Each and every day, the selfless service of firefighters across the nation helps keep our communities safe. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 332,400 firefighter jobs in the U.S. in 2018 — and the profession is expected to grow by 5% over the next decade. If you're ready to join the forces of these courageous first responders, here's your complete guide to becoming a firefighter.

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements

In order to become a firefighter in the U.S., you'll have to be at least 18 years old (or 21 in some municipalities). You'll need to hold a valid driver's license, a high school diploma or GED, and a clean criminal record. Keep in mind that requirements vary across different cities and states. You'll also need to possess a few essential qualities, like the compassion and courage it takes to help others in the face of danger.

Getting involved as a volunteer firefighter

Many career firefighters began as volunteers. While volunteering isn't usually required, it can be an excellent first step. There may opportunities to help your local department with public outreach, assist at the station or go for the occasional ride-along. You'll get to know other career firefighters, familiarize yourself with the day-to-day, and make sure the trade is right for you.

Pursuing the right education

You'll have a lot to learn if you want to become a firefighter. You'll need to know all about the equipment and how fires spread, and you'll have to be up to date on emergency management techniques, local building codes and best practices for educating the public. You can study fire science through a technical college or four-year degree program, although a degree isn't always required. Alternatively, you can attend a local fire academy. The U.S. Fire Administration certifies programs across the U.S. and even offers online courses.

Getting physically fit

The work of a firefighter is strenuous, so you'll need to get into shape. To meet the fitness requirements, focus on building muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness and a flexible range of motion. You'll likely undertake a conditioning program if you join a fire academy, and you'll prove your readiness by taking the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).

Earning the necessary certifications

In addition to the CPAT, you'll typically need to be CPR certified. Most fire departments will also require that you become certified as either an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic. You'll also need to become a certified firefighter, which you can either do through your fire academy or through one of the certification courses offered by the National Fire Protection Agency. Veterans are eligible to have their course fees waived.

Acing the application process

Once you're ready to start applying for jobs, you'll have to pass a series of tests in order to get hired. You'll take a written exam, which will test things like your problem-solving and critical thinking abilities, communication skills, memory and interpersonal skills — all things you'll rely on when on the job. Additionally, you'll need to pass physical and psychological screenings as well as a background check and a drug test. Plus, you'll have a few in-person interviews with members of the department.

Once you kick off your career as a firefighter, the journey doesn't stop there. You may eventually advance in the profession, to engineer or lieutenant, and you may have the chance to take on leadership roles on your way to becoming a fire chief. 

In June 2019, the Senate unanimously passed a new bill designating Oct. 28 as "Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day." On the inaugural occasion of this observance, we recognize the vast number of people who serve in these critical roles to protect communities around the nation.

How many citizens serve as first responders?

In 2003, the Department of Homeland Security defined first responders as "individuals who in the early stages of an incident are responsible for the protection and preservation of life, property, evidence, and the environment, including emergency response providers […], as well as emergency management, public health, clinical care, public works, and other skilled support personnel (such as equipment operators) that provide immediate support services during prevention, response, and recovery operations."

According to a 2015 report by the U.S. Department of Labor, there are approximately 1.2 million people employed as first responders. Many of them are veterans, including 10% of emergency medical technicians (EMTs), 19% of firefighters and 25% of police officers who continue their service in communities across the nation.

Additionally, the American Security Council Foundation estimates that another 62.6 million volunteers operate in first-responder capacities, offering emergency support and disaster recovery aid. The following statistics from the ASCF illustrate just how many people it takes to keep the nation safe from harm and provide emergency aid in times of trouble.

Emergency medical service (EMS) professionals care for patients before they arrive at the hospital, transporting and treating 16 million patients by ambulance each year. Around 890,000 EMS professionals currently serve in the U.S., including about 142,000 paramedics and 600,000 EMTs.

Law enforcement officers patrol local communities, protecting citizens in need and putting a stop to criminal threats and activities. An estimated 800,000 police officers serve throughout the U.S.

