Zachary Paul McIlwain (born June 6, 1986) is a National Veteran Advocate, Congressional Advisor, and veteran of the United States Army and the Iraq War. McIlwain has made multiple appearances on national television and other national media sources as an advocate trying to raise awareness on the issues currently facing veterans. He currently works with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Members of Congress, and other Veteran and Military Service Organizations focused on military and veteran affairs.

Life and work

McIlwain attended Delta High School in

Muncie, Indiana Muncie ( ) is an incorporated city and the county seat, seat of Delaware County, Indiana, Delaware County, Indiana. Previously known as Buckongahelas Town, named after the legendary Delaware Chief.http://www.delawarecountyhistory.org/history/docs ...

. Following graduation in 2004, McIlwain attended

Ball State University Ball State University (Ball State, State or BSU) is a public university, public research university in Muncie, Indiana. It has two satellite facilities in Fishers, Indiana, Fishers and Indianapolis. On July 25, 1917, the Ball brothers, indust ...

before enlisting in the United States Army in 2005. As an Infantryman, McIlwain was deployed to Iraq with the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) in 2005-2006. McIlwain was awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device as well as the Combat Infantry Badge. McIlwain's unit's focus during that deployment was "quelling Sectarian violence in Baghdad through diplomacy, direct action, and target acquisition missions." McIlwain was deployed again to Iraq with Deuce Four in 2008-2009. McIlwain left Active Duty to pursue his education, and finished his service in 2013 as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant holding the rank of

Staff Sergeant Staff sergeant is a rank of non-commissioned officer used in the armed forces of many countries. It is also a police rank in some police services. History of title In origin, certain senior sergeants were assigned to administrative, supervi ...

. According to McIlwain, when he left the military, he nearly became a "casualty of the war on veteran suicide." He credits his wife, Kristin, and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America with his life-changing transformation. Upon seeking and receiving help, he went on to become a strong advocate for veterans in the national arena. He also completed his Bachelor of Science in Economics at

with Cum Laude Honors. McIlwain continues to utilize his own stories and struggles as a way to reach and touch the lives of veterans. Through his work with Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, he has been featured on national television, news media, and news print focused on bringing awareness to issues currently facing veterans. McIlwain has been featured on CNN, Military Times, Comedy Central, and MSNBC. McIlwain is currently a Leadership Fellow and Spokesperson for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a Sitting Member of the Indiana Military Coalition, a Congressional Advisor on military and veteran affairs, a Financial Institution Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and sits on various Nonprofit Boards to include an animal rescue partnered with Pets for Patriots.

Personal life

McIlwain was born in

and raised in

Albany, Indiana Albany is a town in Delaware County, Indiana, Delaware and Randolph County, Indiana, Randolph counties in the U.S. state of Indiana, along the Mississinewa River. The population was 2,295 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Muncie, IN Metropolit ...

. He married his wife, Kristin, in the fall of 2012. He currently has no children.

Education

*2004 Delta High School, Muncie, IN *2012 Bachelor of Science degree, Economics,

, Muncie, IN

References

External links

*IAVA's Storm the Hill 2014 - http://stormthehill.org/stormers *Vet's Visit Capitol Hill, Army Times - https://archive.today/20140613165543/http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130322/BENEFITS04/303220014/Vets-visit-Capitol-Hill-demand-better-benefits#selection-2007.0-2007.40 *The Lead with Jake Tapper

*Suicide on the Rise, News & Tribune - http://www.newsandtribune.com/x1667057549/Suicide-on-the-rise-among-veterans *Returning Veterans Face Huge Backlog, PBS Newshour - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military-jan-june13-vabenefits_03-29/ *How can Government Battle a "Suicide Epidemic" Among Veterans, National Journal - http://www.nationaljournal.com/defense/how-can-government-battle-a-suicide-epidemic-among-veterans-20140403 *In Veteran's Long Wait, McClatchy DC - http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/06/06/193233/in-veterans-long-wait-for-benefits.html *The Obscenity of Suicide, Providence Journal - http://www.providencejournal.com/writers/bob-kerr/20140404-bob-kerr-the-obscenity-of-suicide-that-haunts-our-veterans.ece {{DEFAULTSORT:McIlwain, Zach 1986 births Living people United States Army personnel of the Iraq War Ball State University alumni People from Muncie, Indiana People from Albany, Indiana Indiana Republicans United States Army soldiers