How Did I Get Here? My Story

I didn’t set out to become an advocate. Like many veterans, I entered the military full of purpose, drive, and the belief that I was part of something bigger than myself. I served as a United States Marine Corps Aircraft Rescue Firefighter, trained to respond in the most dangerous moments—to save lives under fire, to lead in chaos, and to protect others at all costs.

But after my service ended—not by choice, but by a medical discharge—I found myself in unfamiliar territory. My uniform was folded in a drawer, my orders no longer came from superiors, and the structure I had known for years vanished almost overnight. I was expected to quietly transition into civilian life, even as I struggled to find where I belonged. Like too many others, I encountered a system that thanked me for my service but failed to offer a real path forward.

I applied for benefits. I fought for recognition of injuries that were invisible to most but painfully real to me. I experienced firsthand the disconnection between what we’re promised as service members and what’s delivered when we can no longer serve. And I realized something important: I wasn’t alone.

That realization sparked a new mission.

I founded Covenant of Courage not just to help myself—but to support others who were lost in the system, overlooked by bureaucracy, or told they no longer had value. I launched the #ReasonableRanks campaign because I believe service doesn’t end with a discharge—it evolves. I believe that reassignment, not rejection, should be our nation’s default response to injured and disabled service members. We have more to offer. Our training, discipline, leadership, and passion don’t disappear when we leave active duty.

And yet, the stories of discharged veterans go unheard. The rules haven’t changed. The lives lost to despair, suicide, and silence continue to rise. That’s why I write these messages —not just as a how-to manual, but as a call to action.

I may not wear the uniform anymore, but I still serve. Today, I serve with a different kind of fire: the fire of purpose, policy, and persistent petitioning. This is my story—but it’s also the beginning of yours.

Let’s get to work.