Firefighters rush to road incidents, burning buildings and citizens in danger to put out fires, administer rescue operations and provide life support services. Of the 1.3 million firefighters in the U.S., about 31% are career firefighters and 69% are volunteers.

How can we honor first responders?

First responders work long hours, face significant dangers, and risk their lives in service of others. On National First Responders Day, we remember those who have saved lives and those who have lost their own in the line of duty. We thank those who bravely fight to save the people and property impacted by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Additionally, we recognize those whose courage, readiness, and day-to-day service too often goes unnoticed.

Communities around the U.S. have erected monuments and memorials, distributed commemorative coins, and organized tributes to thank first responders for their sacrifice and service. On a more personal level, there are plenty of ways to show gratitude to the selfless individuals in our lives and communities.

You can express your support by mailing a thank-you note to a paramedic unit or sending a gift basket to your local fire department. Donate your time or money to a charitable drive or cause hosted by the first responders in your area. Use your online presence to dedicate a few words to our nation's first responders, or simply say "thank you" when you see a police officer at work.

As Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin said in a statement, "Our first responders save countless lives every day, and many tragically pay the ultimate price in the line of duty — a sacrifice we should never forget. Designating a day to honor their service and sacrifice is the least we can do to express our gratitude."

Suicide among veterans and members of the Armed Forces continues to be a concern. As the numbers rise and persist, those across the military community are trying to find solutions that can help those at risk find help. Sometimes that may come through a creative outlet, as Operation Song has showed to be possible.

An organization that has teamed with the Department of Veterans Affairs, Operation Song connections veterans with musicians and songwriters. The aim? To translate pain, anxiety, experiences and suffering into song, and through that process achieve some form of therapeutic relief.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month in the U.S., and it's important to recognize the efforts of Operation Song as it continues to try to help those dealing with dark times.

What is Operation Song?

A nonprofit based in Nashville, Operation Song started in 2012 and has helped write some 700 songs, working with everyone from World War II veterans to those currently serving. Created by Bob Reagan, a Grammy-nominated songwriter, Operation Song has a diverse board of directors, including veterans, professional musicians and other military stakeholders. That makeup reflects the organization's mission to empower those struggling with PTSD, suicidal thoughts or injuries sustained from service by immersing them in the songwriting process. Not only does writing a song help them process emotions or work through thoughts, but the final product can be a cathartic release, as well as a lasting memory.

Reagan started with a single weekly session at a VA center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, that gathered eight veterans and a musical therapist. The program has since expanded to several regular sessions held throughout Middle Tennessee, as well as retreats where a veteran can be paired one on one with a songwriter. There is zero requirement for veterans to have a previous background in music, all they need is impetus to tell a personal story or honor those they served with.

VA seeks increased collaboration

The success that Operation Song has found with veterans and active duty members has led the VA to expand a partnership with the nonprofit, according to Military.com. Operation Song held a pilot retreat in 2018, and another in the summer of 2019. The results were positive enough to lead the VA to join as co-host of a national workshop and retreat to be held in November 2019.

"VA is always striving to find unique ways to help Veterans build on their military experiences, and music therapy is just one component of VA's robust Recreation Therapy programs, which serve Veterans around the country," said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie in a statement. "Music can provide an outlet for expression of feelings, as well as be an avenue of communication for those who find it difficult to express themselves."

One of the most notable songs that has been produced through Operation Song is "Last Monday in May," whose subject is Memorial Day through the years. The song was a collective effort written by six Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam veterans, as has been performed at the Grande Ole Opry in Nashville, as well as at the National Mall for the past five Memorial Days.

While those who want to work with Operation Song must be referred through a VA provider, those who do cannot say enough for what the program did for them.

" … I was in a rough spot before. I had contemplated suicide," Van Booth, a retired infantryman. told the Montrose Press of Colorado. "When I say Operation Song saved my life, that's what I mean."

