MARINE FORCES RESERVE, New Orleans -- A new program available to veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) is designed to relieve some of the stress endured during deployment and reintegrate warriors back into life at home.
Outward Bound is a world-wide program that offers outdoor wilderness courses. In April, it announced a new program that will use grants from the Military Family Outdoors Initiative to fully sponsor up to 1,500 OIF and OEF veterans to participate in classes designed specifically for returning veterans.
“Everything is paid for in these courses,” said Meg Ryan, program manager for Outward Bounds’ veterans program. “Even all the equipment is provided for them.”
Activities including backpacking, canoeing, and even dog sledding are available to students, and Outward Bound helps applicants choose which course is right for them. Most classes last about two weeks, but the veterans program features classes that last five days so that even active duty service members who have participated in OIF and OEF can attend.
The courses emphasize teamwork and development as part of the healing process.
“One of the benefits is a personal growth experience,” said Ryan. “They share that experience with other veterans on the course, and it brings them together. Everyone shares that, and when they come back, they have each other to look to.”
Although some may be hesitant to sleep out under the stars, service members who have participated in a course say there is nothing to worry about.
“It’s not like having to listen to your staff non-commissioned officers yell at you,” said Matt Payton, a former Navy corpsman who deployed to Iraq in 2005. “It’s really mellow, and gives you time to separate yourself from stress at home. I’d definitely recommend it to people coming back from deployment. It doesn’t matter whether you went to Iraq or Afghanistan, when you come home, stress levels are so high. It helped hone in on team skills and was relaxing.”
Many people have already taken the course in groups, said Ryan. Units can create their own course with Outward Bound, and the program can also make a contract with a facility that has activities for veterans who are seriously injured if they are not able to participate in outdoor activities.
To receive enrollment material or ask about the Outward Bound Veterans Program, call 1-888-837-5211 ext. 2374.