War on Terror
2001-Present
75 National Organizations
| 3M+ Deployed Post-9/11 | 7,074 Gave Their Lives | 20+ Years Longest U.S. War | 52,000+ Wounded in Action |
The Longest War
The attacks of September 11, 2001 launched what would become the longest sustained military conflict in American history. Operations Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan), Iraqi Freedom, and subsequent campaigns deployed over three million service members across multiple continents over two decades.
Unlike previous wars with defined endings, post-9/11 veterans often served multiple deployments, returned to civilian life, then deployed again. This era created unique challenges: the invisible wounds of traumatic brain injury and PTSD, the strain of repeated family separations, and the complex transition back to civilian communities that often struggled to understand their service.
Understanding Post-9/11 Veteran Organizations
The post-9/11 era spawned an unprecedented wave of veteran service organizations—many founded by veterans themselves who saw gaps in existing support:
- Transition & Employment – American Corporate Partners pairs veterans with corporate mentors. America's Warrior Partnership coordinates community-level support networks.
- Mental Health & Wellness – America's VetDogs provides service dogs for veterans with PTSD and physical disabilities. Bastion Community of Resilience offers peer support and community connection.
- Military Families – Blue Star Families connects military families with civilian communities. Camp Corral and Camp SHiELD provide therapeutic camping for children of wounded and fallen service members.
- Creative & Alternative Therapies – Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) uses creative arts to support veteran wellbeing.
- Awareness & Advocacy – The Bob Woodruff Foundation raises awareness about veteran challenges and funds innovative programs.
About the War on Terror
Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2014): America's response to 9/11 began in Afghanistan, targeting al-Qaeda and the Taliban. The initial campaign featured Special Forces working with Northern Alliance fighters. What began as a targeted strike evolved into a 20-year nation-building effort that ended with the August 2021 withdrawal.
Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003–2011): The invasion of Iraq toppled Saddam Hussein in weeks, but the subsequent insurgency and sectarian conflict claimed thousands of American lives. Cities like Fallujah, Ramadi, and Mosul became synonymous with urban combat. Operation New Dawn continued through 2011.
The Surge & COIN: Both theaters saw "surge" operations—additional troops combined with counterinsurgency (COIN) doctrine. These strategies required service members to simultaneously fight, build, and engage with local populations.
Multiple Deployments: Unlike previous wars, post-9/11 service members often deployed multiple times. Some served 4, 5, or more combat tours. This repeated exposure to combat created cumulative stress on individuals and families.
The Invisible Wounds: Improved body armor and battlefield medicine saved lives that would have been lost in previous wars—but many survivors returned with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), PTSD, and complex physical wounds requiring years of rehabilitation.
The PACT Act (2022): The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act expanded VA benefits for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances. If you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other post-9/11 locations, you may qualify for expanded benefits.
Ways to Support Post-9/11 Veterans
- Mentor a Transitioning Veteran – American Corporate Partners matches veterans with corporate mentors to help navigate career transitions.
- Support Service Dogs – America's VetDogs provides guide dogs, service dogs, and facility dogs to veterans at no cost.
- Connect Military Families – Blue Star Families builds bridges between military families and civilian communities.
- Help Children of the Fallen – Camp Corral provides free camp experiences for children of wounded, ill, and fallen military heroes.
- Engage Your Community – America's Warrior Partnership helps communities coordinate veteran support at the local level.
PACT Act Benefits: If you served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or other post-9/11 locations, the PACT Act (2022) may entitle you to expanded VA healthcare and disability benefits related to burn pit and toxic exposure. Don't assume you're not eligible—contact the VA or a veterans service organization to learn more.
Mental Health Support: If you or a veteran you know is struggling, help is available. The Veterans Crisis Line is available 24/7 at 988 (press 1). Organizations like Bastion Community of Resilience offer peer support, and America's VetDogs provides service dogs for those with PTSD.
Military Children: The repeated deployments of this era placed unique burdens on military children. Camp Corral and Camp SHiELD provide therapeutic camping experiences specifically designed for children of wounded, ill, and fallen service members.
Organizations Supporting Post-9/11 Veterans
Organization Headquarters Locations
National Headquarters Organizations
75 organizations honoring those who served in the War on Terror
America's VetDogs
"To help those who have served our country honorably live with dignity and independence."
America’s Warrior Partnership
"<p>The <strong>America’s Warrior Partnership</strong> (AWP) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2015 to improve the quality of life for military veterans and their families by strengthening local communities and coordinating veteran support services. AWP focuses on data-driven solutions, community collaboration, and long-term outcomes to address challenges associated with military transition.</p>"
American Corporate Partners
"Veterans and Active-Duty Military Spouses paired with mentors from 1,800+ top organizations."