To learn more about Operation Song, visit its site today. Or, get involved in National Suicide Prevention Month.

Posttraumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a mental disorder that can develop after someone has been forced to experience a traumatic event, such as the conditions of battle and warfare. Although a psychological condition, there are severe physical risks associated with PTSD, as sufferers are at a heightened risk of self-harm and suicide.

Good mental health has always been one of the first casualties of war, but society's understanding of PTSD has changed considerably over the years. In World War I, soldiers suffering from various nervous and mental symptoms were said to be suffering from "shell shock." In World War II, the diagnosis was changed to "combat stress fatigue."

PTSD became an official psychiatric diagnosis in 1980, which was strongly influenced by the experiences and conditions of U.S. military veterans of the Vietnam War. A study conducted in the late 80s determined 15% of Vietnam veterans were suffering from PTSD, and today the VA estimates that 30% of Vietnam vets have had PTSD at some point in their lifetime.

About 12% of Gulf War veterans have PTSD, while somewhere between 11 and 20% of soldiers who fought in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom are estimated to be afflicted with the condition.

These numbers are alarming, and speak to the importance of providing mental health resources to our nation's soldiers. And on June 27, advocates are especially emphatic in making that point.

How to advance the cause of PTSD awareness

PTSD Awareness Day can trace its origins back to the tragedy of Staff Sergeant Joe Biel, a North Dakota National Guard member who took his own life in 2007 following two tours in Iraq. SSgt. Biel, who suffered from PTSD, committed suicide after his return from duty to his home state.

In 2010, Senator Kent Conrad led the effort to get official recognition of PTSD via a "day of awareness," and SSgt. Biel's birthday, June 27, was chosen as the official PTSD Awareness Day, according to Military Benefits. In 2014, the Senate expounded upon the annual observance by designating the full month of June as National PTSD Awareness Month.

Today, individuals primarily observe PTSD Awareness Day by encouraging open conversations about the disorder, with frank and informative discussions of its causes, symptoms and available treatment methods. Despite the fact that it has been an official medical diagnosis for nearly four decades, PTSD is still frequently misunderstood, particularly by those who have only seen it portrayed in movies and other pop culture dramatizations.

To aid in this effort, the Department of Defense publishes circulars, articles and other materials designed to better educate and inform military members and their families about PTSD. Furthermore, the VA's website has lots of articles and resources dedicated to PTSD, and when retiring military members fill out their VA claim forms, there is an option to be evaluated for PTSD.

If you or someone you know is potentially suffering from PTSD, it's important to look for the warning signs. Though not always the case, common non-specific symptoms include irritability, depression and, particularly prevalent in veterans and active military members with the condition, something known as "hypervigilance" or "hyperarousal." Repeatedly experiencing a traumatic event through flashbacks, nightmares and persistent memories is another symptom of PTSD. The biggest red flag is suicidal ideation, and anyone experiencing such thoughts should immediately seek help.

The mental scars accrued in combat are often far more difficult to heal than the physical wounds, but there is always hope for recovery. PTSD Awareness Month is the perfect time to make sure that message reaches everyone who needs to hear it.

The oldest and most senior branch of the United States military in order of precedence, the U.S. Army actually predates the U.S. itself. Congress established the First Continental Army on June 14, 1775, more than a full year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to recruit professionally trained soldiers that could combat the British "Redcoats" in the Revolutionary War.

In the centuries since then, America's Army has grown into a fighting force with approximately half a million active-duty soldiers. And on Friday, June 14, 2019, the U.S. Army will observe its 244th birthday, affording military servicemembers and civilians alike an opportunity to celebrate the branch's rich history and continued role as a force for good in the world.

How to celebrate the U.S. Army's birthday in 2019

The Army's birthday is not an official state or federal holiday, meaning government offices and private places of business remain open on June 14th, while Army and Department of Defense agencies typically choose to celebrate the occasion at the base or local level with special events, ceremonies and social occasions.

