Military Advocacy – How and Why Jun 13th

Join Jason Torpy, President of MAAF and Army Captain, and Jason Lemieux, CFI Director of Government Affairs and former Marine Sergeant, for training on advocacy about and by military members and veterans. Both are also Iraq war veterans. The discussion will be hosted by the Sarah Levin, Director of Grass Roots and Community Programs for the Secular Coalition for America. Training will be held online June 13th at noon eastern time, no charge.

View the webinar here if you missed the original broadcast

Training will include current status and history of advocacy on Humanist identity (dog tags), equal support during basic training, secular oath protections, and chaplaincy by and for humanists. Training will also provide information on boundaries and best practices military personnel should keep in mind when lobbying. Military personnel can lobby, even in uniform, though there are restrictions to keep in mind. The military commands significant respect, and should, due to our personal experience and investment in government policies. Your voice is valuable and needed. Whether you are a veteran or still serving, stand up and be heard. We need you.

This training will give you important background as well as guidance to best maximize your voice.

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As a former U.S. Marine and serving three tours of duty in Iraq, Sgt. Lemieux led an intelligence and infantry team in Ramadi. Coming home, he served as a spokesperson and board member for Iraq Veterans Against the War. He is now Director of Government Affairs for the Center for Inquiry.

After earning a master’s degree from Columbia University in International Affairs, Jason was a fellow in the congressional offices of Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Charlie Rangel (D-NY), and most recently served as a legislative correspondent for U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Jason’s written work has appeared in publications such as Time Magazine, New York Daily News, and Huffington Post, and he has been interviewed on outlets such as PBS Newshour, Al Jazeera English, and even Fox and Friends.

More on Jason Torpy here.