The WHY

A few years ago, I had been scrolling through Instagram, which is honestly something I never do, and I see a post on a page that I followed that said simply " This is the end of my story. Sorry I couldn't do better."   

As chills ran down my spine, I wondered if I was too late. Immediately, I sent a message to the guy just saying "It sounds like you're in a bad spot...call me if you want to talk." And no joke, less than 5 minutes later, I'm getting a call from Georgia...a man crying on the other end of the phone. Andy was combat vet who had done more than his fair share in our recent wars. The problem for him was less about what he'd done and seen, and more about how once he was washed up, the army was done with this Ranger. Five deployments, documentaries done on battles he'd fought in...and now coming home and fitting in with a bunch of khaki wearing sally's who only saw Andy for what he was now. Lost in a world of hello's and goodbyes. His jobs meant nothing to him. He wasn't able to find joy or purpose in anything outside of the military and his brothers. 

I didn't know what to say to Andy other than "this side of the story needs to be told" and I knew that I needed to fly him up here, let him tell the story on camera, and then spread the word. Not war stories so much as documenting the struggle to transition from what feels like the pinnacle of your life, to coaching middle school football, or something equally mundane and kind of feels pointless. Anyway, we hashed out a plan for me to fly him up the next day. He was stoked. Andy called the next day and said he couldn't make it. He'd fly out on Wednesday of that week. We shuffled flights around and then Wednesday came and went and Andy never got on that flight. He just couldn't take that step to let his guard down long enough to talk to guys who have been through similar valleys. Andy ended up taking his own life a few months later. 

Where do we go from Andy? 

I knew at that moment that I needed to do more. But my family couldn't pay for another emergency flight for a brother in need. I needed to start something that helps guys transition without being a government program that sucks.  So this isn't a program at all. It's a bro-gram! No certified therapists, no government documentation trying to say you are crazy. Just come out and work a honest days work at our beautiful facility, with a bunch of guys who are vets. Shoot guns on the range, teaching people firearm safety and tactics, chop wood, organize stuff, take a long ruck, fish, mow, or whatever needs to be done. We can get you here and put you up for free. Heck if you're a good fit, we will even pay you a weekly salary to help out around here! Dirty hands, clean money! 

Come be part of a group of dudes who just want to help other dudes work through feeling screwed over by the military in one way or another.  Or if you know someone who battles these demons, please help support our cause... donating and sharing this as often as you can.