The USO, AMVETS, The American Legion, VFW and other military service organizations also usually observe the holiday on a local or agency-wide level each year. If you would like to know if and how the birthday is being celebrated in your community, you can reach out to the local chapter of your preferred Veterans Service Organization.

One unique annual celebration is the Army Birthday Ball, which is held at military bases, community centers, civilian hotels and other applicable sites around the world. This black-tie formal event features military members in full-service dress, also known as "Dress Blues" or "Mess Dress," and includes a long list of traditions that are intended to pay respect to those who sacrificed life and limb to serve, and to welcome the newest members of the service and salute the future of the Army at large.

In that spirit, one of the most popular traditions at the ball is the cutting of the Army birthday cake, in which the oldest serving soldier and the youngest serving soldier use a ceremonial saber to cut the first slice. Another common tradition is the receiving line, in which Army leaders personally greet each attendee entering the ballroom, and the giving of toasts to the United States, military families and to fallen comrades, the latter toast one that is always respectfully answered in silence.

This year, the 244th U.S. Army Birthday Ball will be held at the Washington Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. on the evening of Saturday, June 15, and to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Normandy invasion, will feature a theme of "honoring the call to service from D-Day to Today." Similarly, on June 14, all U.S. Army veterans and active duty personnel will receive free admission to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia.

Several other high profile military celebrations will be taking place that weekend, as well. Different chapters of the Association of the United States Army will be holding their own Birthday Balls in various venues across the country on June 14 and 15. Additionally, Fort Knox will be hosting a birthday bash on June 14 that includes a variety of community events, all of which will be open to the general public.

Additionally, private citizens can always organize events in their own community, or find ways to celebrate with friends and family. The 244th anniversary of the U.S. Army provides a wonderful opportunity to both reflect on the centuries of sacrifice that have come before, and celebrate the bright future that lies ahead for America's fighting force.

On Tuesday, June 6, 1944, the Allied forces of World War II landed on the beaches of Normandy, with over 160,000 men participating in history's largest seaborne invasion. By the end of D-Day, none of the assault forces had secured their first-day objectives, and an estimated 10,000 Allied soldiers were killed, wounded or missing in action, including 6,603 American casualties.

Yet over the course of the following days, the Allies gradually expanded their foothold, and began the liberation of German-occupied France, and eventually Europe, from Nazi control.

Though historians still debate what the "D" stood for, there is no disputing the legacy of D-Day, which will forever be remembered as one of the U.S. military's finest hours. And this year, as that fateful day turns 75 years old, several special ceremonies and events have been planned to commemorate the heroism displayed on the beaches of Normandy all those years ago.

D-Day observances planned for the 75th anniversary

The small community of Bedford, Virginia, lost 20 of the 32 sons it sent to the invasion of Normandy, earning the town the tragic yet honorable distinction of sustaining the highest per capita D-Day losses of any American city. In 2001, Bedford became the site of the National D-Day Memorial, which this year will observe the 75th Anniversary by hosting six days of ceremonies, displays, interviews and more, beginning June 4 and concluding on June 9.

Included in the schedule of events is an aerial tribute to veterans on the morning of June 6, followed by a commemorative observance titled "The Final Salute," which organizers expect will represent the last large gathering of D-Day veterans around the globe. The itinerary for that Thursday also includes World War II reenactments, a USO show and a free screening of "Saving Private Ryan," which memorably and thrillingly depicts the U.S. forces landing at Omaha Beach.

Other commemorative events will be held on the day of the 75th anniversary in Alexandria, Virginia; Louisville, Kentucky and Wheaton, Illinois, according to this list of D-Day observances being held throughout the world.

Each year, thousands of people visit Normandy to reflect on the acts of sacrifice that took place there more than seven decades ago. And for the 75th anniversary, one very special visitor will be making a return trip of sorts.

In 2015, a derelict airplane was discovered in a boneyard in Wisconsin, and aviation historians determined it was actually the plane that led the D-Day invasion. Donors were able to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the plane's restoration, and by 2018, it was once again in flying condition.

