♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Terrence Hayes, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Veterans Administration, next on "The Chavis Chronicles."

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♪♪ ♪♪ >> Terrence Hayes, welcome to "The Chavis Chronicles."

>> Humbled to be here, sir.

Thank you for having me.

>> Well, thank you for your service, man.

In the military and now the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.

But I'm going to go back.

Your family had military service.

How did you first join in the United States military?

>> My mother and my father both were in the Army.

>> Really?

>> Prior to my birth, though, and I think that's one of the reasons why they ended up departing the military, because my mother was having her first child.

And, so, that's when my father and my mother moved back to Jacksonville.

And what's crazy is that also my uncle -- several of my uncles served, as well.

I have a uncle right now who's in Jacksonville, Florida, who's a Silver Star recipient from Vietnam.

>> Oh.

From Vietnam?

>> Exactly.

And if those of you who know, you know Silver Star is one of the highest level of awards you can receive in combat, and he's one of those individuals who received that award.

But also, every member of my immediate family has served in the Army.

My wife, my sister, my brother's in the Army right now.

And of course, I served in the Army, as well.

And I've already told you about my mother and my father.

So military service is rooted in our DNA and who we are.

And it's just a long, storied history of Army service.

>> Well, listen, when I thank you on behalf of the American people for your service, I'm also thanking each member of your family.

>> Thank you, sir.

>> For their service.

In your current position, Veterans Affairs... >> Yes.

>> ...is so vital.

My father was a veteran of World War I.

He was a sergeant major in the army, fought in France on the front lines with other Black soldiers.

At the time, the military was segregated.

>> Absolutely.

>> So can you tell us how pivotal it was when they decided to desegregate the United States military?

>> Absolutely, sir.

First and foremost, thank you to your father for his service to our nation.

It was absolutely essential that we desegregated the military.

I mean, to ensure that our military represented what this country represents.

And that's the diversity.

And we know that we have the best military in the entire world.

That's because of that diversity.

It's because of those men and women from various different backgrounds, various different races, various different ages, and various different educational backgrounds.

And without that, without bringing those different points of views, those different diverse makeups into our military, we would not be what we are today in this country.

So, again, it was vital that your father was able to serve alongside his White counterpart.

Otherwise we would not be in the position we are today.

So, again, we need to continue to study that history so we don't repeat those mistakes of the past.

It's very critical.

And I am very excited about how our military is going, especially having our very first Black Secretary of Defense, who I served alongside of in Iraq.

>> Secretary Austin.

>> Absolutely, absolutely.

He was my boss at one time in Iraq.

And to see him in that position shows that we are moving in the right direction.

But there's still more work that needs to be done, and I'm hopeful that that work will get done.

>> Tell us about the PACT Act and its relevance to Veterans Affairs today.

>> Yes, sir.

Thank you for asking about the PACT Act.

President Biden signed the PACT Act into law August of 2022, and this historic law now potentially impacts more than 5 million veterans.

>> 5 million.

>> 5 million who have served in Vietnam, who served in the Gulf War, and who served in all of the post-9/11 conflicts.

You're talking Afghanistan, Iraq, and all those places over in Central Command.

If anyone had come in contact with any toxic substance -- I'm talking about Agent Orange when you were in Vietnam -- you are impacted by the PACT Act.

There's benefits due to you.

Possibly even free health care for you.

Same with our folks in the Gulf War, and same for folks who served in Iraq and Afghanistan like myself, who may have come in contact with stuff like jet fuel, toxic fumes, burn pits, things of that nature.

Again, there's opportunities for you to file for benefits, monetary benefits that you would not have been able to receive previous of the president signing this bill into law.

So there's an opportunity right now for folks who were impacted in Vietnam, the Gulf War and the post-9/11 conflicts to receive free health care from VA.

So I'm encouraging every veteran out there watching your program right now to give VA a call or go to our website at va.gov to take advantage of this opportunity, because, again, this is -- this could impact more than 5 million veterans who have served in those conflicts alone.

And we want every single one of them to receive the care and benefits they've earned.

>> One of the things that, from the beginning of our country, the first person to fall in the American Revolution, Crispus Attucks, was of African descent.

And people of African descent have fought in all of the wars on behalf of a democracy that wasn't yet perfect, but the valor and the patriotism was always there.

