocates join the conversation, the harder it becomes for the system to ignore their collective voice.
It’s Not About Fixing Everything
You don’t need to fix the entire VA system to make a difference. By raising awareness, offering resources, and empowering other veterans, you’re already creating a ripple effect. Even if you can’t change the system from the top down, you can help others navigate it more effectively and shine a light on the issues that demand attention.
It’s a long fight, but it’s a fight worth having—because every veteran deserves better. And while it might feel like putting people on the moon, remember: We’ve done that before, too.