Purpose

Veterans who care about veterans run the National Gulf War Resource Center. What makes us different than some of the larger, more well funded organizations is our flexibility and commitment to speaking out about all issues in the interest of today’s veterans. With ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, our board of directors holds monthly meetings and is able to respond swiftly to breaking news, research, and legal developments. With an adaptable organizational structure, and a dedicated staff and board, the NGWRC accomplished more on our small budget than many of the largest veterans’ advocacy organizations with far greater resources.

A positive, proactive attitude is essential in forming any new organization and must be carried forward during your Member Group operations. Member Group organizers must be prepared to lead, work as a team, and be eager to learn and share. This combination of “can do” attitude and teamwork displayed by the U.S. Armed Forces around the world has contributed to our country’s well-being. The same approach is needed now to pursue the rightful recognition and compensation for veterans’ service and sacrifices made on today’s battlefields.

Mission Statement

The mission of NGWRC is to provide education, advocacy and support for veterans suffering from complexities of modern warfare. The National Gulf War Resource Center is a coalition of advocates and organizations providing a resource of information, support, and referrals for all those concerned with the complexities of service in Southwest Asia (SWA) that comprise of Veterans from Operations Desert Storm (ODS), Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). Especially troubling are the symptoms involving multiple body systems, which have been generically termed, Gulf War Illness or multi-symptom illness, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and PTSD.

NGWRC Core Values: (not necessarily in order of importance):

1. Advocate tirelessly for veterans from SWA issues -
We will promote media awareness and Congressional investigations to ensure that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Gulf War review efforts are comprehensive, correct and supportive of the SWA veteran.

2. Provide educational material and assistance to SWA Veterans and their families -
We are committed to helping veterans improve their chances of receiving over due compensation for their service-connected illnesses. A key component of that commitment is producing and updating a Self Help Guide that covers important topics such as medical research and legislative developments, organizations that support veterans of SWA, lessons learned, and assistance available from federal agencies such as the Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

3. Educate VA, legislators and medical facilities on the complexities of Gulf War Illnesses -
We serve the veteran by informing legislators of provisions needed to protect, treat and compensate SWA Veterans, and we educate medical providers on the wide variety of symptoms and illnesses faced by SWA veterans.

4. Create a diverse, dynamic organization membership dedicated to vital veteran issues -
Gulf War Illness issues affect veteran, scientific, legal, family, and other constituents, as well as current and future service members. To ensure adequate involvement and to prevent repetition of past mistakes, NGWRC solicits from all interested communities and constantly updates its website with relevant and useful information.

5. Review and analyze all relevant government and industry actions, policies, research efforts, and writings concerning Gulf War Era and future veteran’s issues -
We are committed to being a leader in understanding the complexities of Gulf War Illnesses by evaluating new concepts in treatment through collaborations and our organizational present at the Department of Veterans Affairs Research Advisory Committee meetings. We will continue to create and implement progressive policies that maximize results for the veterans, increase public understanding, help create clear understanding of illness issues, and ensure the protection of future veterans.

6. Furthering comradeship amongst those who are or have been members of the Armed Forces of the United States.