Martin J. Barrett, 74, lives in Henderson, Nevada. He has six children: Brion, Jennifer, Melinda, Rebbeca, Jessica and Andrea.
Barrett was handpicked by his local draft board in June 1970 and began serving. He served in the Army for 19 months, including nine months in Vietnam.
Barrett began helping veterans with their disability claims in 2015 as the VFW Post 3848 service officer. Last year, he became a VFW Accredited Service Officer after he was encouraged to take the role by a colleague who sat on the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.
Barrett says that the most challenging part of the job is helping his fellow veterans receive the proper rating. But his own experience motivates him to do all he can on their behalf.
“It took me five years to receive a 100% disability rating,” he said. “It makes my day when I can help another veteran get their disability [rating].”
Learn more about the VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) program.