And on June 5, the historic Dakota C-47 will meet up with a dozen other European Dakotas to form a "D-Day Squadron" that will recreate the start of Normandy invasion by crossing the English Channel, according to the New York Times.

"That's why we're doing this mission," said Andy Maag, who is piloting the 75-year-old C-47. "We're bringing history to life."

A push to extend more health benefits to "Blue Water" Navy veterans of the Vietnam War appears to be gaining momentum.

Members of the House recently voted to make permanent a court ruling that grants benefits to roughly 90,000 sailors who claim to have been exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, advancing the legislation to the Senate and encouraging advocates who have long fought for these protections.

Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act would alter VA policy

The infamous Agent Orange is an herbicide that was widely used as part of the U.S. military's "Operation Ranch Hand," which lasted from 1962 until 1971. The operation's objective was to spray chemicals that would deprive the Viet Cong of food and vegetation cover, but the toxicity of the herbicide had the unintended consequence of causing significant health problems for the many individuals who were exposed to it.

It is the Department of Veterans Affairs' current position that the vets who served on open sea ships off the shores of Vietnam, often referred to as "Blue Water Veterans," were not exposed to Agent Orange since they never set foot on the Indochina Peninsula. As a result, the VA requires that these Blue Water veterans "show on a factual basis" that they were actually exposed to herbicides during their military service in order to receive disability compensation for diseases related to Agent Orange.

However, veterans advocates have long maintained that the burden of proof should not be on those who served, and many lawmakers are inclined to agree.

"I've no way to prove where I walked 40 years ago," said ranking Veterans Affairs Committee member Rep. Phil Roe, R-Tenn., who served near the Korean demilitarized zone.

This proposed legislative fix was primarily triggered by a January Federal Circuit decision in the case of Procopio v. Wilkie, which ruled that Blue Water veterans were, in fact, entitled to a presumption of benefits under the Agent Orange Act of 1991, vindicating former sailors who fought for years to challenge the VA's decision to limit the presumption standard only to those soldiers who had "boots on the ground." It appears unlikely that the VA will challenge the court's decision, according to Bloomberg Government, which is why some in Congress are pushing to officially codify and fund the expansion of benefits.

On May 14, 2019, House members voted to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act, which extends access to VA benefits related to Agent Orange illnesses to the sailors who served off the coast of Vietnam, as well as veterans who served near the demilitarized zone on the Korean Peninsula beginning in September 1967. If passed, the bill would also require the VA to identify American military bases in Thailand where Agent Orange was used.

House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman Rep. Mark Takano and Rep. Roe have said that they have included a funding plan that will cover the cost of extending new benefits to veterans for the treatment of Agent Orange illnesses.

"Congress has failed our Blue Water Navy veterans – plain and simple," said Rep. Mark Takano. "It was unjust then and it is unjust now. But today we have an opportunity to right this wrong. Congress didn't find the resolve to act until 1991 and it left out key groups exposed to agent orange… effectively denying their suffering that was a direct result of their service. This bill is the quickest and surest way to deliver benefits to these veterans."

Supporters in the House are now asking their colleagues in the Senate to take up and pass the legislation, as are veteran advocates who are also championing the bill.

"For decades, tens of thousands of veterans, their families and survivors have been denied their earned benefits," leaders of veterans service organizations wrote in a letter to Takano and Roe, according to ConnectingVets.com. "While it is long past due, it is time that we correct the injustice done to Blue Water Navy veterans and provide protection of the Procopio decision by passing H.R. 299."

In 1999, the late Senator John McCain, himself a former naval pilot and prisoner of war in Vietnam, introduced legislation to designate the month of May as National Military Appreciation Month. Each and every year for the past two decades, the Senate and House of Representatives have adopted resolutions urging the President to issue a proclamation that calls on the people of the United States to recognize and honor U.S. service members as "an act of national unity."

