ABOUT:

BATTALION 22 is a 501(c)19 nonprofit foundation that is rewriting the script on serving our great veteran community. We pride ourselves on being a ‘boots on the ground, take the hill’ type of organization that brings the fight to support veterans directly to them, with weekly gatherings in Orange County, California. Our mission is to reduce veteran suicide rates through a combination of various social bonding experiences.

All veterans are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Our weekly meetings are a combination of several social entities into one environment. They're kind of like a motorcycle club in that there's lots of bro hugs and camaraderie. They're kind of like a 12 step program in that we encourage clean living. They're kind of like a motivational seminar in that there's plenty of positive reinforcement. They're kind of like a therapy group in that there's an opportunity to share experiences. They're kind of like a church in that they're based upon Judeo-Christian, Buddhist and Stoic principles. And they're kind of like a military unit in that we keep each other on our toes with a goodly amount of horseplay and humor.

We encourage our veterans not to be victims, but a brother/sisterhood of survivors and thrivers!

BATTALION 22 is for all United States military veterans and their supportive partners. Whether you served a few years in the reserves or spent twenty years on the front lines, you're one of us. If you’ve ever struggled, as most of us have, if you’re currently in need of support or want to support fellow veterans, we want you here. There’s no judgement, just your fellow brothers and sisters in arms looking out for each other and having some laughs along the way. Come, join us!

Service animals are welcome, too. =)

Together we're going to do a lot of good for a lot of veterans!

CONTEXT:

We are the ANTI-therapy, therapy group!

Let’s get real. Many veterans don’t trust the government, the VA, the system, the man… and that includes therapists. Most veterans absolutely will not share with civilians what they’ve seen, heard, said or done while on deployment. Period.

What then are the options for these veterans to process their experiences? There are several but a few are prevalent. Drinking with their buddies, night after night, trying to ease the pain is a popular option. Taking out their anger on others is another. Yet another all to often result is holding it all inside until one day they lose all hope and take their lives.

BATTALION 22 aims to change that, to give veterans a new option to confront their unique struggles.

We hold weekly evening meetings where any and all veterans are welcome, accepted, and respected regardless of their time in service, experiences, lifestyle choices or immutable characteristics. At these meetings we have no mandatory reporters so everyone is free to say whatever they want/need to. There’s no judgment, just a sympathetic audience that wants to help and support everyone else in the group. Within the group we have veterans with resources and connections to address most if not all of the common challenges that veterans regularly face. We can’t solve every problem, but we can and will support every veteran to the best our abilities.

Additionally, we host events where veterans can mingle, network, and build friendships. Some of these events are team building, some are family oriented, some are just an excuse to get outside or do something different. This year we’re planning on running 5Ks and obstacle courses, going to Angles games, having BBQs and potlucks, attending veteran-centered events and parades, hiking, biking, self care, cars and coffee meetups, amusement parks… so much good stuff in the works!

It doesn’t stop there. We strongly encourage all of our veterans to get involved in some sort of community service regularly. As a group BATTALION 22 has helped our veterans move and set up their homes, we continually engage with our elder and infirm veterans, and we join other organizations to provide service in our communities. This very important aspect of our program is designed to give veterans a chance to forget about their own issues for a time and focus on proactively helping someone else with theirs.

BATTALION 22 is NOT a doom and gloom group. Yes, our mission is suicide prevention, and we expect a certain amount of sadness, fear and regrets in our interactions together. At the end of the day we are a forward focused, positively biased group of veterans that seek to live free, love hard, lead and thrive!