By Linda Tran, Summer 2013 CLASV Student Advisor

When the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) became effective in 1996, it prevented the federal government from recognizing the legal marriages of same-sex couples for the purpose of federal laws or programs.[1]  Same-sex spouses were denied federal benefits such as Social Security, veterans’ benefits, health insurance, and retirement savings. Read more

By J. Justin Collins, CLASV AmeriCorps Summer 13 Fellow & Student Advisor

Since 2001, approximately 2.2 Million servicemen and women have deployed overseas in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (“OEF”) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (“OIF”). [i]  Of these deployed servicemembers, 36.7% took small arms fire, 48% killed an enemy combatant, 51% handled human remains, 28% were responsible for the death of a non-combatant, and 86% knew someone who was killed or seriously injured. Read more

By Eric Cheung, Summer 2013 CLASV Student Advisor

Wouldn’t you agree that our Armed Forces should accept any individual who is well-educated, has no criminal past, and most importantly, is ready and willing to serve our country?  In fact, this is not the case for undocumented immigrants.   Read more

By Alyssa Digiacinto, GMUSL ’13, CLASV Spring 2013 Student Advisor

Instituting a legal action can be unpleasant.  It can be even more so when you are unable to locate a necessary party. What if that party you are trying to locate is a servicemember? Read more

 By Jessica O’Connell GMUSL ’13, CLASV Spring 2013 Student Advisor

Military divorce cases involve a complex convergence of state and federal laws.  States vary in their interpretation and application of the federal laws governing veterans’ disability benefits and their use in divorce proceedings.  Read more

By:  John Austin Timberlake, CLASV Spring 2013 Student Advisor

The prospect of filing for divorce and process itself can be difficult in any marriage, and there are many challenges that couples must face and issues that neither thought of going into it.  Read more

By:  Rebecca Cohen, CLASV Spring 2013 Student Advisor

As the war in Afghanistan continues into its twelve year, and forces from the Iraq War begin to draw down, a new focus has been put on the challenges that servicemembers now confront when they return home.  Read more

By:  Linda Santiago, CLASV Spring 2013 Student Advisor

Currently, one veteran commits suicide every 80 minutes.  Some estimates state that 150,000 Vietnam Veterans have committed suicide.  This is not a new problem, but rather an enduring one.  What can be done to address this epidemic? Read more

By Krista Goelz, CLASV Student Spring 2013 Advisor

In 2012, on average, 9.9% of veterans were unemployed, which is down from an all time high in 2011 of 12.1%. However, it is still much higher than the national unemployment average and equals approximately 205,000 veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are currently without work. Read more