There are a variety of ways for ordinary Americans to heed this call and pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve our country at home and abroad. From recognizing the many national days of observance that take place throughout the month, to performing individual acts of kindness for service members, here are some of the best ways to demonstrate your gratitude this National Military Appreciation Month.

National observances during National Military Appreciation Month

NMAM kicks off each year on May 1 with Loyalty Day, a special day set aside "for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom." First celebrated in 1921, Loyalty Day was made an official recurring holiday by Congress in 1958, and has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president since Dwight Eisenhower.

Every May also presents the opportunity to commemorate Victory in Europe Day, which occurred on May 8, 1945, and represented the end of World War II in Europe. This year, VE Day will fall on Wednesday, May 8, and will mark the 74th anniversary of Germany's unconditional surrender to America and the allied forces.

VE Day is shortly followed by Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which traditionally occurs on the Friday before Mother's Day. On May 10, 2019, Americans will honor military spouses with appropriate ceremonies and activities, and recognize the crucial part that military families have to play in strengthening our Armed Forces.

Celebrated the third Saturday in May every year, and this year on May 18, Armed Forces Day is a time reserved for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their service. This holiday celebrates every member of every branch of the U.S. military: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

The last Monday of May is reserved for Memorial Day, a federal holiday meant to commemorate the men and women who died while in military service. This year, Memorial Day falls on May 27, 2019, and events are scheduled to take place throughout the country, with military parades happening in many cities and towns.

How to demonstrate your gratitude this May

There are many individual gestures you can make during NMAM, either in conjunction with one of the individual national observances, or simply as a random act of gratitude.

If there is a specific service member or military family in your life, you can let them know you appreciate their sacrifices with a gift, a thank you card or simply by taking the time to tell them. Offering to cook dinner for a military family or handle their chores on Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a good way to show you care. Similarly, calling and thanking a service member on May 18 is a great way to truly celebrate Armed Forces Day.

If you would like to reach out to service members you are not personally acquainted with, remember that a care package is always welcome. Operation Support Our Troops America has a program that ships boxes full of comfort items to men and women serving abroad, and you can find ways to donate, volunteer or join the mission on their website.

You can also do it on your own. The U.S. Postal Service offers a free "Military Care Kit" with all of the necessary supplies for sending packages overseas, including boxes, packing tape and customs forms. Get your free kit shipped to you by visiting the USPS website.

The brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces protect our nation day in and day out, and are deserving of our respect and thanks all year long. But National Military Appreciation Month should inspire us to make a special effort to show our appreciation and display conspicuous acts of gratitude. 

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces bravely put their lives on the line for their country, regularly putting themselves at risk of both physical and mental injuries that can create lifelong scars. Some of these occupational hazards are obvious, while others are lesser known and cry out for more attention.

A 2016 United Health Foundation survey of one million veterans and civilians found that the former group was more likely than the latter to contract arthritis (25 percent for vets compared to 23 percent for civilians), cardiovascular disease (10 percent versus 7 percent), cancers (11 percent versus 10 percent) and illnesses that leave them functionally impaired (26 percent versus 21 percent).

Along those same lines, a North Carolina Medical Journal study concluded that osteoarthritis is one of the leading causes of military discharge during armed conflict, second only to combat wounds.

With more active-duty personnel and veterans developing arthritis as a result of their service, advocates are now asking Congress to increase funding for more research into potential methods for combating the disease.

ACR lobbying CDMRP to designate arthritis a research subject

In total, arthritis encompasses more than 100 diseases, including both degenerative and inflammatory varieties. The inflammatory forms typically involve immune-system disorders like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Considering the types of physical activity mandated by military life, no one should be too surprised by the sheer prevalence of the disease among those who serve. The most susceptible service members are those who suffer knee injuries while deployed, with one recent study showing that one in five military members with a knee injury develop radiographic arthritis before the age of 30, cutting short the careers of many heroes still in the prime of their life.

