I look back on my time in uniform very fondly. During my time in the Navy, I built lasting friendships, traveled the world, and, most importantly, created opportunities for myself that I never could have imagined.
Five days after graduating from high school, I was off to boot camp. It wasn’t long after I walked off the bus at RTC San Diego that I started to wonder if I had made the right decision. But there was no turning back.
I was lucky that I met a Chief Petty Officer who saw something in me that I had not seen in myself. He recommended that I apply for a program that led to an N.R.O.T.C. scholarship. From there, I began my educational journey. By the end, I earned my bachelor’s and two master’s degrees — all paid for by the U.S. government.
At times, I felt like I lived the life on the recruiting poster. I led men and women as a young division officer and department head. Being able to do both a Western Pacific and a Mediterranean Deployment, I got to live my dream of sailing the world. I visited places that I know I would have never been to if it wasn’t for the Navy. Don’t get me wrong, it was not all fun and games. There were many long hours at sea and time in the Persian Gulf. Life at sea can be filled with round-the-clock operations and exercises, but the ordinary hardships of sea duty were truly insignificant next to the invaluable opportunities the Navy made possible. It opened doors to an academic future I never would have imagined and continues to provide young people the chance to pursue a trade, career, leadership skills, and an education.
While I take great pride in my service to our country, I am even prouder of my family’s military service.
While I take great pride in my service to our country, I am even prouder of my family’s military service. My father and uncles are Vietnam veterans, and both my grandfathers served in World War II. While I knew my father served in the Army when I was a child, he very rarely ever spoke of his experience. There would be an occasional boot camp story and that was it. Over the years, things have changed. Today, he proudly wears his Vietnam Veteran’s hat and displays his veteran’s pins, but he still is very reluctant to speak about his time in Vietnam. Like many of his generation, my father has silently borne the burdens of war, and he went decades without treatment from the side effects of Agent Orange exposure and undiagnosed PTSD, carrying the invisible costs of service long after the battles have ended.
When I look at my father, I see not only him but also the millions of veterans who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect for the immeasurable sacrifices they made. No veteran should be denied care for mental health, toxic exposure, or any other lasting damage from serving our country.
It’s these lived experiences that still guide me. They’re why when I came to Congress in 2019, one of my first actions was to sign onto the PACT Act, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at ensuring veterans affected by burn pits can receive treatment for the lasting damage caused by toxic exposure. Furthermore, they’re why I reinvigorated the Military Mental Health Caucus earlier this year, with the goal to ensure servicemembers and veterans have access to the mental health services they deserve.
When I look at my father, I see not only him but also the millions of veterans who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect for the immeasurable sacrifices they made.
At the Pentagon, I had the privilege of serving in an Administration that made caring for our veterans a top priority. As the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness at the Pentagon, I worked closely with the VA to push for the implementation of the electronic health records. Every veteran should have access to VA healthcare upon separation from active duty and having DoD and the VA on the electronic health records should ensure a continuation of care without disruption, and make it more likely that each individual will continue to seek care.
This Veterans Day, I am reminded of those who came before me, my family members who inspired me to serve, the mentors that invested in me and guided me in my career, and the brothers and sisters in uniform who became lifelong friends. At the same time, I also think of the future generations of servicemembers and the legacy we are called to build for them — a legacy built on better healthcare, better conditions, and better outcomes for all servicemembers and veterans. Our veterans have earned nothing less than our absolute best, and it is our duty to deliver it.
Born and raised in Southern California, Rep. Gil Cisneros proudly represents California’s 31st Congressional District. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and Committee on Small Business. Rep. Cisneros is a former Naval Officer and Former Under Secretary of Defense. Through ten years of service to our country as a U.S. Naval Officer, Rep. Cisneros was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, the National Defense Medal, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for his exemplary service to his country.