‘This Is More Than Paperwork’

Growing up in foster care as a child, Stefani Stephens didn't have a lot of stability in her life. After a divorce and being the mom of two young children, she was looking for security.

Stephens says she had "always felt an affinity for the military," and at age 23, she joined the U.S. Army.

A deployment to Iraq and tours in Korea equipped Stephens for more than just her duties as a movement control specialist.

"These experiences shaped my resilience, discipline and commitment to service," Stephens, 49, said.

In fact, those skills and passion are now beneficial for her current role as a VFW Accredited Service Officer.

In her daily work, Stephens says, "I advocate for veterans and their families by guiding them through the VA claims and appeals process, ensuring they receive the benefits they have earned."

Before working for the VFW, she spent a year living in Mexico, reflecting on doing work that "truly mattered," she explained. In an unexpected but significant way, this prompted her to approach the opportunity to help veterans.

"I walked into the VSO office at the Tucson VA hospital and said, 'I want to work here,'" she said.

After serving as a volunteer for six weeks, she secured an interview and was hired the same day.

"Helping veterans gives me a deep sense of purpose," she said. "Everything I have lived - my military service, personal challenges, overseas work and healing work - led naturally to this role. Supporting veterans feels like the work I was always meant to do."

Stephens insisted that while it's ultimately rewarding, her job can also be demanding at times.

"The biggest challenge is carrying the emotional weight of the stories veterans share," she said. "Many carry decades of trauma or frustration. Balancing empathy with a high caseload is difficult, but being someone they trust makes it meaningful."

She cites an example of a situation she faced while helping a Vietnam veteran who'd lived with survivor's guilt for many years.

"As we built his claim, he began opening up about things he had never spoken aloud," she said. "Watching him find even a small measure of peace - and seeing how being understood can heal - reminded me that this work is far more than paperwork. It is about restoring dignity, humanity and hope."

Learn more about the VFW's National Veterans Service (NVS) program.