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Quil Lawrence Quil Lawrence is a New York-based correspondent for NPR News, covering veterans' issues nationwide.
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Quil Lawrence

After Combat Stress, Violence Can Show Up At Home

Stacy Bannerman testifies before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs in 2006. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images hide caption

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Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images

Shots - Health News

After Combat Stress, Violence Can Show Up At Home

In a minority of cases, violent behavior accompanies post-traumatic stress disorder. Military spouses can become victims, and there are few resources around to help them.

After Combat Stress, Violence Can Show Up At Home

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After The Battle, The Harvest: Programs Help Vets Move Into Farming
Courtesy of Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food and Agriculture

The Salt

After The Battle, The Harvest: Programs Help Vets Move Into Farming

As thousands of younger Americans leave the military — which has been downsizing lately — the USDA would like them to consider carrying the torch as older farmers start to retire.

After The Battle, The Harvest: Programs Help Vets Move Into Farming

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Economy

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

Unemployment for recent veterans has hit a historic low, but it's not clear how many veterans are able to use their military experience to get meaningful employment.

Despite Low Unemployment, Veterans Struggle To Find Meaningful Jobs

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For The VA's Broken Health System, The Fix Needs A Fix

Irvin Bishop Small at his home in York, Pa. Quil Lawrence/NPR hide caption

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Quil Lawrence/NPR

Back At Base: Stories On Veterans Choice

For The VA's Broken Health System, The Fix Needs A Fix

After scandals around veterans waiting too long for care in 2014, Congress pushed through a $10 billion fix to get those vets care, fast. Now it's almost unanimous: The fix is broken.

For The VA's Broken Health System, The Fix Needs A Fix

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For Fertility Treatment, Wounded Veterans Have To Pay The Bill

The Keils play with their twins, Matthew and Faith, at their home near Parker, Colo., in 2012. Ed Andrieski/AP hide caption

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Ed Andrieski/AP

Shots - Health News

For Fertility Treatment, Wounded Veterans Have To Pay The Bill

U.S. military health care covers the high cost of in vitro fertilization, but the Veterans Affairs health system doesn't. The discrepancy is putting vets with combat injuries in a bind.

For Fertility Treatment, Wounded Veterans Have To Pay The Bill

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Service Members, Not Citizens: Meet The Veterans Who Have Been Deported

Former U.S. Marine Daniel Torres stands outside the Deported Veteran Support House, known as the The Bunker, in eastern Tijuana. David Gilkey/NPR hide caption

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David Gilkey/NPR

National

Service Members, Not Citizens: Meet The Veterans Who Have Been Deported

Military service does not guarantee U.S. citizenship, which has meant a group of veterans has wound up together just over the border in Tijuana, Mexico, at a refuge they've dubbed "The Bunker."

Service Members, Not Citizens: Meet The Veterans Who Have Been Deported

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Politics

Veterans' Advocates Highlight Progress On Homelessness, Claims Backlog

New Year's day 2016 is the deadline for two ambitious goals set at the Department of Veterans Affairs — ending the backlog of disability claims and reaching zero homeless veterans. Neither goal has been met, but veterans' advocates hope momentum on progress isn't lost.

Veterans' Advocates Highlight Progress On Homelessness, Claims Backlog

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Defying Stereotypes, Number Of Incarcerated Veterans In U.S. Drops
Alyson Hurt/NPR

The Two-Way

Defying Stereotypes, Number Of Incarcerated Veterans In U.S. Drops

The study from the Bureau of Justice Statistics is the first government report that includes significant numbers of veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Defying Stereotypes, Number Of Incarcerated Veterans In U.S. Drops

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Business

Advocates Question Whether Veterans Day Promotions Have Gotten Off Track

There's a huge gap between what vets consider real support and self-interested promotions. Advocates welcome businesses goodwill but are leery about the way some use Veterans Day to self promote.

Advocates Question Whether Veterans Day Promotions Have Gotten Off Track

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National Security

VA Restores Benefits To Vietnam Vet After Believing He Was Dead

A Vietnam veteran tells NPR he was recently informed by the Department of Veterans Affairs that it believed he was dead. The VA's records for tens of thousands of other people remain flawed; agency officials say they don't know in many cases whether people are dead or alive.

VA Restores Benefits To Vietnam Vet After Believing He Was Dead

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Behind Bars, Vets With PTSD Face A New War Zone, With Little Support

David Carlson served two tours in Iraq while in the military. Courtesy of David Carlson hide caption

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Courtesy of David Carlson

Back At Base

Behind Bars, Vets With PTSD Face A New War Zone, With Little Support

"For my PTSD issues, jail is the least therapeutic atmosphere you could ever imagine," says Iraq veteran David Carlson. "You come in one way and you leave three times worse."

Behind Bars, Vets With PTSD Face A New War Zone, With Little Support

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World

Thousands Of U.S. Military Interpreters Wait For Visas

NPR follows up on the status of "AK," one of many Afghan and Iraqi interpreters for the U.S. military still waiting for a visa, and why thousands of interpreters struggle with the process.

Thousands Of U.S. Military Interpreters Wait For Visas

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American Dad Fights For The Afghan Interpreter Who Aided His Fallen Son

AK, in a tan T-shirt on the left, his face blurred for his protection, was an Afghan interpreter who worked for the U.S. military. He poses with Afghan commandos in front of a controlled explosion. AK worked closely with American Jonathan Schmidt, in the dark tan shirt and a baseball cap (in the center). AK was with Schmidt when he was killed in a 2012 firefight. AK is now seeking a U.S. visa. Courtesy of Phil Schmidt hide caption

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Courtesy of Phil Schmidt

Parallels

American Dad Fights For The Afghan Interpreter Who Aided His Fallen Son

Some 13,000 Afghans and Iraqis who worked with the U.S. are awaiting visas they were promised. NPR's Quil Lawrence looks at a case involving an Afghan interpreter who was in the thick of the fighting.

American Dad Fights For The Afghan Interpreter Who Aided His Fallen Son

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Politics

U.S. Office Of Special Counsel Calls Out VA Firing Of Whistleblowers

According to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, the Department of Veterans Affairs rarely fires anyone for misconduct — except for the employees who blow the whistle on it.

U.S. Office Of Special Counsel Calls Out VA Firing Of Whistleblowers

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Sports

Melissa Stockwell Among Triathletes Aiming To Make Rio's Paralympics

For the first time, the triathlon will be an event at the Paralympics. Stockwell, an Iraq veteran, has won international paratraithlons before, but she's still got to qualify for the U.S. team.

Melissa Stockwell Among Triathletes Aiming To Make Rio's Paralympics

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