Adam (Cohort 035) has over 12 years of service in the U.S. Army. As a Special Forces Green Beret, Adam hunted Al Qaeda operatives, developed intelligence networks, conducted diplomatic relations, and briefed Ambassadors and Generals on Geopolitical environments. In 2006, Adam earned his B.A. in Security and Intelligence from The Ohio State University. He spent the next eight years deploying to Asia, including Operation Enduring Freedom - The Philippines and Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan. Adam's passion comes from a deep-rooted desire to serve others and save lives.

80,000 Warriors were lost to suicide in the last decade. To put this in perspective, during 18 years of combat in Vietnam, 58,209 Warriors lost their lives.

WARRIORS OF IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN: BY THE NUMBERS

There are 2.6 million Warriors who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. A 2014 study of 2,150 Warriors revealed some startling statistics regarding Post Traumatic Stress that bring into question earlier estimates regarding the number of Warriors affected by their experiences in the combat zone. It is possible that as many as  75% of the respondents of this study suffer from Post Traumatic Stress.

Even if not all respondents do meet the requirements for diagnosis, it is obvious that they are encountering some mental or emotional difficulties after serving in the combat zone and could benefit from opportunities to heal. Unfortunately, most of those who have sought care have not found healing. A recent study by the American Legion found that only 16% of Warriors who were treated at the VA for Post Traumatic Stress with talk-therapy and medication management reported that those methods were clearly beneficial for their health.

‣ Only 16% of Warriors report improvement after undergoing the medication management and talk therapy treatment at the VA.

‣ The VA spends roughly $8,300 per Warrior with PTS, annually.