By Brianna Wallen
News Editor
Coordinator Veteran, Military and Adult Learning Support Britt Conroy.
As President Trump’s administration and Elon Musk push forward with efforts to dismantle key components of the federal government, military veterans are also being caught in the crossfire.
Musk’s proposed initiative, Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), aims to cut government operations.
“VA is conducting a department wide review of its organization operations and structure,” Doug Collins, secretary of VA, said, in a response to DOGE. “Central to these efforts is a pragmatic and disciplined approach to eliminating waste and bureaucracy, increasing efficiency, and improving health care benefits and services to veterans.”
This sparks concerns about its potential impact on essential services for veterans that the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, VA, provides.
To carry out this plan, Collins outlined a clear strategy for reducing the department’s workforce while maintaining healthcare and other benefits to veterans and VA beneficiaries.
“Our goal is to reduce VA employment levels to 2019 end strength numbers roughly 398,000 employees–from our current level of approximately 470,000 employees,” Collins said.
With a 15% cut, this left many veterans feeling uneasy.
One of these people is Britt Conroy, a coordinator veteran and military and adult Learning support. Conroy, who served in the U.S. Air Force for seven years, said she is nervous about the implications these cuts could have.
“The idea of veterans losing their jobs is concerning,” Conroy said. “There’s also been a fair amount of outrage from veterans.”
The VA announced on Feb. 24 the dismissial of over 1,400 employees in non-essential positions. These roles include DEI-related positions and other roles.
According to the Associated Press, The Department of Veterans Affairs is planning to cut over 80,000 jobs that provide services for veterans.
Elon Musk has been running DOGE since President Trump was sworn in on January 20, 2025.
Despite this, Conroy said she remains optimistic that the VA will continue to honor its commitment to providing benefits to those who have served, especially student veterans.
“They’ve been pretty stern about not having cuts to services and compensation, so I’m hoping that students are able to utilize their VA benefits, which includes education and healthcare,” Conroy said.
With limited information displayed by the VA, Conroy said she hopes the organization will take the right steps in addressing the situation.
“There still isn’t a lot of specifics, so I think because there’s so much so quickly it adds to the level of uncertainty,” Conroy said.
For veteran students or family members of veterans who are concerned about the potential impact of these changes, Conroy said that she is a resource students can turn to for guidance and support.
“I recognize that there is a lot of uncertainty and with that comes a level of fear,” Conroy said. “I’m here for them, if they have questions or want to talk.”
Conroy’s office, located in the Veteran Center in Engleman Hall, Room A 012 offers tailored support for veterans and their families.
Conroy said the center is able to connect veterans with access to various services, resources and people.
“It’s a place for them to come and be in a community with one another,” Conroy said.
The Veteran Center is open 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. monday through friday.
“The military connected students have that shared experience, and the center is available for them to socialize and relate to each other,” Conroy said.
