After graduating from Amherst College, Paul Rieckhoff worked on Wall Street, then served the U.S. Army as an infantry rifle platoon leader in Iraq. After returning home, Rieckhoff founded Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a nonpartisan veterans' advocacy organization intent on amplifying veterans' voices in Washington. Today the organization has over 425,000 members.
In a frank, thoughtful exchange, Rieckhoff remembers his time at Amherst, reflects on his service as a First Lieutenant in Iraq, and explores the many challenges now facing our veterans and military families.
The event, sponsored by the Amherst Alumni of New York, features an introduction from actor, activist and fellow Amherst alum Jeffrey Wright, star of "The Hunger Games" and HBO's "Westworld." Recorded March 8, 2018.
Video, graphics and editing by Rich Ahee of Black Vault Media.
The views expressed in these videos are the speakers' personal views and do not represent the views of Amherst College.
Video, graphics and editing by Rich Ahee of Black Vault Media.