The Department was created in 1981 during the term of Governor George Nigh as a successor to the Soldiers Relief Commission.
The composition of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission shall comprise nine (9) members, all of whom must bear an honorable discharge status.
The selection process for members shall adhere to the following protocol: The state executive board or committees of the veterans' organizations specified in this section are each tasked with submitting to the Governor a roster of five individuals deemed qualified to assume roles as members of the Oklahoma Veterans Commission.
These appointments are required to be broadly representative of the diverse spectrum of veterans in the state, taking into account factors such as age, gender, and race or ethnicity.
Each of the three funding sources makes up roughly one-third of the total budget of the Department.
The Muskogee Claims Office handles lifetime hunting & fishing permits, state benefits requests, and the Financial Assistance Program.
The Veterans Affairs Department, with an annual budget of over $130 million, is one of the largest employers of the State.