Moving Forward: Monthly Missions
Our partners at the Wounded Warrior Project recently published their Annual Warrior Survey. It’s the largest, most comprehensive survey of wounded post-9/11 veterans and it’s one we pay close attention to here at Team Red, White & Blue.
This year I was particularly struck by their key findings related to social connection in the veteran community….specifically that 4 in 5 veterans reported feeling isolated.
That stood out because news articles, research, and conversations with my friends and family have shown me that social isolation has been an increasing issue since the pandemic, especially among the veteran community.
Lockdowns and social distancing made it difficult for Eagles to meet up and break a sweat. We stayed connected through virtual events, but it just wasn't the same. We’re staring down a virtual path with the metaverse and AI technology. Those factors only strengthen my belief that face-to-face human interaction is more important than ever.
Enter Monthly Missions.
Monthly Missions give Eagle Nation one goal, one purpose, one mission to accomplish as a team. Every month, Team RWB will rally across America to tackle their mission at in-person events throughout the nation.
I’m fired up about Monthly Missions for several reasons:
They get Eagles working out together again. Research shows exercise is an effective tool for improving mental health. It’s even more effective when done with a friend, group, or team.
They rally Eagle Nation around a common goal. No matter where you are in the country or on your health & wellness journey, we’ll all be working towards a single goal. Accomplishing team goals helps build community and strengthen relationships.
They create a sense of purpose. Many veterans describe feeling lost once they separate from the military. Monthly Missions give us something meaningful to work towards that makes a positive impact on their health—as well as the Team RWB community.
Our first Monthly Mission is the Bataan Memorial Death Ruck on 19 MAR 23. The goal of this mission is to honor the heroic service members who defended the Philippine Islands during World War II. They were forced to march 65 miles through the jungles of the Philippines and many of them did not survive. We are honoring their sacrifice by rucking 4.2, 14.2, or 26.2 miles for time.
Are you ready to take it on?
