Pacific Battleship Center

a 501(c) non-profit
USS Iowa Hours:  10:00am-4:00pm

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Military & Veterans Programs

Restoring Purpose Through Belonging

We honor those who serve by fostering connection, healing, and continued mission — through community, career support, and shared service.

“Purpose doesn’t retire. It finds new meaning in the connections we build and the communities we serve.”
— Anonymous

Military & Veterans Programs

Restoring Purpose Through Belonging

Our Military & Veterans Programs honor those who serve and have served by fostering connection, healing, and continued purpose. Through social interest groups, career networking, and meaningful ceremonies, we create space for service members and veterans to reconnect with community and mission. As a proud DoD SkillBridge site, we also support transitioning service members by providing real-world experience, mentorship, and pathways to civilian success. Whether mentoring youth, reuniting with shipmates, or standing in quiet tribute, each moment builds a stronger, more connected military and veteran community.

Connection & Purpose

Building meaningful relationships that restore identity, mission, and camaraderie beyond service. Through peer programs, interest groups, and shared experiences, we help veterans rediscover the purpose that unites us.

Service Through Leadership

Encouraging veterans to stay mission-driven by mentoring youth, leading volunteer teams, or supporting community resilience efforts.

Career &  Transition Support

Helping service members prepare for civilian life through networking events, mentorship, and hands-on experience — including DoD SkillBridge fellowships.

Health & Wellness Support

Connecting veterans with resources and peer programs that prioritize mental health, physical well-being, and life balance.

Honor & Ceremonies

Honoring the legacy, sacrifice, and continued service of our armed forces through dignified ceremonies aboard Battleship IOWA. From Memorial Day and Veterans Day to retirements, re-enlistments, and special observances, these moments foster reflection, pride, and community.

Building Bridges

We build bridges between the military and the community through active-duty tours, Fleet Week participation, collaborative outreach, and training opportunities. These experiences foster trust, strengthen relationships, and create shared understanding between service members, civilians, and first responders. By connecting before crisis, we enhance community resilience, support smoother transitions, and build a foundation of cooperation that endures.

Contact Us

877-446-9261 ext. 762
veterans@labattleship.com

Interest Groups

A growing network of social interest groups call Battleship IOWA home — each contributing to the strength and impact of our military and veterans programs. These groups provide opportunities for camaraderie, shared purpose, and meaningful engagement through gatherings, events, outreach, and mentorship. Together, they form a supportive ecosystem that fosters connection, belonging, and renewed purpose for service members, veterans, and their families.

Surface Navy Association

Battleship IOWA (Greater Los Angeles Area) SNA Chapter The Battleship IOWA Chapter meets aboard the historic US Navy battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) in the community of San...
USMC USS Iowa

Marine Corps League Big Stick Det 1496

Marine Corps League Mission The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen...
Sea Cadets

Sea Cadets – Battleship IOWA Division

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Sea Cadets) is the Navy’s youth development program. We give young Americans skills, knowledge, and confidence through an...
AL Post 61 meeting

American Legion Battleship IOWA Post 61

California American Legion post now aboard the USS Iowa Excerpts By Michael Hjelmstad During its 50 years of service from 1940 to 1990, speed, big guns, heavy armor and...
Riders

American Legion Riders Chapter 61

American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools,...

Resources & Updates

MVA Inquiry

Contact Us (Military & Veterans Affairs) Whether you're a veteran, active-duty service member, or family member, we're here to support you. Reach out to connect...

Military Ceremonies

Military Ceremonies Aboard Battleship IOWA Honor your service and mark your milestone aboard one of the most iconic ships in U.S. Navy history. Whether it's a...

Surface Navy Association

Battleship IOWA (Greater Los Angeles Area) SNA Chapter The Battleship IOWA Chapter meets aboard the historic US Navy battleship USS IOWA (BB-61) in the community of San...
USMC USS Iowa

Marine Corps League Big Stick Det 1496

Marine Corps League Mission The mission of the Marine Corps League is to promote the interest and to preserve traditions of the United States Marine Corps; strengthen...
Sea Cadets

Sea Cadets – Battleship IOWA Division

The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (Sea Cadets) is the Navy’s youth development program. We give young Americans skills, knowledge, and confidence through an...
AL Post 61 meeting

American Legion Battleship IOWA Post 61

California American Legion post now aboard the USS Iowa Excerpts By Michael Hjelmstad During its 50 years of service from 1940 to 1990, speed, big guns, heavy armor and...
Riders

American Legion Riders Chapter 61

American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools,...