Can you talk about today, how important it is to understand the significance and importance of patriotism, as well as the importance of living in a democracy?

>> Absolutely.

Well, what I will tell your audience this, sir, is that less than 1% of our country will serve in the United States military.

Less than 1%.

So 99% are receiving the freedoms because of the 1% who have served.

So that's the first thing.

That's the first lesson that folks need to understand.

The second thing is that, if we don't have a strong military or a strong democracy... as you can see across the world, we can have some of these problems that some of these other countries are having right now.

So, again, that's why this is important.

Freedom, unfortunately, is not free.

And as an individual who has served in the United States Army -- I served for 20 years and lost some friends along the way -- I understand what that price is.

And many of the surviving families of these service members know that freedom is not free.

So, as we wake up each and every day, our youth on up to our seniors, and we understand and value this country that we live in, patriotism is important because, again, it comes at a cost, a very real cost.

I'm encouraging everybody, when you see a veteran or when you see a service member, thank them for their service because you just never know what's going to happen to them because of the cost of that freedom that we're able to enjoy each and every day.

>> I want to go into a subject that is not touchy, but it's a reality.

But the fact of the matter is, in every major city, there are too many veterans who are homeless.

>> Yes, sir.

Well, first and foremost, this is one of the highest priorities for President Biden and for Secretary McDonough at VA. Over the past three years since we've been in office, we've seen a shift in the decline of veteran homelessness or veterans facing homelessness.

>> So it's been a decline?

>> It's been a decline.

That said, until we get to zero, sir, we're not satisfied.

And the unique thing about this secretary, Secretary McDonough, is that, when he came on board February of 2021, after he was confirmed, one of the very first things he did was flew out to Los Angeles to visit what's called Veterans Row.

And Veterans Row was a a row of -- or on a street in Brentwood, California, one of the most influential and rich, richest, you know, neighborhoods in America.

And we had about 40 veterans living in tents on this street.

And he went out and visited all 40 of those individuals, walked and chatted with all 40 of those individuals.

He came back to DC with a mandate for us at VA, that we would house all 40 of those individuals within 30 days.

And we did that.

We moved them on to our West Los Angeles campus, and not only just moved them there into temporary housing, we moved them into permanent housing.

The Secretary said, let's take it a step further.

He said, "We're going to house 500 folks in the next three months in Los Angeles alone."

Seemed like a tall task, but we were able to successfully house more than 700 of those individuals in Los Angeles.

So after we did that in the very first year in a matter of months, Secretary McDonough said, "You know what?

This is very doable.

We can actually make a difference here."

So, for the following year, he made a commitment.

He said, we're going to house 38,000 homeless veterans permanently for the year 2022.

>> 38,000.

>> 38,000.

Trust me, we thought that was a large number.

And it is a large number.

Trust me.

But because of the hard work of our team, the folks who live in the cities, who are at our medical centers, who go into the communities and meet with these veterans facing homelessness, we were able to house, permanently house, more than 40,000 the first year.

40,000, again, permanently housing.

But not only that, because of the President's Housing First initiative, we were able to not only house these folks, but also provide them the wraparound services to keep them housed.

>> Most Americans do not know that, since President Biden has been in office, homelessness among veterans has declined.

See, to me, good news should always overshadow bad news.

And the good news of what the Veterans Administration is doing for our nation's veterans, that's good news.

>> Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

And we don't always get it right.

And I'll be the first to say that.

And the Secretary has said that.

But one of the things that we do is that, if we do make a mistake, we're going to own it, and we're going to correct that situation.

But when it comes to this issue of housing, the folks who have served our country honorably, that should be a bipartisan, you know, type of conversation.

>> That's correct.

>> Absolutely.

>> Transcends partisan politics.

>> Absolutely.

We're going to do everything it takes to ensure that these men and women, again, who have served our country honorably, have a roof over their heads.

And that's because, again, of the President's Housing First initiative, us working with HUD, as well, and again, our dedicated team across the country at VA being able to go into those communities and provide those resources to those women and men who need it most.

>> So as I listen to you, you're indicating there's interagency coordination between the Veterans Affairs, Department of Veterans Affairs, HUD.

>> Yes, sir.

Sometimes Labor.

>> Department of Labor.

>> Yes, sir.

>> Working together... >> Absolutely.

>> ...for the interest of veterans.

>> Absolutely.

