“My call to service is in direct response to a gridlocked Washington and a divided country that is becoming more divided. We have a responsibility to preserve the American Dream for all citizens,” Welle said when asked why he is running for public office.
Veterans are representing a new kind of political candidate, one whose service extends beyond their military career and into public office.
In an increasingly polarized political climate, few factors are as unifying as a history of service. Historically, military service has been the great unifier in the United States. According to Veterans Affairs records, over 16 million U.S. Servicemembers, 11% of the U.S. population at the time, served in World War II. After the war ended in 1945, many of these veterans returned to the civilian workforce. Their shared experience of military service allowed them to work together and instilled in them a fierce devotion to country.
In 2016, census data showed that only 7.4% of Americans had ever served in the military, including veterans from the World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War generations. Only 0.4% of the population is currently serving. The decline in personal experience with military service among the larger population has played out in government as well.
In the 1970s, over three quarters of the House and Senate had military experience. In 2017, only 19% of the same group were veterans. This has paralleled a decline in both bipartisan cooperation and public confidence in our elected officials.
I was able to talk to U.S. Navy veteran and Congressional candidate Josh Welle about his campaign, his service, and what he thinks veterans can bring to Washington.
Veterans in public service
Welle believes that veterans bring a new perspective to an increasingly polarized legislature. By the nature of their work in the military, veterans learn to put their mission before personal or professional differences.
“It is important to have people who legislate and hold the executive branch accountable who have done the work and been at the forward edge of these experiences,” he said.
According to Welle, many skills learned in the military translate well to public office. A military leader is responsible for the welfare of his or her soldiers, sailors, airmen, or marines. This includes not only the successful completion of the military mission, but also personnel support programs.
By the nature of their work in the military, veterans learn to put their mission before personal or professional differences.
“I was essentially the mayor of a town when I was XO of a warship,” Welle said of his time as Executive Officer. “I looked after the wellness of ninety sailors in Bahrain—education, job skills training, family benefits programs, infrastructure. When you hear someone served in uniform, because the military is such a large entity, there are a lot of skills that translate to government.”
Much as a town does not function without adequate infrastructure, a military command needs the same things, such as running water, waste disposal, and electricity. Military members benefit from continued education and training. Families need to know that their paychecks will come on time and that they will continue to have reliable access to basic goods and services. These are all things that a lawmaker works to ensure are available for their constituents.
The issues
Today’s political climate requires lawmakers who are able to understand a variety of issues simultaneously. Foreign policy, economic relations, national security—all are areas that require both knowledge and know-how.
“When you’ve served around the world and you’ve deployed with so many types of people from so many walks of life, you develop an ability to bridge gaps and divides in order to get work done.”
Welle is part of a new generation of veterans and politicians. Today’s military is becoming increasingly technically competent to respond to today’s threats. Welle himself launched a tech company after transitioning to the military reserves. He believes that this kind of experience will allow him to be effective in a world where continued service requires understanding technical and business principles, as well as leadership.
2018 voters are different, with new ideas and priorities, than when many lifelong politicians currently in office were elected. Veterans such as Welle represent this new generation of Americans and believe that they can do so more effectively and on a larger scale in public office.
He hopes to prepare New Jersey to lead in today’s society. Modernizing infrastructure while creating economic growth, creating an affordable and sustainable healthcare system, and ensuring Americans are safe at home and abroad are issues he plans to take on. Leading the international efforts to combat climate change and terrorism are also important in his campaign.
“My call to service is in direct response to a gridlocked Washington and a divided country that is becoming more divided. We have a responsibility to preserve the American Dream for all citizens,” Welle said when asked why he is running for public office.
Putting the work back in Congress
With the recent Government shutdown, American’s faith in its elected officials is remarkably low. Social media platforms are full of criticism of those tasked with actually doing the work of governing.
“My hope is that as a veteran I can build bridges between people who are concerned about the future of this country, such as those fearful of expanded immigration and job loss, with people who are progressive in fighting for equal justice and inclusion,” Welle stated. “When you’ve served around the world and you’ve deployed with so many types of people from so many walks of life, you develop an ability to bridge gaps and divides in order to get work done.”
Like many veterans, Welle relies on a strong support system at home. He credits his wife, Angela, with his ability to take on the full-time work of running for political office. When not busy on the campaign trail, they enjoy staying active together and improving their cooking prowess.
Congress is at a turning point. Those who have served and been directly impacted by the action or inaction of government are now standing up and taking on the difficult but important work of improving the legislative process. Working together to complete the mission is the cornerstone of military service. With more veterans in office, it can be the cornerstone of governing again, too.
