A Calling, Camaraderie and the Community Found with Boot Campaign
Shane Edwards wrote to us saying, “For the majority of my adult life, I sacrificed my health, wellness and happiness for the greater good of others; this was a conscious choice and one that I would not change if given the chance. My line of work in the military was truly a calling.”
After more than two decades in the military and completion of our Health & Wellness Program, we sat down with Shane to get some insight about his experience. Here’s what he had to say.
Why did you join the military?
It was spontaneous; I was quite adrift in regards to purpose and direction and lacked the dedication and maturation to stick to any one task for any prolonged period of time. So, I did what millions of wayward teens do: I went to the recruiter at age 17, and applied for the toughest programs that were available.
Tell me about your military experience and what was most meaningful for you.
Starting one of the toughest training pipelines in the US military with 35 able candidates and being 1 of 4 that graduated gave a sense of accomplishment that had evaded me in my life until that point. I served in Naval Special Operations (EOD) for 26 years, completed multiple combat deployments and several other regular deployments. I have visited more countries in the world than I have states in America by a factor of two at least. I have been extremely fortunate to have been exposed to various cultures during my time in the service, but the sense of family and team amongst those I served alongside, was the most meaningful.
What made you reach out to Boot Campaign?
A fellow Veteran told me about Boot Campaign and once I found out about the breadth and scope of the specialized Health & Wellness Program I realized that Veteran was looking out for me and nudging me toward an amazing destination.
Tell us about your experience with Boot Campaign?
My experience with Boot Campaign was that their team of professionals truly believe in their work. I was treated with dignity and respect every step of the way…not placated, but genuinely treated as if the concern for my wellbeing was always in the forefront. In my customized treatment plan, I was given options. I was never made to feel that I had to go along with the recommendations that were made. I always felt comfortable asking questions and I truly trusted the advice that I was given. I was truly heard.
Every portion of the plan was explained to me and presented in a way that I could readily understand. I also never got the feeling of being just another number or a data point on a spreadsheet.
Most importantly, I felt part of a family and was not forgotten.
What does YOU MATTER mean to you?
First off….Boot Campaign is not just another non-profit “specializing/capitalizing” in working in the veteran wellness industry. Every Veteran and every request is carefully considered, and Boot Campaign always keeps what is best for the Veteran and their wellness goals at the forefront.
YOU MATTER exemplifies just that.
When I hear, see, read YOU MATTER or when interacting on any level with Boot Campaign, I know that “I” am the focal point of that decision, that training, that treatment, that event, that anything.
What would you tell other veterans who are having a difficult time?
Ask yourself 2 questions:
1- Is how you are conducting business NOW working for you?
2- Are you ready to change and work on YOU?
If those answers are NO/YES respectively, then you are probably ready to take the next steps.
It is OK to be lost.
It is OK to be scared.
It is OK to be ill-equipped to deal with adversity.
It is OK to ask for help.
It is OK to be vulnerable.
It is OK to let someone help you.
It is NOT OK to squander resources and efforts because you hold on to the old habits that led you to where you are now.
Change is hard…nothing truly meaningful comes out of the easy path…everything takes work to produce worthwhile outcomes.
