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Joining Forces Blog

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden launched Joining Forces in 2011 to honor and support service members, survivors, veterans, and their families. Learn more about Joining Forces.

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Obama Administration Marks Five Years of the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act

Five years ago President Obama signed the Veterans Opportunity to Work to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to help transitioning service members and veterans.
November 21, 2016 at 10:06 AM ET by Ayotunde Babajide

Together We Can End Veteran Homelessness

Through the Joining Forces Initiative, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden made a commitment to ending veteran homelessness. Here's the progress we've made.
November 14, 2016 at 9:45 AM ET by Tina Tchen

Registration Opens for Joining Forces Wellness Week 2016

Joining Forces Wellness Week offers training for healthcare professionals to support the wellness needs of our nation's veterans, service members, and their families.
October 24, 2016 at 10:30 AM ET by Rory Brosius, Deputy Director of Joining Forces

President Obama Speaks to Veterans in Atlanta

President Obama will talk about how we can expand opportunities for service members, veterans, and their families at the Disabled Veterans Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
August 1, 2016 at 10:00 AM ET by Melanie Garunay

Joining Forces Welcomes Colonel William T. Johnson

Joining Forces Welcomes New Executive Director Colonel William T. Johnson
June 24, 2016 at 5:32 PM ET by Sheila Nix, Tina Tchen

Joining Forces: Committing to employ our nation's service members

More than 50 companies have pledged to hire more and certify service members, veterans and military spouses over the next five years.
May 12, 2016 at 6:20 PM ET by Major Andy Anderson

Joining Forces to Help 60,000 Military Children Get College-Ready with STEM Courses

Dr. Biden traveled to Pensacola, FL to celebrate the completion of a Joining Forces partnership with the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI).
May 6, 2016 at 12:41 PM ET by Kumar Garg, Jamie Lyons

Weekly Address: Giving Veterans their Chance

President Obama honored our nation’s veterans, who have served and sacrificed in defense of our country.
November 14, 2015 at 6:00 AM ET by Amanda Stone

Joining Forces to Help Veterans Transition

In honor of Veterans Day, foundations, agencies, non-profits, and tech companies are helping veterans reintegrate into their local communities.
November 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM ET by Colonel Nicole Malachowski

Joining Forces Wellness Week 2015

Joining Forces is highlighting the health and wellness needs of our nation's veterans, service members, and their families.
November 4, 2015 at 6:09 PM ET by Rory Brosius

The Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden Congratulate the 2015 USO Honorees

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden welcomed the 2015 USO Honorees to the Vice President’s Residence at the Naval Observatory ahead of tonight’s USO Gala.
October 20, 2015 at 1:07 PM ET by Colonel Nicole Malachowski, Jamie Lyons

Dreams for Veterans: Fulfilling Dreams One Veteran at a Time

Dreams for Veterans organization launches to fulfill the wishes of terminally ill U.S. military veterans around the country.
September 17, 2015 at 4:58 PM ET by Nicole Malachowski

Prince Harry’s Invictus Games to Come to the United States

In a special video message, Prince Harry announces that the Invictus Games will return in May 2016 and be hosted by the United States.
July 14, 2015 at 5:03 PM ET by Nicole Malachowski, Rory Brosius, Kate Higgins-Bloom

The First Lady Celebrates Military Families Stationed in Italy

June 20, 2015 at 1:00 PM ET by Nicole Malachowski

Dr. Jill Biden Sponsors and Christens the USS Gabrielle Giffords

On Saturday in Mobile, Alabama, Dr. Jill Biden took part in the christening ceremony for the USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10).
June 15, 2015 at 11:36 AM ET by James Gleeson

Joining Forces Announces New Executive Director

On behalf of First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, we are pleased to welcome United States Air Force Colonel, select, Nicole Malachowski as the new Executive Director of Joining Forces.
May 28, 2015 at 10:16 AM ET by Tina Tchen and Sheila Nix

Thanking and Supporting Our Military Caregivers

May 21, 2015 at 3:29 PM ET by Rory Brosius

Kids Serve, Too

As we honor our service members and veterans during Military Appreciation Month this May, it’s important to remember that kids serve, too. Joining Forces, led by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, with support from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), is celebrating the work of organizations like the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI), which is expanding support to military-connected students.
May 15, 2015 at 11:54 AM ET by Kumar Garg and Jamie Lyons

The First Lady, Dr. Biden, and Ben Folds Celebrate Military-Connected Moms

The First Lady and Dr. Biden welcomed military-connected mothers and grandmothers to the White House for the annual Mother’s Day Tea.
May 9, 2015 at 6:34 PM ET by Rory Brosius

Dr. Jill Biden Shares the Story of the Military Child

Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden invited a few military families over to our home for dinner to celebrate the Month of the Military Child and shares the story.
April 28, 2015 at 10:41 AM ET by Dr. Jill Biden

LeVar Burton’s Memories Of A Military Childhood

Reading Rainbow's Levar Burton reflects on growing up in a military family.
April 27, 2015 at 6:39 PM ET by LeVar Burton

A Message From Space

Dr. Jill Biden highlights how the National Math and Science initiative is helping improve military-connected schools through its College Readiness Program.
April 27, 2015 at 2:45 PM ET by Dr. Jill Biden

Honoring Women Veterans

The President has made increasing the hiring of veterans, and particularly women veterans, a top priority.
April 23, 2015 at 2:45 PM ET by Secretary Thomas E. Perez, Secretary Robert McDonald, and Katherine Archuleta

@JoiningForces is Answering Your Questions to Celebrate Its 4th Anniversary

As part of the First Lady's and Dr. Biden's Joining Forces initiative, we're having a special conversation throughout the month around topics relating to veterans. Be sure to join in.
April 16, 2015 at 6:29 PM ET by Ken Meyer

Acting Associate Attorney General Stuart F. Delery Announces the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative

March 19, 2015 at 6:27 PM ET by Stuart F. Delery

President Obama’s Trip to Phoenix: Visiting Veterans in Arizona

President Obama visits Phoenix, Arizona, to hear about the progress being made at the VA and to make a surprise visit to Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg, a wounded Army Ranger.
March 16, 2015 at 1:32 PM ET by Jenna Brayton

Changing the Story about Mental Health in America

March 4, 2015 at 6:19 PM ET by Rory Brosius

Strengthening America’s Families: Joining Forces & Blue Star Families

Joining Forces celebrates the fifth anniversary of Blue Star Families, an organization that connects military families to resources, programs, and special opportunities.
February 26, 2015 at 6:27 PM ET by Colonel Steve Parker

Vet Centers Offer Free Support to Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families

Each year, Vet Centers in communities across this country provide a broad range of counseling, outreach, and referral services to more than 200,000 veterans, service members, and their families.
February 20, 2015 at 7:24 PM ET by Rory Brosius

A Letter to All Transitioning Service Members

Last week, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin E. Dempsey, and the Joint Chiefs signed a letter addressed to all transitioning service members.
February 19, 2015 at 10:57 AM ET by Colonel Steve Parker