“Let VETS Choose” Tour: Veterans Rally to Protect Choice at Career Schools

Veterans for Career Education (VCE) has launched a nationwide mobilization effort for veterans to protect their right to use their earned education benefit at the college or university of their choice. The tour comes at a time when members of Congress and presidential hopefuls have threatened to cut off higher education choice for America’s veterans.

“The Let VETS Choose tour is about bringing together veterans, and their families, and supporting their right to use the GI Bill® at the school of their choice,” said Steve Gonzalez, United States Marine Corps veteran and executive director of VCE.

In May 2019, nearly 100 veterans came together in Washington, DC to establish VCE after meeting with their elected representative in Congress. VCE also rallied in New Orleans this summer.. Building on this previous success, VCE will now visit over 24 campuses across 11 states to meet veterans and send the message to America’s elected representatives that veterans’ education choice matters.

“As a product of a taxpaying career institution, I believe that limiting a veteran’s right to choose how they use their earned GI Bill® is a clear disregard for the countless sacrifices that they’ve made for this country,” said Carl Walker, director of VCE. “I would not be where I am today without the freedom to use my GI Bill® at the institution of my choice.”
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“Not all student veterans go to traditional colleges and universities,” said Michael Dakduk, Marine veteran and co-chair of VCE. “Politicians and anti-veteran choice advocates must stop marginalizing career schools and the credentials earned at these schools by veterans. This tour will highlight the voices of veterans at career schools.”