About Us
About the California State Commanders Veterans Council (CSCVC):
Founded in 1966, the California State Commanders Veterans Council is recognized in state law as the collective voice for California’s major veterans service organizations. CSCVC supports veterans through advocacy efforts aimed at enhancing the rights, benefits, and well-being of California’s 1.6 million veterans and their dependents. Currently, 23 of the state’s leading veteran service organizations are represented on the Commanders’ Council.
Mission Statement:
The purpose of the California State Veterans Commanders Council shall be to promote the rights and benefits of veterans in the State of California. The Council may conduct advocacy efforts in the State Legislature in support of, or opposition to, proposed legislation concerning veterans’ rights, entitlements, and benefits. The Council may conduct similar advocacy efforts with the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Veterans Board, and similar state agencies, boards, and commissions, concerning veterans’ programs under the management of those agencies.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee of the CSCVC are the five officers annually elected by the membership to serve one-year terms. The Executive Committee is responsible for organizing and presiding over all CSCVC meetings; documenting meetings, records and tangible property; managing the Council’s finances; and tracking and giving recommendations on legislation related to the interests and well-being of state veterans.
Executive Officers:
CHAIR
David West
Nevada County Veteran Service Officer, California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, Inc.
David West served honorably in the United States Marine Corps from 1996 to 2001, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. He was named Marine of the Year for the 3rd Force Service Support Group in 1999 and left the Marines as Platoon Sergeant of Communications Platoon, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division.
A year following his discharge David found himself homeless, often sleeping in his car or on different people’s couches. Despite being without a home, he worked as a laborer in the custom home construction industry, where he worked to the position of Project Manager prior to the 2008 housing crisis. David chose to use the benefits that he earned through his service and began pursuing his bachelor’s degree at Sierra College in Rocklin, CA. It was here that he first starting advocating for veterans through the school’s “Veterans Club” and was instrumental in the dedication of the school’s Veterans Resource Center, which has become a model for other schools across the country.
David soon began a career with the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), where he was President of the office’s VA Employee Association, where he achieved 100% organizational involvement. He also served as a VBA Centralized Trainer, who trained employees throughout the VBA on how to develop claims for compensation with the VA. He was promoted to position of Rating Veterans Services Representative (RVSR), where he made decisions on claims for compensation. Additionally, he graduated from the organization’s Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Leadership Program, before relocating to Kern County.
It was in Kern County that David worked in the oil & gas industry where he learned the importance of data collection and the benefits of process improvement. David has transferred these two basic principles to his current position as Nevada County’s Veterans Services Officer (NCVSO). Over the course of the past two years through the process of successful collaboration, Nevada County has housed 67 veterans and reduced its number of homeless veterans to seven. The county remains focused on eliminating veteran’s homelessness in its communities
SECRETARY
Jeff L. Breiten
Legislative Chair, Marine Corps League – Department of California, and 3rd Vice-President, Legislative Affairs for California Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America
Jeffrey L. Breiten enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December 1971 and ascended to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant before being honorably discharged in August 1980. Jeff later accepted a commission as a Naval Intelligence Officer, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Jeff is the past Commandant of Marine Corps League Detachment 1459 and past President of the Orange Empire Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.
Jeff currently serves as the Legislative Chair for the Marine Corps League-Department of California and the 3rd Vice-President, Legislative Affairs for the California Council of Chapters of the Military Officers Association of America.
Jeff is a Life Member of the Military Officers Association of America, a Life Member of the Marine Corps League and a member of the American Legion.
TREASURER
Jim Anderson
Department Finance Officer, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of California
Jim have served on the California State Commanders Veterans Council since 2010 and was the Chair of the council for three years. He represents the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Department of California. Within the MOPH, Jim has been the Department Adjutant, Finance Officer, Commander and National Region Commander. He is again, currently the Department Finance Officer. Jim is also a member of the American Legion, DAV, and VVA.
