Todd Bowers

Todd Bowers is the Director of Government Affairs for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). IAVA is the country's first and largest non-profit, nonpartisan group for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was founded in 2004 and has more than 80,000 active veteran members and grassroots supporters in all 50 states.

Bowers has served two voluntary tours in Iraq as a Civil Affairs Team Sergeant with the United States Marine Corps. He is now a nationally recognized authority on the war in Iraq and issues affecting troops, military families and veterans. He has appeared on PBS' "The Newshour with Jim Lehrer," MSNBC's "Hardball" and "Countdown with Keith Olbermann," FOX's "The Big Story with John Gibson," and CNN Headline News. On Capitol Hill, Bowers meets regularly with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to promote legislation to improve the lives of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their families. Bowers has testified before Congress and participates in Congressional roundtable discussions on topics including Traumatic Brain Injury, mental health care, and family benefits. He frequently sits down with injured veterans recovering at Walter Reed to assess the challenges they face and steps that can be taken to show them greater support.

On both of his tours in Iraq, Sergeant Bowers' primary mission was to reduce civilian interference with military operations and help the Iraqi people rebuild their country. During his first deployment, Bowers and his team were assigned to 1st BN 2nd Marines in the city of Al Nasiriyah during the push for Baghdad and then assigned to the city of Al Kut. Bowers' team supported 3rd BN 5th Marines in the city of Al Fallujah during his second tour participating with the lead element of Operation Al Fajr.

On October 17, 2004, during his second tour, Bowers was wounded in Fallujah when a sniper bullet hit the scope on top of his rifle and exploded in his face. He suffered shrapnel wounds during the incident and hearing loss in his left ear, and was awarded the Purple Heart and Navy Commendation Medal with a combat "V" for valor.

Bowers studied Middle Eastern Affairs and Arabic at George Washington University in Washington, D.C, and continues to serve his country as a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves.