The National Veterans Association (NVA) is “an organization that provides legal assistance, housing, employment opportunities, business ownership, discharge upgrades, medical assistance, family outreach, and other pressing issues that stand as debilitating factors preventing veterans and their families from receiving the “quality care” deserved throughout mainstream society.”

The American Legion (TAL) is among the oldest veteran organizations in the US. Chartered by Congress in 1919 and comprised of veterans from The Great War, the AL aims “to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, our military, and our communities by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.” Its vision is to mobilize veterans to strengthen the nation. TAL is committed to promoting patriotism and supporting veterans through local community programs. They operate over 10,000 posts and, as the largest VSO, they support over 2.3 million members. They are organized by Departments (states) and local districts (posts). A list of their locations and local leadership can be found here.

“The Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) is the voice of women who have served or are currently serving in the military. We are a member-driven network dedicated to supporting, connecting, and advocating for the individual and collective needs of service women; past, present, and future. Through legislative advocacy and research, SWAN has played a major role in opening all military jobs to service women, holding sex offenders accountable in the military justice system, eliminating barriers to disability claims for those who have experienced military sexual trauma, and expanding access to a broad range of reproductive healthcare services for military women.”

The American GI Forum (AGIF) is a congressionally chartered Hispanic veterans’ organization. The AGIF is dedicated to addressing the problems of discrimination and inequities endured by Hispanic veterans after World War II. The organization has chapters throughout the United States. “The AGIF has been in the forefront in civil rights struggles, such as advocating for Hispanic Veterans Benefits, desegregation of schools, voter registration, fair judicial proceedings, and combating media stereotyping and distortions.”

American Veterans (AMVETS) is a congressionally chartered veterans’ organization representing the interests of 20 million veterans. AMVETS aims “to enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy, and services.”

Victories for Veterans (VV) is “dedicated to a single purpose: empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. We accomplish this by ensuring that veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fighting for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill; and educating the public about the great sacrifices and needs of veterans transitioning back to civilian life.”

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is a community of more than 425,000 members who “use data and stories to catalyze needed, positive change for America’s veterans.” Their signature program, Quick Reaction Force, “helps veterans navigate the complex road map to quality free services.”

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VWF) mission is to foster camaraderie among United States veterans of overseas conflicts, serve veterans, the military, and our communities, and advocate on behalf of all veterans. They operate over 4,000 posts throughout the country. A list of VFW locations can be found here.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) supports disabled veterans of all generations and their families by empowering them to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. In addition to disability claims support and their chapters, DAV provides more than 700,000 rides for veterans attending medical appointments. You can find the local DAV chapter here.

PVA’s mission is to change lives and build brighter futures for seriously injured veterans. PVA is dedicated to veterans’ service, medical research, and civil rights for people with disabilities. There are 72 National Service offices and 32 chapters that help empower veterans, and they can be found here.

AMVETS’ mission is to enhance and safeguard the entitlements for all American Veterans who have served honorably and to improve the quality of life for them, their families, and the communities where they live through leadership, advocacy, and services. They have over 1,400 locations throughout the country, which can be found here.

VVA’s goals are to support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans. VVA’s motto is “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”