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Mission 22

Olivia Fodge

Arizona State University

Identity, Service, and American Democracy PAF 100

Dr. Eisen-Cohen

May 5, 2021
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Dedicating time, money, and resources to help heal our nations veterans should be held at the

highest regard so no American warrior feels alone when they touch back on American soil after fighting

for the land of the free. Establishing a foundation that is reliable and consistent, so veterans feel

comfort in their time of need. Reaching out for help is not a common occurrence for an Active-Duty

member; having an ally to help seek programs on their behalf to help move past and conquer their

personal traumas that could be affecting their day-to-day routines is an honor and a privilege.

Developing programs that fit specific needs for veterans that have been diagnosed with Post Traumatic

Stress (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is the main focus for Mission 22.

Most veterans are self-sufficient and driven to be the best that they can be in their field of

expertise. Mission 22 gives veterans the safe space to be vulnerable and seek help from the programs

that Mission 22 endorses and actively participates with. Green Beret program helps with the veteran

and their family with the transition from combat wounds to retirement. Boulder Crest foundation

focuses on the emotional, physical, and economic wellbeing of soldiers, veterans, and first responders

and their families. Stop Soldier Suicide takes pride in working one on one with active-duty, veterans, and

their families to navigate through tough times and works specifically for their needs and finds the

perfect program that fits. K-9 for Warriors is the final identity group that works hand in hand with

Mission 22, and this organization helps military veterans that suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress,

Traumatic Brain Injury and Military Sexual Trauma after the attack on September 11, 2001. K-9 for

Warriors assists with finding the perfect canine for the disabled veteran, vet care, food, training, and

legal assistance for the remainder of life for the canine. Companionship is a vital tool in recovery for

traumatized veterans.

Mission 22 and the programs listed and described above help heal the veterans that have been

affected by deployments and reclaim their sense of self and belonging into the communities around
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them. Saving the lives of those that have fought and defended the United States is divided into three

programs: veteran treatment, memorial, and community social impact. In these programs they are all

focused on helping veterans steer through “normality” when they return home. Mission 22 gives

veterans and their families resources such as a crisis hotline, resiliency trainings and family outreach

services. All programs and resources go hand in hand with Mission 22 and share the identity of saving

our veterans.

Ambassadors for Mission 22 go through an application process to verify if they are a good fit for

the programs. In 2019 they have maintained their Seal of Transparency award and raised over two

million dollars for the Mission 22 foundation and their associated programs. Programs that are affiliated

with Mission 22 have the same goal; “heal our veterans when they need it most. Right now.” (Mission

22) There are two ways that Mission 22 encourages other groups and programs to bring awareness to

help heal our war veterans. First, is with CrossFit. CrossFit is a branded fitness company formed in 2000.

CrossFit hosts a “Mission 22 Challenge” where the participants wear military grade rucks. The ruck is

typically 40-60 pounds which would be added weight to the people accepting the challenge. Since

CrossFit is a membership program which are paid monthly, the Mission 22 Challenge is a workout that is

separate from the work out of the day (WOD). Members of the gym and guests can sign up for the

challenge and pay a one-time fee that will be donated to the Mission 22 organization. Secondly,

#22ADAY is an organization that helps bring awareness to veteran suicide and hosts conferences

towards their next steps of recovery. #22ADAY works alongside the Military Veteran Project which holds

the same outlook as Mission 22 by reintroducing our warriors to their “normal” when they are returning

home.

Social engagement has contributed to the success of Mission 22 and the sponsors that this

organization has on their side. Having the ambassadors do the footwork and bring awareness to what

Mission 22 is about and how they are relevant and helpful is the hard part, just getting the organization
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off the ground. However, politically, the organization has made itself known to President’s past and

present and have had their support, such as President Trump. Politics are a hit or miss when it involves

the Armed Forces strictly because not everyone is supportive of our troops and this has been a hardship

in some cases. Back in 2018 there was a walk of remembrance for veterans that have committed suicide

due to invisible war wounds and the news stations were worried it would turn into a riot with those that

do not support our troops.

Mission 22 is not far, few, and in between. All over the nation, Mission 22 and the work behind

the organization is known. Many organizations that are not sponsored by Mission 22 or that sponsor

Mission 22 have had success on bringing awareness to veteran suicide. Twenty-two veterans a day

commit suicide because the wounds that they are suffering from are not visible to the naked eye. PTSD

and Brain Injuries are diseases that kill every day, every 65 minutes to be exact. Mission 22 brings

people together to help save loved ones from themselves and allows the family to seek help from

resources that easily accessed through Mission 22 and through organizations that work with Mission 22,

for example, K-9 for Warriors. Mission 22 supplies the veterans that are struggling to get back on their

feet with programs and allies so they can help support their families after their time away from home.

Whether is be financial, emotional, or economical, there are resources that are accessible through

organizations that Mission 22 has provided. With these programs, veterans can stay off the streets after

returning home. On many occasions soldiers that return home suffer from PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury,

and MST which can affect their work life and many of them cannot hold a job, which could hurt them

financially. Even though we have an Act that was passed in 1970 that does not allow employers to

discriminate against individuals with disabilities, in some cases veterans that suffer from disabilities

leave their jobs just in pure hatred of themselves. Mission 22 does not give up on their veterans and

pushes them to be their best self, with rehabilitation centers and seminars that are full of information to

help pave the way to recovery.

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Memorials are a way that Americans can honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Mission 22 has been working to get donations for the funds to build the “War at Home” memorial in

Tulsa, Oklahoma. American Democracy plays a part in the memorial because the citizens of Oklahoma

had to vote for the location installation of this memorial. It needed a lot of space and money for the

installation and is on track to be installed in 2021. Government officials needed to approve the plans

that were drawn up and presented, and they all voted in favor of the memorial to those that are fighting

the battles at home. Having enough American citizens to push for something they believe in and that

they are proud of is such a privilege in our land, because we have the freedom to do so. The freedom

that came from fighting the world wars and establishing our own government. Mission 22 brings a

unique outside look from the treatment programs to memorials that honor those that fought for the

American freedom, so we can protest and fight for the things that we as Americans believe in, and as

Americans we should believe and fight for our war heroes.

Supporting our troops and welcoming them home with open arms is not a small factor when it

comes from Mission 22. Being a voice for our American veterans should not be taken lightly and should

be held with utmost respect because these veterans are trusting the process and hoping for the best

possible outcome with their treatment plan. Setting the standard to prioritizing our veterans’ lives

should be the standard for every organization that runs with Mission 22.
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References

Military Veteran Project. (2019). Military Veteran Project.

https://www.militaryveteranproject.org/about.html

Elderheart INC. (2013). Mission 22. Mission 22. https://mission22.com/home

Wilborn, T. L. & Autry, D. E. (Eds.) (2006). Wars and scars: A history of the disabled american veterans.

The IPR Group/American Printing.