My Mom calls me Jacob, but you can call me Jake- and this story begins and ends with connection. 

I’ve always felt connected to a legacy of service that runs deep in my family, tracing back to the Spanish-American War. Enlisting in the Marines in 1999 was not just a choice but a calling, inspired by generations before me who served their country with honor.

A Personal Witness to War's Aftermath

My journey into understanding and addressing the silent battles many veterans face began with my grandfather, a World War II veteran. His struggle with PTSD and subsequent battle with alcoholism left a lasting imprint on our family. Witnessing his pain and its ripple effects, I knew the challenges of returning home from war were profound and often misunderstood.

The 9/11 Catalyst

Stationed in London during the 9/11 attacks, I felt a surge of emotions - anger, confusion, and a foreboding sense of what was to come. This event marked the beginning of an era defined by conflict, leading me and countless others into military campaigns across the globe. My experiences in Iraq, seeing the human cost of war firsthand, underscored a truth we rarely acknowledged: the battle doesn't end when the war does.

A Vision for Healing and Community

Upon returning, the absence of a roadmap for reintegration was stark. It became clear that the journey back to civilian life was as challenging as any mission abroad. This realization fueled my desire to create the Warrior Wellness Initiative—a sanctuary for veterans and their families to:

• Address the burdens of accountability and loss with understanding and support.

• Recognize that the echoes of war, in sights, sounds, and smells, can persist but can be navigated together.

• Affirm that it’s perfectly okay to not be okay, and there’s always a path to improvement.

• Foster a community dedicated to the natural healing of memories and emotions from combat.

• Offer a safe space for honest discussions about the challenges of reintegration.

• Move beyond superficial acknowledgments to genuine compassion and support in the healing journey.

Our Mission: Compassion in Action

At the Warrior Wellness Initiative, we go beyond “thank you for your service” to bring connection, compassion, understanding, and actionable support to the forefront of veteran recovery. Our commitment is to transform the healing process, making it a journey of collective empathy and personal growth for veterans reclaiming their lives after service.