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HVLA Vice President is new member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board

Jun 22, 2022

HVLA Vice President is new member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board

Department of Defense

On November 29, 2021, the Secretary of Defense directed that the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) can resume operations after his Zero Base Review, and on June 09, 2022, he appointed the following new Board members.
U.S. Space Force announces addition to University Partnership Program

Mar 1, 2022

U.S. Space Force announces addition to University Partnership Program

United States Space Force

Recently, the United States Space Force (USSF) announced that Clemson University was added to the list of partner universities. HVLA applauds the effort as minority institutions, both HSI and HBCU, are included on the list.
Caucus Hispano del Congreso destaca nueva ayuda para los miembros del servicio militar y los veteranos sin ciudadanía

Feb 7, 2022

Caucus Hispano del Congreso destaca nueva ayuda para los miembros del servicio militar y los veteranos sin ciudadanía

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Hoy, el Caucus Hispano del Congreso (CHC), el Comité de Asuntos de Veteranos de la Cámara de Representantes y el Comité de Seguridad Nacional de la Cámara de Representantes exaltaron el lanzamiento de un nuevo centro de recursos en línea para miembros del servicio militar y veteranos que buscan la naturalización y asistencia con casos de deportación.
CHC Highlights Key Resources for Noncitizen Servicemembers and Veterans

Feb 7, 2022

CHC Highlights Key Resources for Noncitizen Servicemembers and Veterans

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and the House Committee on Homeland Security lauded the 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

Nov 10, 2021

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

NBC News

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

Top Brass Op-Eds

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

Sep 21, 2022

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.
$60M for one community, zero for Hispanics--yet again!

Jun 28, 2022

$60M for one community, zero for Hispanics--yet again!

For several years HVLA has been pointing out to the DoD that it is failing in its goal to have our military “reflect the face of America” in that the number of Hispanics in its leadership positions falls woefully short of the number of potential candidates to fill them, particularly as compared to the representation of the African-American community.
Gil Cisneros: A life of service towards others

Apr 22, 2021

Gil Cisneros: A life of service towards others

Military Times

The nomination of Gil Cisneros to be under secretary for personnel and readiness at the Department of Defense is welcomed by the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (HVLA) as timely and visionary.
The Need to Address Hispanic Disparities in the Air Force

Jan 27, 2021

The Need to Address Hispanic Disparities in the Air Force

The undersigned recently reviewed the Air Force’s Independent Racial Disparity Review (IRDR) published in December 2020, which focused on disparities affecting the African-American members of the force and provided recommendations to develop systemic action plans for each.
There should be more Hispanics in the senior ranks

Jun 24, 2020

There should be more Hispanics in the senior ranks

Stars and Stripes

The continuing focus on Diversity and Inclusion has become more of a "Race issue" and a "Gender issue" than an "Ethnicity issue".  The Hispanic American population has grown to be the largest minority group in this country, and yet, comparatively speaking, our Armed Forces still do not reflect “the face of the nation” with regard to the Hispanic American population.

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Latest Headlines

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.

Jan 8, 2024

HVLA welcomes Admiral Davids to her new post at the U.S. Naval Academy.

On behalf of the Hispanic Veterans Leadership Alliance (HVLA) I want to congratulate you on your appointment and assignment as the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. This is an extremely important and influential position for the national security of this nation, and we welcome you as a strong leader of both ability and character needed to helm the Naval Academy

Nov 11, 2023

Video: Brig Gen Charlie Martinez speech on Veterns Day 2023

Brig Gen Charlie Martinez speech at the grand opening of the Miami-Dade Military Museum on Veterans Day 2023.

Nov 16, 2022

Letter Requesting that the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Conduct an Internal Review Regarding Latino Diversity

Congressional Hispanic Caucus

As Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), we write to request the Department of the Air Force (DAF) conduct an in-depth internal review to identify barriers preventing Latino servicemembers from rising to the rank of general officer and provide CHC Members with countermeasures and action plans to address any identified disparities.

Sep 21, 2022

Military sexual assault reform is slow going, but that’s the plan

Military Times

It’s been a year since the Defense Department launched an implementation road map for more than 80 projects intended to reform the way the services prevent and respond to sexual assault. Very little concrete change has been made, but there are reasons for that.

Aug 29, 2022

Leading Hispanic Veterans Advocacy Group Calls for More Research Funding at Hispanic Serving Universities

HVLA, one of the nation’s leading Hispanic veterans advocacy organizations calls on the Department of Defense (DOD) to fund research at Hispanic serving research universities.

Jul 27, 2022

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Applauds Markup of the Veteran Service Recognition Act

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC)

Today, the House Committee on the Judiciary held a markup on the Veteran Service Recognition Act that would prevent the unjust deportation of veterans from the country they once served.

Jun 22, 2022

HVLA Vice President is new member of the Reserve Forces Policy Board

Department of Defense

On November 29, 2021, the Secretary of Defense directed that the Reserve Forces Policy Board (RFPB) can resume operations after his Zero Base Review, and on June 09, 2022, he appointed the following new Board members.

Apr 11, 2022

Texas A&M University Kingsville to host book release for Carrington Firmin

Texas A&M University Kingsville

UTSA Military Liaison and retired USAF colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin recently published the stories of 14 veterans and active-duty service members who experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, and misogyny, from the Vietnam era to present, on the anniversary of the murder of US Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood.

Apr 10, 2022

UTSA Press Release: "Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, and Resilience on the MST Battlefield

UTSA Center for Military Affiliated Students

Retired USAF colonel publishes stories of 14 veterans and active-duty service members who experienced sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and misogyny, from the Vietnam era to present, on anniversary of the murder of US Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén at Fort Hood.

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