Green Beret Foundation Director of Programs and Services Anna Richardson joins us for an update on their programs. The mission of the Green Beret Foundation is to provide Special Forces soldiers and their families with emergency, immediate and ongoing support. Since inception, the GBF has provided support for over 14,000 families.
For Anna, her work with the Green Beret Foundation is “personal”. She served as a mental health and drug and alcohol counselor in the Army and is a Green Beret spouse.
Green Berets sustain one of the highest casualty rates in the Special Forces. Anna emphasizes something unique about their mission in that they could be providing education or building communities on one day and fighting the next.
The GBF takes extra precautions to assure that recipients of their support did indeed serve in the Army Special Forces. Many of their emergency and casualty support requests come directly from US Special Operations Command. Their programs are also available for pre 9/11 Veterans. Anna says that many of the support requests they are currently receiving come from post 9/11 Veterans who need help navigating their benefits. Request for support links may be found at their website.
We also discuss some of their health and wellness support programs including funding for special treatments that are not covered by soldier’s insurance.
Collaboration is one of the core values of the GBF. For example, their emergency support packs include backpacks provided by GORUCK, a company founded by a former Green Beret. Their website also lists numerous “gifts that give back” links.
Anna is also active with the “Steel Mags” support group. The chapters consist of Green Beret mothers, spouses and daughters. They consider themselves the “keepers of the brave.”
TAKEAWAY: “You do not have to know exactly what you need. That’s our job. I know the questions you should be asking even if you don’t.”
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