Arizona Coalition for Military Families
"To connect Arizona's service members, veterans, and their families to the right resources at the right time through collective impact and community collaboration."
Armed Services Arts Partnership (ASAP)
"To use creative arts to support the well-being of veterans and military families."
Association of the United States Navy
"To support U.S. Navy service members, veterans, and their families through education, career development, and advocacy programs."
Bastion Community of Resilience
"To support veterans through peer support, community, and comprehensive services that promote resilience and well-being."
Blue Star Families
"To empower military families to thrive by connecting them with their civilian neighbors, both people and organizations, to create strong communities of support."
Bob Woodruff Foundation - Got Your 6
"To stand for the people who stood for us by raising awareness about the challenges veterans and military families face, and investing in solutions to help support them in the next chapter of their lives."
Camp Alliance, Inc
"To support veterans through outdoor adventure and community."
Camp Corral
"To transform the lives of children of wounded, ill, and fallen military heroes by providing camp, advocacy, and enrichment programs."
Camp SHiEld
"To support military children through therapeutic camping experiences."
Clear Path for Veterans, Inc.
"To help veterans and their families navigate life's challenges through community connection and comprehensive support."
Code of Support Foundation
"To help bridge the gap between veterans in need and available resources."
Cohen Veterans Bio Science
"To fast-track precision diagnostics and treatments for brain health conditions affecting veterans."
Cohen Veterans Network
"To improve the mental health of post-9/11 veterans and their families by removing barriers to care and serving as a model for mental health care."
Dog Tag Inc
"<p>The <strong>Dog Tag Inc.</strong> is a nonprofit organization founded in 2014 to empower veterans, military spouses, and caregivers through entrepreneurship education and leadership development. Dog Tag Inc. delivers a rigorous, values-based fellowship program designed to help participants build purpose-driven businesses and successful post-military careers.</p>"
Elizabeth Dole Foundation
"To empower, support, and honor military caregivers, the hidden heroes of the U.S. military."
Folds of Honor
"Honor Their Sacrifice. Educate Their Legacy"
Footprints, Inc.
"To provide housing and support services to those in need."
FourBlock Foundation
"To empower veterans to successfully transition to civilian careers."
Gary Sinise Foundation
"The Gary Sinise Foundation serves our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities."
Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation
"To establish a memorial honoring GWOT service members."
Grace After Fire
"To provide advocacy, community, and resources for women veterans."
Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs
Overview Individuals with permanent disabilities including PTSD, TBI, seizure disorders, mobility issues. Led by CEO …
Headstrong Project
"To ensure all post-9/11 combat veterans and their families have immediate and barrier-free access to mental health care."
Headstrong Project, Inc
"Veterans, service members, and their families seeking PTSD treatment."
Helmets to Hardhats’
"The Helmets to Hardhats is a national nonprofit organization founded in 2003 to help veterans, transitioning service members, National Guard, and Reserve personnel build successful civilian careers in the construction industry. The organization connects the military community with career training, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities in skilled trades."
Hire Heroes USA
"To empower U.S. military members, veterans, and spouses to succeed in the civilian workforce through personalized employment training and corporate engagement at no cost."
Hiring Our Heroes
"To connect veterans and military spouses with meaningful employment opportunities."
Home Base Veteran and Family Care
"To heal the invisible wounds of war for veterans of all eras, service members, and their families through clinical care, wellness, education, and research."
Homes For Our Troops, Inc.
"To build and donate specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives."
Hope For The Warriors
"To restore a sense of self, family, and hope for post-9/11 veterans, service members, and military families through comprehensive support programs."
Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
"To connect, unite, and empower post-9/11 generation veterans through education, advocacy, and community building while advocating on behalf of all veterans in health, education, employment, and community."
K9s For Warriors
"To end veteran suicide by providing highly-trained service dogs to military veterans suffering from PTSD, traumatic brain injury, and military sexual trauma at no cost to the veteran."
Leave No Veteran Behind
"To prevent veteran homelessness through emergency financial assistance and create long-term stability through workforce development."
Memories of Honor
"To provide dignified funerals for homeless and indigent veterans."
Miles for Military
"To provide free travel to military families."
Military Child Education Coalition
"To ensure inclusive, quality educational opportunities for military and veteran-connected children."
Military Children’s Charity
"Military Children’s Charity exists to provide gifts and recognition to the children of American service members. The United States has endured years of lengthy wars on multiple fronts. An entire generation of American military children have grown up and never known our country during a time of peace."
