Empowering Veterans Through Servant Leadership: National American Legion College (NALC), Class of 2025

Written by Elizabeth Martinez Gonzalez, 1st Vice Commander, Department of PR

National American Legion College Class of 2025

Photo by Jennifer Blohm/The American Legion

At the end of November, the Class of 2025 officially completed its journey in Indianapolis, graduating 54 exceptional students from across the nation.

To ensure a transformative educational experience, National Headquarters assembled 17 highly skilled educators from around the country, providing each participant with the tools, training, and guidance grounded in the principles of Servant Leadership. Through this rigorous and inspiring program, a new generation of leaders is being prepared to serve with integrity, purpose, and dedication, strengthening our organization and elevating its mission nationwide.

Through servant leadership education, Legion College graduate Elizabeth Martínez González, Commander of Post 45 and 1st Vice Commander of the Department of Puerto Rico, shared her reflections on the experience. She highlighted the impact of Daniel Seehafer, NALC Chancellor & Past National Commander; Mike Rohan, Dean of the National American Legion College; and the distinguished instructors who guided the class:

“They equipped us not only with knowledge, but with the tools to strengthen our organization, serve our veterans, and lead with intention. One of the most impactful lessons we learned was the value of mentorship, the call to seek leaders who inspire, to elevate others, and to lead through service. This week, we were surrounded by leaders whose example we can profoundly follow.”

Prior to graduation, the National American Legion College of Class of 2025 expressed its gratitude to Seehafer and Rohan by presenting $650 in donations to support the Veterans & Children Foundation and the Be the One suicide prevention mission. “We felt it was important to honor their examples in a way that extends service forward,” Martínez González stated.

In the opening remarks, Dan K. Wiley, National Commander of The American Legion, congratulated the Class of 2025 and left them with a powerful message:

“Don’t waste the week that you’ve had here. Go home, spread the message, and be the multiplier.”

Commander Wiley emphasized that the National American Legion College exists to sharpen the advocacy and leadership skills of those who will play critical roles in the future of the organization. He reminded graduates that their responsibility is to become message multipliers, sharing their experiences and insights with fellow American Legion Family members and potential new members.

Wiley further noted that a servant leader is one who is the first to arrive and the last to leave, someone who is never too big to do the little things, who leads authentically, and who takes care of others.

“The belief that we are veterans who advocate for veterans and their families and take care of one another is what we do. It’s who we are,” Wiley added. “We are better together. That’s servant leadership.”

If you are a member of The American Legion, we encourage you to learn more about the incredible work our organization accomplishes in Puerto Rico and around the world. By completing the American Legion Basic Training Course (legion.org/alei), you will gain a deeper understanding of our mission, the services we provide, and the impact we make on veterans, their families, and our communities.

If you are ready to take the next step into a leadership role, we invite you to speak with us. We would be honored to schedule a thoughtful and comfortable conversation to learn more about your strengths, interests, and the areas where you may wish to serve or lead within our organization. Your skills and passion can make a meaningful difference. Together, we can continue to strengthen our Legion Family.

If you're interested in joining the American Legion in the Department of Puerto Rico or if you're a leader looking for a challenge and want to secure one of our spots at the National American Legion College, please contact our Department for more details at dept.adj.pr@gmail.com or dept.pr.pr@gmail.com

Congratulations to all the Graduates. The future of The American Legion is in capable hands.