Former Army Capt. Luis Carlos Montalván served two tours in Iraq
leading cavalry elements and advisory teams. He contributed to the 3d
ACR's success in 'Operation Restoring Rights' in Tall Afar in 2005 and
served as a participant in AEI's Iraq Planning Group in 2007. His
published work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Baltimore Sun, The Military Times, NPR, and Abu Dhabi among other media outlets. Luis is presently working on dual Master's degrees in Journalism and Strategic Communications at Columbia University in NYC and is a member of the Council for Emerging National Security Affairs (CENSA). Luis is recovering from wounds sustained in combat and is co-founder of the humanitarian organization, Iraq Veterans' Refugee Aid Association (IVRAA).


Rachel Natelson is director of the Veterans and Servicemembers Project at the Urban Justice Center, which provides free legal services to current and former military personnel on matters ranging from veterans disability claims to service discharge applications. The project also pursues systemic reform through litigation and advocacy in such areas as recruiting irregularities, workplace harassment, and inefficiency and abuse in the benefits application process.

Natelson received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her law degree from New York University School of Law.

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