Army Veteran’s Perspective on Purpose After the Military

An Army Veteran's Perspective on Finding Purpose After the Military

After a 22-year career in the Army, with frequent deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and North Africa, Duane France found it challenging to stay active in civilian life. Even with a passion for long-distance running, France, like many veterans, focused on his post-military career without prioritizing his health and fitness. In the spring of 2021, he stepped on the scale, after years of avoiding it. 

“I decided to see where I was, and I was shocked that I was tipping the scales at 294. I used to jump out of airplanes and run half marathons, and now I was closer to 300 pounds than I had ever been in my life,” said France. “That’s when I decided that I needed to make some lifestyle changes, because there are not a lot of 300-pound 80-year-olds. If I wanted to be around for my family, and be able to do the work that I love, I needed to make some changes.”

In the fall of 2021, France began running again and found that it was harder psychologically than physically. He felt like running was something he “used to do” and battled negative thoughts during runs, but he stuck with it. Shortly after, he joined Team Red, White & Blue (Team RWB), frequently checking the Team RWB App to find real-life running events in Colorado Springs.

In his local Team RWB App group, France heard about the Taji 100 challenge. He wasn’t sure if he could manage to run 100 miles in 28 days, but planned out his month, and signed up two days before it started. With support from Team RWB’s health and wellness community, he tested his limits and crushed the challenge. 

“The combination of a like-minded veteran community and a like-minded running community was encouraging. It was fun in a way that only veterans and runners would understand, in a ‘this sucks so good’ kind of way. And Taji 100 was a way for me to commit to returning to something I loved. For me, it was a celebration of how far I’ve come. This time last year, I thought my running days were over. Now, I’m reconnected to what I enjoyed so much before, and I had a group to share it with - my fellow Eagles - who could understand the roller coaster ride,” said France.

Veterans are America’s most resilient citizens — and it’s time for more veterans to prioritize their well-being first. Team RWB exists to guide veterans like France through that journey with real-life and virtual opportunities focused on building a healthier lifestyle. A strong focus on mental and physical health is critical to ensuring veterans’ best days are ahead of them. 

“Team RWB provides a community of people who are not just runners, but also fellow service members and veterans, which has an entirely different unique culture. The combination of the two is encouraging. If I’m out pounding the pavement at 4:30, I may be doing it on my own, but I also know that somewhere out there, a bunch of my fellow Eagles are doing the same thing.”

France continues to set goals and tackle them. This year, he plans to run one race every month leading up to the Rim to Rim Half Marathon at the Royal Gorge Park in October. He also plans to run his first marathon at the Coastal Delaware Running Festival in 2023. His long-term goal is to do the Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World in 2024. 

As a clinical mental health counselor, wellness advocate, and suicide prevention specialist, France helps service members, veterans, and their families heal from psychological and emotional wounds that may have developed as a result of their military service.

In France’s perspective, reducing anxiety, depression, and alleviating pain are not enough. Veterans need to find something that brings them joy. Whether that includes a focus on fitness with Team RWB or volunteering with another veteran service organization, France feels that meaning and purpose are key - and meaning and purpose come from a life fully lived.

More than 200,000 members are already forging the nation’s leading health and wellness community for veterans. Will you join the team? Download the Team RWB app today.