Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance

Our Military Leaders Should Mirror the Face of America

Reflecting the enlisted troops they lead and the public they protect.

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The Current Situation

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Commentary: Here’s How DoD Can Fix Its Lack of Hispanic Leaders

Military Officers Association of America

HVLA is calling for more mentoring of junior officers to strengthen retention of Hispanics in the military. The HVLA lists combat arms as one of the career areas that needs extra attention.

CHC Highlights Key Resources for Noncitizen Servicemembers and Veterans

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Launch of a new online resource hub for military servicemembers and veterans seeking naturalization and assistance with deportation cases.

Few Latinos hold high-ranking positions in U.S. military

NBC News

Latinos make up 17% of active-duty members, but only 8% of the officer corps and 1% of general and flag officers. NBC News’ Tom Llamas reports on the obstacles Latinos are facing and looks at the efforts to bring change.

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Leader's Corner

Apr 21, 2025

Key Information About Parkinson’s Disease for Hispanic and Latino Veterans

More than 110,000 veterans with Parkinson’s disease (PD) receive care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). For everyone with Parkinson’s, an accurate diagnosis is critical because treatments and resources are available to help people with Parkinson’s live better lives. Many U.S. military veterans with Parkinson’s have access to specialized medical care and financial assistance through the VA

Read the full article

Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) and the first Latino to hold this prestigious position in charge of leading the professional development of the Corps of Cadets.

Jun 12, 2024

HVLA congratulates Brigadier General RJ Garcia's appointment as the Commandant of Cadets of the USMA

Colonel Jim Saenz, U.S. Army (retired), presents the HVLA congratulatory letter to Brigadier General RJ Garcia, U.S. Army, during the change of command ceremony at West Point on 14 June, 2024. BG Garcia is the 81st Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy (USMA) and the first Latino to hold this prestigious position in charge of leading the professional development of the Corps of Cadets. Our country's future Army officers have a top notch leader and warrior at the helm.

Read the full letter from Board Chairman Joseph Medina

Life Lessons

Colonel Rico Rodriguez shares his life story and the importance of education and his Hispanic heritage. During his 26 year career, he became the air combat fighter pilot with an impressive three kills of enemy aircraft flying the F-15.

Listen to the interview on Veterans Radio

Mentoring by Rear Admiral Will Rodriguez

As I climbed my career ladder to Flag Rank, I began to realize the importance of mentoring and how mentoring helped me climb that ladder. A mentor is someone who is not necessarily older, but someone who is wiser and more experienced in your field of endeavor.

Roy P. Benavidez

Master Sergeant.
Detachment B-56, 5th Special Forces Group, Republic of Vietnam

Roy P. Benavidez (born August 5, 1935) distinguished himself by a series of daring and extremely valorous actions on 2 May 1968 while assigned to Detachment B56, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1st Special Forces, Republic of Vietnam. His fearless personal leadership, tenacious devotion to duty, and extremely valorous actions in the face of overwhelming odds were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service, and reflect the utmost credit on him and the United States Army

The Medal of Honor is the United States of America's highest and most-prestigious personal military decoration that may be awarded to recognize U.S. military service members who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.