"[Young veterans with arthritis] will be looking at a knee replacement in their early 40s versus a peer in the civilian world that may not have been subjected to a mechanical injury getting a knee replacement in their 60s or 70s," Dr. Colin Edgerton, chair of the American College of Rheumatology's Committee on Rheumatological Care, told the Military Times.

A former Army rheumatologist, Dr. Edgerton spent his time in the military treating soldiers with musculoskeletal disorders and, as part of his duties, had to judge whether those with arthritis needed to be medically discharged. Witnessing first-hand the impact the disease had on service members' lives and careers turned Dr. Edgerton into a fierce advocate for arthritis prevention.

"It's about stopping those injuries before they occur so that that person is not looking at early joint replacement surgery and disability at a point in life where they otherwise would not have had that," he said.

Dr. Edgerton and the American College of Rheumatology are hoping legislators will fund research that may uncover new methods of prevention and treatment. More specifically, they're hoping to have arthritis listed as a "line item" in the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs budget for fiscal-year 2020, which would mark the disease as a research subject worthy of sharper focus and increased funding.

"If there was a dedicated line in that research budget for arthritis, that would go a long way toward establishing kind of a sustainable focus on arthritis, since it is such a high-impact disease in the military population," Dr. Edgerton stressed.

Arthritis was previously listed as an area of interest in the Army's 2018 Medical Research and Material Command program, but only received roughly $6 million in research funding. By contrast, in 2019 the CDMRP allocated $130 million for breast cancer research.

Though the Congressional Arthritis Caucus made a failed attempt to have the disease included as a line item in the 2019 CDMRP, Dr. Edgerton hopes 2020 will be the year Congress finally funds research into this career-killing and life-altering ailment.

"Just three years ago we kind of recognized that this is something that needed to be done and each year we … get more support," he noted optimistically. "So we hope this is the year that we actually get it done."

In 2011, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs surveyed U.S. veterans and found that a third of them were interested in childcare services, and more than one in ten said they had canceled or rescheduled at least one VA appointment due to lack of childcare. In response, the VA initiated a pilot program that set up three child care centers with free drop-in services for veterans with children.

Because the pilot was set to expire after one year, Congress had to reauthorize it four times since it first launched. However, it now appears likely that the program will finally become permanent, after the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed legislation that would provide free child care for certain veterans at VA facilities nationwide.

Bill would help veterans with issues requiring intensive and recurring treatment

The Veterans' Access to Child Care Act, H.R. 840, would provide free child care to veterans who are seeking help from the VA for certain intensive and recurring medical and mental health care issues, such as treatment for cancer or therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder. The law would expand and make permanent the 2011 pilot program, which has grown from three to five locations in the last few years.

In 2015, the VA estimated that more than 10,000 children had received free daycare in the first four years of the program's existence, with women veterans taking advantage of the program in significantly higher numbers than their male counterparts, according to Stars and Stripes. This was part of the VA's justification for starting the pilot, based on their estimation that women would constitute 10 percent of the veteran population by 2020, and 9.5 percent of all VA patients.

The legislation requires the VA to either provide child care on site, provide veterans with a stipend for the full cost of child care at licensed facilities, directly pay the facilities or collaborate with other agencies. The bill would also extend to grandparents and other primary caretakers.

"We made a promise that our veterans will get the care they've earned," Rep. Julia Brownley of California told the Military Times. "We can't put insurmountable roadblocks in front of their ability to receive that care."

Brownley introduced the legislation, and said that the VA secretary will ultimately determine which veterans are eligible for the program, but the intent is to help those with serious health care problems that require

"For example, a veteran who is undergoing cancer treatment cannot afford to miss medical appointments – and may need a safe place to leave their young child while they receive chemotherapy or radiation therapy," said Rep. Brownley. "Likewise, veterans who have regular mental healthcare appointments may need assistance with child care, because it would be inappropriate for young children to be present for tough conversations with a therapist."

The bill still needs to pass the Senate before it can be signed into law, but it appears to have broad bipartisan support.