KAREN EARNSHAW
Only a fraction of Marshallese who are US military veterans are registered with the US Department of Veterans Affairs and as a result they are not receiving the many benefits due to them. As well, according to Coast Guard veteran and Treasurer of the Marshallese Veterans’ Alliance, Marlene Tolliver, many vets who are registered with the VA do not have their maximum available percentage points and as a result are losing out on their due level of benefits.
Seeing a need, Marlene had the idea to start a non-profit organization to help vets, so she began recruiting like-minded people, beginning with retired Army medic Sylvia Sheck who is the group’s President. Together they brought on board Army veterans Dale Nabu (Vice President) and Selynn Anni (Secretary). The team’s advisor is Fred Nysta, a retired veteran and former staffer at the US Embassy in Majuro. The alliance was incorporated in mid-2024.
“I began the MVA after I got the feeling that there were a lot of Marshallese who haven’t registered with the VA. And there are many who aren’t aware of what their benefits are,” Marlene said Monday. “Plus, there is no access to the VA in the RMI. I’m aware that other groups, such as Post 22, have tried to do this. And I believe they had someone from the VA come over from the Philippines to work on it, but I’m not sure it’s gone anywhere.”
Looking back in time to 1996, Marlene successfully sat for the ASVAB aptitude test while studying at Marshall Islands High School. She scored well and was recruited by the Coast Guard, in which she served for 25 years. In 2020, she retired with the rank of Chief Warrant Officer.
And, like all other US military personnel, she attended training classes that would help her adjust to life in civilian society. “This is called the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), which is mandatory. The training includes the recommendation that everyone register with the VA. But there are many people, including Marshallese, who don’t go to the classes.
“But of course it takes time and it can be frustrating getting to do all the training. It can be an intrusion into your life, so people put it off. But it is the member’s responsibility to go to the training and they should remember it’s not just for themselves, but for their family and future.”
When veterans register with the VA, their military records, and especially medical records, are reviewed and a ranking, or percentage, is given. “This ranges from 0-100,” Marlene said, adding that her score is 100.
“Since we started the MVA, we have helped two people get jobs by working on their resumes and job placement. We are also working with five people to help raise their percentage levels with the VA.” She spoke proudly of also helping a Marshallese who did 22 years of service in the Army: “We got him signed up for a plot in a military cemetery.”
Wanting to help more Marshallese to register with the VA and improve their rankings for benefits, the organization has an active Facebook page and a website, www.marshalleseva.org, which provides a load of info for vets. On the bottom of the homepage there is a link to the MVA’s small survey, which gives veterans a chance to be helped by the non-profit.
The Facebook page features a monthly spotlight on either a person on active duty or a veteran. For example, October’s feature reads: “This month, we honor Steven Enoch, who was born in Majuro and raised in the United States. At just 18 years old, Steven answered the call to serve and went on to complete six years in the US Army. By age 21, he deployed to the Middle East as a Specialist, building experiences and memories that continue to guide his life today…”
In July, the MVA team took their message to the highest person in the land, President Hilda Heine. “We met with the President on July 31.” Earlier in July, they also met with US Ambassador to the RMI Laura Stone, who “had our letter of support signed.”
Before they can go further with their mission, the alliance needs data, which means they need numbers of past and current service members. And while they research this, they also hope that veterans will contact them to make their voices heard.
The dream, Marlene explained, is to become a Veteran Services Organization (VSO), which would be authorized by the VA to work with the veterans. And in this way, they will be moving forward in their attempt to make sure every Marshallese veteran knows they’re not forgotten.