A Movement of Veterans
We are the largest grassroots membership organization of progressive veterans standing up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence.
Common Defense’s family of organizations includes the Common Defense Education Fund (501c3), Common Defense Civic Engagement (501c4), and Common Defense Action Fund (PAC) In order to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all.
We vow to organize together against those who seek to divide us so they cannot rig our systems and economy for their own gain.
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Veterans Organizing Institute
The mission of the Veterans Organizing Institute is to support the leadership development of progressive military veterans. Our vision is to develop a network of highly diverse, former service members, with sophisticated political analysis and practical organizing skills to play an important role in reshaping the long-term American political landscape.
By providing convening spaces, advanced training, and opportunities for hands-on issue campaign work, we believe we can cultivate long-term progressive veteran leaders who will play a crucial role in the historic tasks of (1) forging a viable path for a new American peace movement, and (2) embedding a deeper progressive peace and security analysis within an emerging social justice alignment in the United States.
Who We Are
We empower veterans to stand up for our communities against the rising tide of racism, hate, and violence, to organize against the entrenched power of greedy billionaires who have rigged our economy, and to champion an equitable and representative democracy, where “liberty and justice” truly is for all.
We achieve this through:
Training veterans as grassroots organizers
Growing, organizing, and mobilizing the progressive veteran community
Advocating for progressive legislation at the local, state, and federal level
Mobilizing our 200,000 members to support candidates who share our values
Common Defense is the country’s largest veteran-led grassroots organization committed to engaging, organizing, training and mobilizing veterans to elect accountable leaders and promote progressive values in 2020 and beyond.
Our History
Common Defense was first founded in 2016 as a grassroots effort led by veterans who opposed Trump’s corrupt agenda of hate. During that time veterans were not well organized to grapple with our frustration with the status quo. Since then, we have led the “Vets Against Trump” movement, helping win impeachment and speaking out daily against his crimes.
We officially incorporated as a structured organization in March 2019.
Ending the Forever War and unjust occupations was and continues to be central in our work. Veterans are tired of war, so we got to work building consensus in the Democratic Party to end the forever war. Seven presidential candidates signed our pledge, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren leading. Currently, it has been added to the official Democratic Party Platform making clear that “Democrats will deliver on this overdue commitment to end the forever war.” Presidential candidate Joe Biden has also made his commitment to end the forever war clear and we plan to hold him to it once he is in office.
Mission
Common Defense organizes veterans and engages the military community to transform our society by advocating for progressive policies that work for all of us.
Vision
We envision a world free of structural violence where everyday people are civically engaged in the decisions that impact their lives. We see a grassroots movement of veteran leaders united at the forefront of struggles to foster an inclusive democracy where liberty and justice truly exist for all.
Values
Equity
Rooted in history we reckon with the past and strive to uphold dignity, fairness, and respect in our relationships with everyone.
Progress
Fueled by love and unwavering optimism in the face of oppression and violence we are committed to building a better future.
Justice
We believe accountability is core to achieving peace and prioritize being in solidarity with directly impacted communities.
Power
Knowing our shared interests we choose to gather our collective strength and counter the cynicism of corruption and patronage.