>> So what would you say, as a veteran yourself, there are a lot of young people out in our communities who may be considering military service.

What is your message?

>> My message is this.

I never thought that I would have joined the military.

I was on a track to go to school.

I actually had two scholarships.

I was going to go to either Florida A&M University or Bethune-Cookman, and I was very excited to do that.

And I met a gentleman who showed me that, you know, I could do something that's bigger than myself, and I wanted to be a part of that.

and that was an opportunity for me to raise my hand and, again, be able to support and defend the country that I love so much.

And what I encourage young people that, if you're not sure about, you know, where you are right now in this life, to think about the military as an option.

I say an option because it can set you on a great path to success, no matter if you want to stay in for 20 years, like I did, or do four years, or one enlistment.

It's still going to set you up for that success.

There's no other institution out there that's going to not only just take care of you, but provide you with educational benefits, pay for your college, like the military.

There's no other institution that's going to build that camaraderie like the military will, provide you with life skills and, again, be able to educate you on what this country is all about, why it's important, the service that you are doing.

So, again, that's the conversation I have with any young person considering it, because, again, I never thought that I would go that route.

And I'm very thankful that I did.

And I would do it again if I had that opportunity, because I take the service very seriously.

>> How often do you have to address the national media about veterans issues?

>> It's like a daily mission.

Trust me, Dr. Chavis, I am in contact with our various different VA beat reporters on a daily basis.

I think we have a very professional, good, solid working relationship.

I'll give you an example, Dr. Chavis.

When I came on board, the relationship between media and VA was nonexistent.

>> Really?

>> I'll give you another example.

Before we came on board, there's been 11 secretaries of VA.

This is the first secretary in VA's history that meets with the media on a monthly basis, that holds a press conference to account to the media, to account to our veterans, to account to American taxpayers.

No other secretary has done that.

Again, that's what we should be doing.

That should have been the standard from day one.

So this is very real to us.

Transparency, accountability.

And we use the media, obviously, as that resource to be able to have those conversations, but also educate our veteran stakeholders.

As you said, there's many people out there right now who didn't know about the impact that VA is making when it comes to veteran homelessness.

And again, that's our opportunity to have those conversations with the press.

So our taxpayers, so our veteran stakeholders know exactly what it is that their VA is doing.

So, again, this is very real for me.

I chat with these members of the press on a daily basis, but also we take it a step further, Dr. Chavis.

We want to make sure that, because our veterans live in everyday USA, we need to go to local members of the press also to ensure that those messages are passed down to those communities.

Because just to be honest with you, you know, while folks watch the CNNs and the Fox Newses and the MSNBCs of the world, most people don't really, like, trust it.

So they trust their local press.

They trust shows like this.

So that's why we have to go to those shows and be a part of that.

So our messages go down to the grassroots because that's where our veterans are.

>> What is the connection between military service and career development once you become a veteran?

>> I think that if you had asked me that as a young soldier when I first joined the Army at 17 or 18, I would think, I don't know.

>> What, you call your MO?

>> My MOS, yeah.

I would have thought that I don't know if that's going to translate or not.

I have no clue.

But I'm here to tell you, as a 20-year Army veteran himself -- I just retired in 2016.

And the same job that I did in the military I'm doing right now.

So I believe that it clearly transferred over.

Obviously, I had to get my education and gain a lot of experience along the way, but I believe that it translated how I hoped it translated to.

And now, again, being able to sit in this seat right now and be the press secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs says a lot.

It says a lot about the training that the military provided me.

It says a lot about the mentors who guided me along the way in my military journey.

And, again, it says that folks can transition properly and become what they want to become when they take their uniform off.

And I'll never forget, my father told me this.

He said, "Terrence, if you join the military and you leave the same way you came in, that's on you."

And I took that to heart.

You know, again, take advantage of the free education benefits that the military provides while you're in uniform and out of uniform.

Take advantage of all those training opportunities.

Take advantage of all the people that you'll meet along the way.

Network.

And when you are ready to depart the military, you'll be in a much better position than you were when you came in.

And then you will be successful when you transition out.

>> And could you comment on the role of women who are veterans?

>> Yes, sir.

>> Do they get the same type of outreach and help in their career development?

>> Yeah, this is a very important subject to me.

I told you already, my wife is a a veteran.

I told you, my mother is a veteran.

My mother-in-law is a veteran, as well.

