For more than a decade, our nation’s veterans have trailed non-veterans in education outcomes. We can do better.  We must do better.  We will do better.

It is time for student veterans, higher education, veteran service organizations, federal agencies and private sector advocates to come together for the benefit of the next Greatest Generation; to commit to being “Better for Veterans.” We must set common goals, define unacceptable behaviors and encourage best behaviors.  If we do this, our nation’s most deserving will maximize their rich post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, we will educate the next Greatest Generation and in doing so, we will enable them to inspire and lead our great country.

For student veterans, that means communicating what is important, then working together on campus to achieve those goals.

For higher ed institutions, that means better recruiting practices, helping veterans transition socially and academically into a campus environment, creating a more enjoyable experience while a student and a better employment outcome when it’s done.

For VSOs, that means influencing our elected officials to pass laws that let student veterans maximize the use of our educational benefits.

For government agencies, that means setting clear definitions of unacceptable behavior, writing policy with clear standards and providing the most up-to-date information on school compliance.

For private sector advocates, that means sharing best practices among schools, encouraging higher standards, incentivizing our best schools to invest in student veterans and connecting higher ed to employers to maximize employment outcomes for student veterans.

I/We hereby commit to being “Better for Veterans.”