Douglas Welch is a Gold Legacy Life Member of the VFW with more than 40 years of service in military medicine, including as a Navy Medical Service Corps Officer, combat medic, and advisor at NATO and Joint Commands. He has led VFW Posts and Departments with distinction and has a lifelong commitment to veterans' care, readiness, and advocacy.
Doug and his wife Nini have been married 38 years and have five children. They reside in Idaho, where he continues to serve as a veterans volunteer and civic leader.
Key Priorities
- Make suicide awareness and prevention a national, state, and local priority
- Advise the Commander on medical and health-related issues affecting veterans
- Engage legislators to ensure veterans remain a visible, informed, and active voting bloc
- Offer constructive feedback and accountability to the VA on both challenges and successes
- Uphold the VFW’s mission to serve veterans, military members, and their families
VFW Involvement
- Post 10043 Commander – 6 years (2017–2019, 2021–2024)
- 6× All-State Commander, 3× All-American Commander
- Department of Idaho Commander (2021–2022)
- District #2 Surgeon, Post Surgeon, Department Chief of Staff
- National Deputy Chief of Staff (2023–2024)
- VFW Dept. of Idaho, District #2 Senior Vice Commander 2025–2026
Military & Professional Background
- Navy & Fleet Marine Force Corpsman – 8 years
- Army Combat Medic – 5 years (Idaho National Guard)
- Medical Service Corps Officer – 28 years
- Key posts: II MEF (Iraq), NORAD/USNORTHCOM, NATO JFC (Afghanistan)
- Former Director, Joint Regional Medical Plans & Operations Division (SGJ) at NORAD/USNORTHCOM
Education
- Bachelor Degrees in Management, Business Administration, and Psychology from Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho
- Master of Business Administration from Hood College, Frederick, Maryland
- Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
✅ Endorsed by the Department of Idaho VFW
Contact Douglas
Email: captwelch@gmail.com
LinkedIn: Douglas Welch, Captain, Medical Service Corps (Ret.)
