U.S. Army veteran carries on her father’s legacy of service through her work at MVAA

U.S. Army veteran and MVAA strategic outreach manager Chelsea Rider and Vietnam War-era veteran Gilbert Rider.

LANSING, Mich. - In the agency's most recent 'Why We Serve' story, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) tells the story of Chelsea Rider, U.S. Army veteran and MVAA strategic outreach manager. The 'Why We Serve' series shares the stories of agency employees, the work they do and what inspires them to serve Michigan's veterans.

After graduating from college, Rider's path led her to join the U.S. Army where she was stationed at Scholfield Barracks, Hawaii. Her father and grandfathers served in the military, so she desired to carry on their family tradition.

"I'm proud that I was able to serve," said Rider. "I had two daughters while I was out there and I left the military after a couple of years, but I call them my little Hawaiian souvenirs."

Rider also recalled her experience of being a woman in the Army. Though she faced many obstacles and unforeseen challenges, the bond she had with her drill sergeant and other women left a lasting impact on her life.

"My drill sergeant was phenomenal and one of those people who I always looked to every time I was struggling," said Rider. "It's important to surround yourself with other women in the military for that support and to remember that we're just as capable as our male counterparts."

Though she had left Hawaii, her path of service didn't end there - Rider knew that she wanted to support veterans after hearing her father's story. Her father, Gilbert Rider, served during the Vietnam War-era and shared with her the mistreatment and lack of support he experienced during that time.

"My dad said he would've been a career Marine had he been treated just a little better when he got back from Vietnam," Rider said. "And I thought that my dad and no veteran should ever feel like that and it spurred my interest in serving veterans. Though my father has now passed, I get to help veterans every day in his name."

Rider worked at a nonprofit organization before finding herself at the MVAA as a community analyst. Within two years, her hard work and dedication led her to be promoted to strategic outreach manager. Now, Rider and her team travel across the state of Michigan to build partnerships, connect with veterans and share information about benefits and resources available to them and their families. The Strategic Outreach team attended more than 300 events in 2025 and oversee the Veteran-Friendly Schools (VFS) and Veteran-Friendly Employer (VFE) programs.

"This is a rewarding job and every day you go into work you know you're serving something above yourself," said Rider. "We're showing up consistently on the good days and bad days to make sure Michigan is a place where veterans can thrive."

For more information about benefits available to veterans and their families in the state of Michigan, please visit Michigan.gov/VeteranBenefits or call 1-800-MICH-VET (1-800-642-4838).

Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency - The MVAA is the central coordinating agency, providing support, care, advocacy and service to veterans and their families. As a state agency, the MVAA works to identify and break down barriers veterans face in employment, education, health care and quality of life, to make Michigan a great place for veterans and their families to call home. More information about the MVAA is available at Michigan.gov/MVAA or by reading our FY25 Annual Report.

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