How one veteran uses gaming to change lives

While deployed in Afghanistan, DAV life member Melissa Allen used her free time to set up a shared network for her unit’s temporary living quarters so the soldiers could play on their Xboxes together.

In her small unit, connection was mission-critical. Allen handled everything electronic—radios, satellites and any other systems that kept soldiers linked and safe.

“Military service was definitely a highlight of my life,” she said.

Little did she know that her skills and love for gaming would become a lifeline for her and others after military service.

Allen enlisted in 2007. After raising her three kids, running a daycare and owning a costume business, she could finally pursue her lifelong dream of joining the Army.

“I left for basic training at 32 years old,” Allen said. “The wait was definitely worth it.”

To Allen, serving in the military felt like destiny.

“Every generation in my family has served,” she said. “After all of those generations, it becomes part of you. It was in my blood.”

She became a signal systems repair specialist in the Nebraska Army National Guard and, exactly one year after graduating from Advanced Individual Training, deployed to Afghanistan with a unit assembled from across the state. The deployment gave her a deep sense of purpose, teamwork and belonging—she knew her mission and her role—and she continued to serve until 2015, when she was medically discharged.

“Most people cheer when they get that final certificate,” she said. “I didn’t. I sat down and cried.”

In the months following her separation from service, Allen felt herself spiraling toward rock bottom, feeling disconnected from her purpose.

Things began to turn around with a friendly interaction at her local Department of Veterans Affairs clinic. Two volunteers in red vests, who happened to be members of DAV Chapter 7 in Lincoln, Nebraska, were greeting people as they came through the front door.

“They invited me to a chapter meeting,” Allen said. “They told me there was food on Friday nights, and that was all it took.”

Those Friday night chapter meetings became more than meals to Allen—they became a lifeline. She credits DAV with helping her navigate benefits and restoring a sense of belonging when she needed it most.

“I am one of those people who say that DAV saved my life,” Allen said. “I’ve heard it from people, but it’s true for me too. So many veterans feel alone and don’t even know what resources are available. DAV gave me purpose again.”

Allen became a life member in 2022 and has been moving “100 miles per hour” since, building bridges between veterans and the resources they deserve. She splits her time volunteering at the VA as a benefits advocate, leading the Benefits Protection Team for the DAV Department of Nebraska and serving as adjutant of her chapter.

One thing she has learned from her work is that connection looks different for younger service members. Like Allen, many post-9/11 veterans served in remote, technology-driven environments and socialize accordingly.

“Gaming is social hour for this new generation of veterans. This is how we connect,” she said.

A gamer herself, Allen has played video games since childhood. Her first game, Dungeon Master, was on her dad’s computer. These days, she uses gaming differently.

Allen has found that getting the word out about DAV can be a challenge, but platforms like DAV’s Discord and Twitch channels allow her to meet a new group of veterans where they already are.

“DAV’s gaming program is one way to ensure no veteran is left behind in the digital age,” said DAV National Membership Director Lamarr Couser. “It’s truly impressive to see it in action. Melissa is a great example of how creative and driven our members can be when it comes to helping others. She is out there creating real-life success stories.”

While streaming games like Guild Wars, Allen talks with viewers about veterans legislation and issues and even recruits new DAV members.

“It’s a welcoming environment for people to just share and be themselves without leaving home,” Allen said.

For Allen, DAV gaming platforms are simply new tools for an age-old purpose—keeping the camaraderie alive.

“It’s a great way to get involved,” she said. “It’s not hard. If you can use Facebook on your phone, you can use Discord.”

She welcomes all veterans and service members to join the community, even those who aren’t gamers.

“If nothing else, just join and watch,” she said.

Want to join DAV’s gaming mission? Learn what it takes at dav.org/gaming.