Veteran and Military Family Organizations Urge Secretary Hegseth to Maintain Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Programs
Today, nine organizations representing thousands of military veterans and their families across the United States wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth expressing concern regarding proposed cuts to the military’s civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) programs and urging him to maintain these vital capabilities.
The letter was signed by About Face: Veterans Against the War, the Chamberlain Network, CommonDefense.us, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Minority Veterans of America, Secure Families Initiative, Service Women’s Action Network, Veterans for American Ideals, and Veterans For Peace.
“Programs to prevent civilian harm uphold the high standards that make our military the most respected fighting force in the world—ensuring accountability, reducing unintended harm, and further strengthening America’s leadership on the global stage,” wrote the organizations.
Read and download the full letter here.
“Gutting these essential programs would not only betray the values our military stands for, but also leave our service members without the tools they need to make informed decisions in complex combat environments,” said Gretchen Klingler, Director of Veterans for American Ideals. “Civilian harm mitigation isn’t a bureaucratic box to check—it’s a strategic, moral, and operational imperative. As a Veteran I understand firsthand the importance of these programs. We urge Secretary Hegseth and the Department of Defense to uphold these bipartisan, battle-tested programs that protect civilians and support those in uniform.”
“The weight of war on those we ask to conduct it is profound, and includes the invisible wounds carried by those who make it home.” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. “Preventing civilian harm isn’t just about global respect and accountability; it’s about protecting the health and moral integrity of our service members here at home. Our troops deserve every tool and training to minimize civilian harm, safeguarding not only innocent lives but their own well-being. Maintaining robust Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response programs is a non-negotiable investment in our warfighters, directly mitigating the inevitable moral injuries they face and ensuring they uphold the very values they bravely defend. IAVA urges the DoD to preserve and strengthen these vital initiatives.”
“As a veteran of the War in Iraq, I strongly urge Secretary Hegseth to preserve and strengthen civilian harm mitigation programs,” said Naveed Shah, Political Director of CommonDefense.us. “These initiatives not only uphold the honor and values of our military but also protect our service members from the lasting wounds of war. Minimizing civilian harm is what separates us from those who would attack innocent people, it’s how we maintain high standards of high accountability and America’s global leadership.”
“As veterans, we know that you can’t make war clean, but you can try, you must try, to make it right, or as close to right as you can. That’s what the CHMR programs are about—equipping warfighters to make informed decisions, even in combat where those decisions get blurry,” said Chris Purdy, CEO and Founder of The Chamberlain Network. “America’s strength comes not just from our might, but from our morality, which is reflected in CHMR programs. We urge the Department of Defense to uphold these high standards in how we conduct war, in turn reinforcing our leadership on the world stage.”
“Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response programs are essential to the integrity and effectiveness of U.S. military operations,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America. “These programs protect our service members by reducing the risk of unnecessary physical and moral injury, while also upholding our nation’s commitment to ethical conduct and the protection of innocent lives. They not only enhance our operational effectiveness on the ground but also strengthen our moral leadership on the global stage. We call on Secretary Hegseth and the Department of Defense to uphold and expand these critical programs in defense of both our values and our strategic interests.”
