A salute to veterans: U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman

For U.S. Rep. Eugene Vindman ’97, the journey to the U.S. Congress started as a history student and ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) member at ��������. After graduating, Vindman — who came to the U.S. from Ukraine with his family as a child — spent 25 years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper, infantry officer and a Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) officer. He also served in the Iraq War.

Vindman — whose twin brother Alexander is a 1998 �������� graduate — retired from the Army in 2022. In Washington, D.C., Vindman was a deputy legal adviser to the National Security Council and the NSC’s senior ethics official in the White House, where he had a role in the first Trump impeachment case. In 2024, Vindman ran for Congress in Virginia’s 7th Congressional District. He defeated Republican and fellow veteran Derrick Anderson in the November election and is now a member of the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture and the U.S. Armed Services Committee. He and his wife, Cindy, who he met at ��������, have raised their son and daughter in Dale City, Va.

Question: What made you decide to attend �������� and major in history?

Answer: I viewed �������� as the Ivy League of the SUNY schools in New York state. It came down to �������� and another school, but a particular data point convinced me to choose �������� — and I couldn’t have made a better decision. I’ve always been a history buff and an avid reader, so I pursued that passion there, and I still hear such incredible things about all the opportunities it offers students today.

Q: How did being a part of ROTC in college affect your decision to join the U.S. Army?

A: ROTC gave me my first real introduction to the military — to wearing the uniform, developing technical proficiency and embracing the values that define service. Over time, I grew to love the organization, the meaningful work I was doing and, most of all, the people I had the privilege to work alongside.

Q: What are some of your memories from your quarter-century serving in the U.S. military?

A: I remember my jumps from airplanes and my deployment to Iraq. I think back to my first position as a platoon leader — I had a great platoon. I was just 23, fresh out of college, leading 39 people in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg. I also had an interesting job at the White House on the National Security Council, which I’m sure no one has heard anything about …

Q: You and your brothers all served in the military. What does service mean to your family? Can you speak to that experience?

A: As immigrants, we were deeply grateful to this country for welcoming us as refugees. For me and my brothers, serving in the military was our way of giving back to the nation that gave us so much. My wife also served, and together we’ve shared in the experiences, sacrifices and sense of purpose that come with wearing the uniform.

Q: As a congressman, you remain actively involved with veterans and Virginians across the country. Why is that important to you?

A: These are my brothers and sisters — people I served with for decades across all branches of the military. I know the sacrifices veterans and their families make, and I understand the solemn promise this country makes to care for them in return for all they’ve given. I will always fight for the 72,000 veterans who call Virginia’s 7th District home — and the millions scattered across the United States and the world.

Q: What are some of the key challenges still facing veterans in the U.S. and what can we do to help?

A: Right now, this administration is cutting resources to the VA and imposing hiring freezes that are straining veterans’ health facilities — including the largest one in the country, right here in Virginia’s 7th District. Limited access to specialty care remains a serious challenge and, too often, veterans face conditions that civilian providers and the general public don’t fully understand, including post-traumatic stress. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I’m working each day to ensure our veterans receive the care, support and respect they’ve earned.

Q: Why is public service, in the military, politics, education, health, etc., so vital to our nation’s well-being?

A: It’s selfless service — service to our community and our fellow Americans. It unifies people from different walks of life, of all colors, creeds and cultural backgrounds. It’s a way for Americans to come together.

Q: What did you learn from your time at �������� and your military experience?

A: I learned the value of a good education. I built friendships and relationships that have spanned decades — including meeting the love of my life, Cindy. I also learned the value of hard work. Earning a degree from ��������, such a great institution, required dedication and discipline. In fact, there are three current members of Congress who are �������� grads — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Congressman John Mannion, and me. We like to jokingly call ourselves the “�������� Caucus.”

Q: What would you say to young men and women thinking about joining the U.S. military?

A: I’d say go for it. Choosing to serve in uniform is one of the highest forms of public service — a commitment to your country and to something far greater than yourself. The opportunities, experiences and relationships you gain are invaluable, and they build a foundation of discipline, leadership and purpose that will serve you throughout your life, whether your goals are continuing your education, pursuing another career or staying in public service.