So this is very personal to me.

I want to see the women in my life have the same opportunities that I had.

And that's the great thing about our military today.

The doors have been opened now to women, to almost every opportunity there is.

So every job description now that's on on deck, women have an opportunity to go into those fields, and that's a great thing.

And not only they're just going into those fields, they're thriving in those fields, many times outperforming their male counterparts.

So, again, this is a major difference, major change, major cultural change in our military.

And it's still going on today.

It still takes a little bit of time to change a culture that's been a certain way for so many decades.

But I tell you, Dr. Chavis, these women who are going into the military today, they are knocking doors down.

I'll give you a classic example.

The number two person at VA right now is the first woman confirmed, Black woman confirmed as our Deputy Secretary.

I served in Army with her.

>> How is the response of the media?

I see what happens to my sister in the White House who's the press secretary.

>> Yes, yes.

Yeah.

My colleague.

>> Yeah, they kind of give her a rough time.

>> Yeah.

>> But you being a strong brother, I don't know if they give you the same.

Just tell me, what is the interaction like?

>> Yeah, well, first of all, I want to say that Karine is a mentor of mine, and she's doing a hell of a job at the White House.

>> We've had her on the program.

>> Absolutely.

I've seen.

And she's doing a hell of a job over there.

It's a very tough job.

You know, it comes with a lot of responsibility when you have to be the first one in the door and the last one to leave every single night.

That's tough.

And people don't see that behind, you know, behind the scenes type of stuff.

And it's the same thing at VA, you know, just at a different level.

Did I have to earn the respect of, you know, my media colleagues?

Of course.

Did I have to earn the respect of my colleagues at the department?

Absolutely.

That's the way it should be.

Did I have to earn the respect of the Secretary, who I had never worked alongside of?

Of course.

But one thing that I told myself, and my dad told me this a long time ago, and I think this is something that you live by, Dr. Chavis, is that, if I show up and I give my best each and every day, no one's going to outwork me.

No one's going to outperform me.

And as long as you hold true to those things, you'll perform exceptionally well.

I want my performance to be so well that other young sisters and brothers who look like me have an opportunity, as well, to shine.

>> Your story can be so inspirational.

>> Yes, sir.

>> To a lot of people, particularly young African-American males, who... >> Absolutely.

>> ...are trying to figure out what their life is going to be about.

>> Absolutely, sir.

No, I mean, you bring a good point.

I mean, I'll share this last story with you, Dr. Chavis.

A lot of folks behind the curtain don't know this about me.

Dr. Chavis, when I was 17 years old, I was graduating high school.

I went to a college prep.

Again, I was on my track to go to college.

I was at graduation, and my mother was at my graduation.

My father was at my graduation.

My sister and brother were at my graduation.

There was one other person at my graduation, as well.

My son.

My son.

I had a three-month-old son when I graduated high school at 17.

And now I look back and I see his success story.

It's a part of my success story.

And that's because of all the wonderful people who mentored and guided me along the way.

So, again, it's a huge thing.

And I tell any young brother or sister out there right now that, don't become a victim of your circumstance.

Flip that around, become that resilient individual, and you can do some amazing things in this world.

>> Terrence Hayes, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, we salute you.

>> Thank you.

>> For your service.

And we salute you for what you're doing now.

A great American story.

>> Thank you.

>> God bless you.

>> God bless you too, sir.

Thank you for everything you do for us.

>> For more information about "The Chavis Chronicles" and our guests, visit our website at TheChavisChronicles.com.

Also, follow us on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Major funding for "The Chavis Chronicles" is provided by the following.

At Wells Fargo, diverse representation and perspectives, equity, and inclusion is critical to meeting the needs of our colleagues, customers, and communities.

We are focused on our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, both inside our company and in the communities where we live and work.

Together, we want to make a tangible difference in people's lives and in our communities.

Wells Fargo -- the bank of doing.

American Petroleum Institute.

Through API's Energy Excellence Program, our members are committed to accelerating safety, environmental, and sustainability progress throughout the natural-gas and oil industry around the world.

Learn more at api.org/apienergyexcellence.

Reynolds American, dedicated to building a better tomorrow for our employees and communities.

Reynolds stands against racism and discrimination in all forms and is committed to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

At AARP, we are committed to ensuring your money, health, and happiness live as long as you do.

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