Jim’s military service was from 1966 to 1970 with the US Navy as a Boatswain Mate obtaining the rate of E-5. Tour of duty was in or around Vietnam for three and a half years of hisfour-year active
duty. Jim also did one year in country base station in Da Nang where he was dispatched to Cue Viet as a skipper of a patrol boat, patrolling the Cue Viet River. In August of 1968 he hit a mine, sinking his boat but not losing any members of his crew. The balance of his in-country tour was back in Da Nang patrolling the Da Nang harbor and river.
Jim currently resides with his wife of 52 years in Bakersfield. He has two daughters, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He retired in 2007 from having owned my own business within the automotive industry.
LEGISLATIVE OFFICER
Jeffrey M. Hawley, 1SG, CAARNG
Legislative Officer, California Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (CAL-EANGUS)
Jeff currently serves in the California Army National Guard (CAARNG) as the G-3 Mobilization Division Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) for the Joint Force Headquarters and as the First Sergeant (1SG) for Camp San Luis Obispo Garrison Training Center – Installation Command. In these dual roles, he oversees statewide mobilization planning, readiness tracking, and deployment preparation while ensuring the health, welfare, morale, discipline, and professional development of enlisted Soldiers under his leadership. As the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commander, Jeff provides critical guidance on all matters impacting readiness, training, and the effective utilization of personnel. Jeff is currently enrolled in the United States Sergeants Major Academy (Class 52). Also, Jeff has a Master of Arts Degree in Transportation and Logistics Management from the American Military University.
Jeff began his military career in 2006 and has served in a variety of leadership and staff positions throughout his 19 years of service. His diverse experience includes assignments as the CAARNG G-3 Mobilization Plans and Readiness NCOIC, Recruiting Command Operations NCOIC in Roseville, Readiness NCO for the 2632nd Transportation Company in Sacramento, Platoon Sergeant & Senior Truck Master for the 2632nd Transportation Company in Sacramento, CAARNG G-3 Training Management NOCIC in Sacramento, Training NCO for the 1114th Transportation Company in Bakersfield, Battle Staff NCO for the California National Guard’s (CANG) J-3 Joint Operations Center in Sacramento, and State Drivers Standardization Office NCOIC in Sacramento. In Jeff’s various leadership roles, he has also been instrumental in supporting the CANG’s State Partnership Program with the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he has served as an instructor for Noncommissioned Officer development and leadership exchange initiatives. Furthermore, throughout his career, Jeff has been a driving force in advancing mobilization readiness and training effectiveness across the state. He plays a key role in executing large-scale training operations and multiple Emergency State Active-Duty activations. His efforts directly enhance readiness, improves training & operations standards, and strengthens overall mission capability.
Outside the uniform, Jeff is actively involved in Veterans’ Outreach through Destiny Christian Church in Rocklin, where he leads efforts to connect, mentor, and support veterans that are in struggle or turmoil. Through faith-based initiatives, he helps build community, promote resilience, and provide meaningful support to veterans in need of hope. In addition, Jeff is an active member of CAL EANGUS, where he contributes to initiatives that strengthen advocacy, professional development, and unity among enlisted members across the state. His work with CAL EANGUS reflects his ongoing commitment to improving the lives and careers of California Guardsmen through engagement, mentorship, and legislative support. His leadership philosophy is grounded in service, mentorship, integrity, commitment to excellence, and readiness, ensuring that Soldiers and Airmen are not only prepared for mission success but also supported in their personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
Jeff also maintains affiliations with: United States Army Transportation Regimental Association – Order of Saint Christoher, Golden Chapter, Inaugural Chapter President; Veterans of Foreign Wars (Life Member); American Legion Ed Stuwart Post 803 (Life Member), Association of United States Army (Life Member), the Sergeants Major Association of California (Life Member), the National Eagle Scout Association, and Tau Kappa Epsilon Alumni, Delta Theta Chapter (California State University at Long Beach.
IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR
E. Fred Green, Jr., LCDR, USN (Ret)
Past President, California Council of Chapters, Military Officers Association of America
Fred Green entered the Navy September 1973 and in November 1975 he was commissioned in the Navy. where upon he retired from the Navy in 1996. Following his retirement from active service, he worked in the defense industry and he taught public school for a bit.
He is the Past President of the California Council of Chapters of Military Officers Association of America (CALMOAA).
He is actively engaged in advocating for current and former military members and their families.