Alabama is considered one of the most military friendly states in the nation. We are currently ranked the second-best state for veterans to retire in, and it is our goal to improve that to number one.

Alabama is home to more than 400,000 veterans, individuals who have dedicated their lives to serving our nation. Despite their sacrifices, many veterans in our state struggle with access to quality healthcare, job placement services, and benefits they have rightfully earned.

The Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) plays a crucial role in addressing these challenges, but to truly meet the needs of our veterans, structural reform is necessary.

By restructuring the ADVA, we can create a system that not only delivers services more effectively, but also ensures that veterans have a stronger voice in state government.

Currently, the ADVA operates within a bureaucratic framework that often slows decision-making and limits direct input from the very individuals it is designed to serve. Many veterans feel that their concerns are not adequately heard or prioritized within the state’s policy-making process. The existing structure can sometimes create barriers rather than solutions, leaving veterans frustrated and underserved.

One of the key issues is the lack of direct representation for veterans in policy discussions. While the ADVA is tasked with advocating for veterans, its ability to do so is hindered by outdated organizational structures that do not prioritize active veteran participation.

By reforming the ADVA, we can create a more inclusive and responsive department that better serves Alabama’s veterans.

I am very proud of the process we have taken in drafting this key legislation. We have worked hard to make sure that everyone has had a seat at the table as we’ve continued to work on and update this bill to make sure that everyone’s input is included. 

Veterans and veterans’ groups, the Governor’s Office, and others have been instrumental in getting this important bill to where it is today. 

The time for reform is now. Our veterans have given so much to our state and our nation, and they deserve a government that actively listens to their concerns and works diligently to meet their needs. 

State lawmakers, veterans’ organizations, and community leaders must come together to advocate for these necessary changes. By elevating the ADVA secretary to a cabinet-level positing and by making the department more responsive and transparent, we can give Alabama’s veterans the strong and influential voice in government that they have earned.

Our veterans stood up for us; now, it’s our turn to stand up for them.

Andrew Jones is a Republican state senator representing District 10, which includes Cherokee, DeKalb, and Etowah counties. He is a small business owner and farmer.