Minority Veterans of America
"To create equity for underrepresented veterans through community building, policy change, and public awareness."
Mission Continues
"To connect veterans with under-resourced communities, empowering veterans to continue their service and empowering communities with veteran talent and leadership."
Mission K9 Rescue
"To Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity."
National Center for Healthy Veterans
"To improve the health and wellness of veterans through prevention, education, and holistic support programs."
No One Left Behind
"To ensure that our allies who served with U.S. forces are not left behind."
Operation Freedom Paws
"To empower veterans to regain their independence by training them to train their own service dogs."
Operation Homefront, Inc
"Our mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military families so they can thrive, not simply struggle to get by, in the communities – OUR communities – they have worked so hard to protect."
Our Military Kids
"To support children of deployed service members through enrichment activities."
Pat Tillman Foundation
"Unite and empower remarkable military service members, veterans and spouses as the next generation of public and private sector leaders committed to service beyond self."
Patriot PAWS Service Dogs
"To train and provide service dogs of the highest quality at no cost to disabled American veterans and others with mobile disabilities and PTSD."
Paws for Purple Hearts
"To help veterans heal through Canine-Assisted Warrior Therapy while raising top-tier service dogs for Veterans and active duty Service Members with mobility and trauma challenges."
Paws of War
"To support our military through a variety of veteran support initiatives, including service and companion dog adoption programs."
Semper Fi Fund
"To provide urgently needed resources and financial support for combat wounded, critically ill and catastrophically injured members of all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families."
Semper K9 Assistance Dogs
"To enhance the quality of life for wounded, critically ill, and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families by providing them with trained service dogs."
Service Women’s Action Network
"<p>The <strong>Service Women’s Action Network</strong> (SWAN) is a nonprofit organization founded in 2007 to advocate for the rights, well-being, and equitable treatment of service women and women veterans. The organization focuses on policy advocacy, community organizing, and public education to address issues affecting women who serve or have served in the United States Armed Forces.</p>"
Shelter to Soldier
"To rescue dogs and train them as service dogs for veterans with PTSD."
SoldierStrong
"To help veterans who have been injured in service to our country walk again, and to help all veterans reintegrate into their communities."
Stop Soldier Suicide
"Military suicide has claimed more lives than we’ve lost in most major conflicts, including World War I, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror."
Student Veterans of America
"To act as a catalyst for student veteran success by providing resources, network support and advocacy to, through, and beyond higher education"
Team Red White and Blue Inc
"Enriching Veterans’ Lives"
Team River Runner
"To provide veterans with opportunities to heal through kayaking."
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans
"To end homelessness among veterans by shaping public policy, promoting collaboration, and building the capacity of service providers."
Tunnel to Towers Foundation
"To honor the sacrifice of first responders who lost their lives on 9/11 and military heroes."
United American Patriots
"To provide legal defense for service members."
Veterans Crisis Line
"If you’re a Veteran in crisis (<strong>Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255.</strong>) or concerned about one, contact the Veterans Crisis Line to receive 24/7, confidential support. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to connect. To reach responders, Dial 988 then Press 1, chat online at VeteransCrisisLine.net/Chat, or text 838255."
Veterans Support Council, Inc.
"Veterans.ooo serves military veterans, transitioning service members, technologists, and allies who are interested in open source software, technology careers, and collaborative digital innovation"
Veterans Yoga Project
"To support recovery and resilience among veterans, families, and communities through yoga, meditation, and mindfulness."
VeteransPlus
"To empower military and veteran families with financial education, counseling, and coaching to achieve financial stability."
Warrior Canine Connection
"To reconnect Warriors to life, family, and community through a mission of training service dogs for fellow Veterans with disabilities."
Warriors Heart
"Mission is to heal our nation’s warriors through private, licensed, and accredited resort-style healing centers."
Wear Blue: Run to Remember
"A healthy, ready, and resilient military family. We enhance and exemplify community, wellness, respect, grit, and excellence in everything we do. We run for the fallen, for the fighting, and for the families."
Women Veterans Network (WoVeN)
"To provide a unique social network of women Veterans to foster connections and build relationships in local communities and across the nation."
Wounded Warrior Project
"To honor and empower wounded warriors by providing free programs and services for post-9/11 veterans covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellness to help them thrive for a lifetime."
Wreaths Across America
"To Remember, Honor, and Teach about the sacrifices of our veterans."
Zero8Hundred
"<p>The <strong>Zero8Hundred</strong> is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending veteran homelessness and supporting veterans in crisis through housing assistance, peer support, and coordinated care. The organization focuses on helping veterans overcome immediate challenges while building pathways to long-term stability and independence.</p>"