What USS Iowa Means to the 1989 Crew

Reflections from CIO David CanfieldRemembering And Returning   As a nineteen-year-old, Battleship IOWA Vice President and Chief Information/Technology Officer...

Scuttlebutt Extra: Judge Eileen Moore on Vietnam Veterans

Judge Eileen Moore served as a combat nurse in Vietnam in the Army Nurse Corp, where she was Lieutenant Eileen Moore. Following Vietnam she went to college, law school,...

Jesse Mendoza and VPAN: Making a Difference for Veterans aboard Battleship IOWA

If you follow this podcast, you know that veterans are a priority at Battleship IOWA. To that end, for over a year, we have been home to the Los Angeles branch of...

Ben Poucher & Warrior Sailing: Healing & Strengthening Veterans Through Sailing

Battleship IOWA is proud to be a safe haven for veterans as well as a resource and connection to programs dedicated to their well-being. Today, we're highlighting a...

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach: A Visit With Lt. Adam Tellez and MNC Brian Chickering From The Mine Shop

Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach lies on the Southern California coast between Long Beach and Huntington Beach. Dating back to 1944, this 5,000 acre complex features...

Kristen Burns-Agria: SkillBridge Intern on Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life

Since early January we've been fortunate to have Kristen Burns-Agria with us. She's active Navy and a participant in SkillBridge - an internship program from the...

Captain Tyler O’Connor: US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Pilot

We managed to sneak two podcast recording sessions in during #LAFleetWeek. Here's the second.Meet US Marine Corps captain Tyler O'Connor. Tyler and his crew brought in...

Brian O’Rourke: Navy Region Southwest Media Relations Officer

This episode finds our team sleep-deprived, sun-burned, and hours away from the finish of LA Fleet Week 2022. Despite the lack of coherence, they managed to coordinate...

Underserved Women Veteran Project

The Battleship IOWA Museum is excited to announce the launch of the Underserved Veteran Women Project in partnership with the Veteran Peer Access Network (VPAN) and...

Veterans Resource Center Welcome Sign Naming Campaign Week 4

  Catching Up with our Core Pillars Battleship IOWA Museum is dedicated to creating a positive impact that ripples far beyond the footprint of the ship's...

Veterans Resource Center

A new Veterans Resource Center is coming to the Battleship IOWA. You can join in welcoming veterans to the ship with this once-in-a-lifetime Inscription...

Exciting News for Veterans Day 2020

Join us for VIRTUAL VETERANS DAY! We're taking Veterans Day online this year, and we've got three ways for our vets to celebrate! World of Warships Virtual Fleet Week...

Battleship IOWA Virtual Film Screening: The Outpost

Today marks the nineteenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. That day was a watershed for many young people. It...
Battleship IOWA veteran Pete Bigler III

Meet USS IOWA WWII Veteran Pete Bigler III

One of the most amazing things about being around Battleship IOWA is the stories you hear that you never expect. We opened a message in our Facebook inbox and...
Operation Crush COVID

Operation Crush COVID Week 2: Our Veterans

You've heard about our Veterans pillar, right? Well step aboard Battleship IOWA and you won't just find an imposing, storied ship with beautiful lines. You'll find a...

France Gives Nation’s Highest Honor To 19 WWII Veterans In SoCal

The French government is presenting its highest honors to 19 Southern Californians who served in World War II. On Friday, the French consul general presented the...

USS Iowa in San Pedro hosts last black survivor of Pearl Harbor attack

The attack at Pearl Harbor sent flames flying all around the USS Jarvis as it bobbed alongside a dock in the shadow of a large warehouse, undamaged by the barrage of...

Student Organizes Christmas Card Signing for Troops

While many Americans will be spending time with family and enjoying a meal together, the holidays for U.S. troops overseas will be spent away from home. That fact...

Veterans Programs Made Possible by Visionary Funders and Donors

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