Contact: Lolly Rivas

STATEMENT OF COMBINED ARMS BEFORE THE
VETERANS’ AFFAIRS’ COMMITTEE
U.S. SENATE 

Andrew Schneider - Houston Public Media 

Combined Arms is an organization of action. We’re malleable, innovative, disruptive, aggressive, and a little rough around the edges. I’d have it no other way. We struggled, both individually and collectively, with how to process the fall of Afghanistan, as well as how to best support our community. In typical Combined Arms fashion, we went from ideation to action in less than 24 hours. We decided to host a series of community conversations for veterans, for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), and for both groups, together. 

Keith Garvin - KPRC2

In light of Afghanistan’s fall to the Taliban, I find myself at a loss for words, but not emotions. Anger, depression, uncertainty, hopelessness, and anxiety - to name a few. Thoughts back to the grape rows of Zhari District, complete with coloring book contests with the local kids, chai and naan sit downs with village elders, and pre-combat patrol jokes with LT. Ahkmed (one of the greatest and bravest Afghan warriors I fought beside), on one hand, and firefights, IEDs, and fear on the other. 

In 2020, our nation wrestled with the challenges of inequality and social injustice. We took it upon ourselves to stand up for what is right, and to support our broader community in times of need. 2020 also confronted our nation with the value of health and connection in our lives. We learned our own resilience and strength. For Combined Arms, that notion was reinforced as the core of our service model is rooted in health and connection. 2020 further proved our relevance to the community. Focused on the social determinants of health for our veterans and military families, we experienced growth like no other year.

Combined Arms is proud to announce Mike Hutchings as the new Chief Executive Officer. Prior to Mike’s role as CEO, he served as the Interim CEO, and Chief Development Officer for Combined Arms. He led the development, events, marketing, technology, and government relations verticals within the organization. He knows firsthand the obstacles that service members and families face during the transition process, and is proud devoting his time ensuring that veterans are empowered to connect with and accelerate the impact of their communities. 

On Saturday, May 22nd from 10 am to 2 pm, Combined Arms is hosting Snax & Vax at the Combined Arms Transition Center located at 2929 McKinney Street, Houston, Texas 77003. The Houston Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center will be on-site with a COVID-19 Vaccine Drive, the Houston Food Bank will be hosting a Mobile Food Pantry, and Rudy's will be providing BBQ!

Welcome to our newest member organizations!  Since the launch of the Texas Veterans Network in April of 2020 we have welcomed more than 86 member organizations. This explosive growth helps us to serve more veterans and military families across the state of Texas and beyond every single day. Together we wrap our arms around veterans and their family members so they can check out of their unit and check in to ours.