VETERAN AMBASSADORS

Retired U.S. Army SFC Cassandra Cantin

Texas native Cassandra “Cassie” Cantin has a big heart and personality to match. The only girl of four children growing up, Cassie learned to hold her own from a young age. She served 24 years in the Army as a medic and then as an LPN, including a combat tour in Iraq. As an adult, Cassie is once again surrounded by boys – she and her husband Carl are parents to one son, C.J., and the trio now lives in Texas. These days, she spends time traveling around the world, cooking for her friends and family, participating in 5K charity events, and sponsors a college freshman in her community by providing meals and mentorship. Cassie admits, though, that her greatest inspiration and happiness are found right at home with her two favorite guys.

Retired U.S. Army SPC Ricky Raley

Boot Campaign Veteran Ambassador Ricky Raley, former infantryman in the Indiana Army National Guard, served in the Guard’s Alpha Company, Task Force 1-151 – better known as the Avengers – as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During one combat tour, the Avengers conducted more than 200 combat missions and covered more than 250,000 miles in convoy escorts. On one mission, Ricky’s truck was leading the way when the mine roller tripped an IED (improvised explosive device). Ricky, along with two others in the truck at the time of the explosion, sustained mild traumatic brain injuries and were awarded Purple Hearts. In 2009, six months and 17 days after returning from Iraq, Ricky was involved in a near-fatal truck accident leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Approximately 10 years after the accident, Ricky applied for Boot Campaign’s health and wellness program and kick-started his journey to improved mental and physical capability.

In addition to his involvement with Boot Campaign, Ricky has become an avid handcyclist and advocate for adaptive sports, serving as a spokesperson for Top End® Wheelchair (a division of Invacare® Corp). He works with the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) to advocate on quality of care issues that affect the veterans in VA facilities across the nation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky-Indiana Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America and is KIPVA’s Sports Director.

Retired U.S. Army MSG Tim Travis

Both of Tim’s grandfathers served in the military as did his father. Growing up around the military, it was only natural for Tim to enlist during his senior year of high school. Tim went through basic training in 1983 and retired from the Texas National Guard in 2015 after 6 deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan. When not deployed, Tim serves as a Police Officer in Texas. Tim is a graduate of Boot Campaign’s program and believes strongly in the mission and knows firsthand of the success. Tim lives in Central Texas with his wife and spends his free time supporting Boot Campaign and working on the ranch they will retire to.

Retired U.S. Air Force MSgt Jason Howland

Jason joined the United States Air Force as a Civil Engineer and deployed in support of Operations’ Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, and Freedom’s Sentinel. After twenty years of military service, he retired to Dallas, Texas with his wife and beloved Bulldog.

Jason graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Masters Degree in Human Relations and plans to  reenroll in school to obtain his PhD in Organizational Leadership.

In addition to his primary role as a Boot Campaign Veteran Ambassador, he holds the concept of Boot Campaign’s Health and Wellness Program in the highest regard and works diligently to ensure other veterans have access to the resources they need for establishing and fulfilling purpose after service.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Larry Hinkle

After playing two years of junior college baseball, Larry knew that he wanted to serve his country in the United States Marine Corps. He enlisted and received orders to Camp Pendleton, CA where he was attached to 3rd AABN (3rd Amphibian Assault Battalion.) While in the Marine Corps, Larry deployed three times. On his first deployment, he was assigned to a security detail for the U.S.S. Cole hours after it was bombed in the Gulf of Aiden, near Yemen. On his second deployment he was part of the Amphibious Ready Group that provided an immediate presence for “Operation Anaconda”. His final deployment — the one that would impact the rest of his life — was to Iraq in 2003, for the initial invasion.

Since 2015, Larry has teamed up with various nonprofits and walked over 5,200 miles throughout this country, getting face to face with our veterans and first responders in VA hospitals/ outpatient clinics, Veteran State Nursing Homes, fire/ police/ sheriff departments and Salvation Army locations. This also afforded him the ability to feed over 2,600 heroes for #feedemfriday and pass out over 600 gift cards along his travels. In the summer of 2018 Hinkle teamed up with two vets from the US and three vets from the UK on the Walk Of America, which focused on veteran mental health. Larry continues to serve his brothers and sisters as an ambassador of Boot Campaign.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Kelsey Smith

“Having experienced first hand serving our great Nation and transitioning from service and the difficulties that are involved during those times, I fully embraced Boot Campaign’s mission the first time I heard it. Being able to contribute to the mission with this great team and help my fellow brothers and sisters in arms is an incredibly rewarding career.”

Just eight months after enlisting in the Marine Corps, Kelsey was deployed to Iraq as an Infantry Rifleman. On his second deployment to Ramadi, Iraq in 2005, Kelsey was awarded the Purple Heart. Twice more Kelsey served overseas in Iraq, totaling 28 months in country. Following his overseas service, Kelsey was as a combat instructor for newly commissioned officers and warrant officers at The Basic School in Quantico, Virginia. Over the course of his career, Kelsey was awarded two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal and the Combat Action ribbon. He retired from active duty in 2013. He received a degree in Human Resources and Organizational Behavior from the University of North Texas.

Retired U.S. Air Force Capt Joni Marquez

Retired U.S. Air Force Captain Joni Marquez is an award-winning U.S. Air Force Captain who medically retired after serving 14 years of combined military service as an enlisted member in the Air Mobility Command Grand Forks Air Force Base (AFB), ND, and as an officer in the Special Operations Command at Cannon AFB, NM, and Hurlburt Field, FL.

After enlisting in the Air Force in 1998 as a Security Forces member, Marquez joined its anti-terrorism team called the Phoenix Ravens, and provided security for USAF aircraft and personnel while deployed to austere locations all over the world.

After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on American soil, Marquez decided she wanted to have a greater reach on the global war on terror, and left the military to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social welfare at UC Berkeley.

In 2008, she was commissioned into the USAF and became a Fire Control Officer on the AC-130H gunship where she provided Close Air Support for ground forces in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

During her first of two deployments, she was on a mission that would forever change her life—the downing of Extortion 17 (EN 17), a mission where the U.S. military lost 31 American heroes. The downing of EN 17 was the single most catastrophic loss of American lives in one night during the war, and the trauma from that night led to the slow decline of the talented Captain’s military flying career.

Almost four years later, Marquez was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and decided that once she got out of the military she would use her experiences to help educate and create awareness surrounding the American warfighter.

Marquez left the military as a decorated veteran and as an expert in military intelligence, security, foreign affairs, unconventional warfare, anti-terrorism and counterterrorism. She continues her fight for freedom stateside, and advocates for the warriors that have both the seen and the unseen wounds from war, including contributions to Boot Campaign as a Veteran Ambassador.

In addition to a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, the Bradley, Calif., native also earned a master’s in business from Trident University International, and is currently enrolled at the University of Southern California in pursuit of a master’s degree in military social work.

U.S. Air Force SSgt Danielle ‘Dani’ Johnson

Danielle Johnson is a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Danielle joined in 2007 and served on active duty status. Upon completion of her time she joined the reserves. Her goal was to protect and heal her fellow military service members. Danielle serves on an Air Crew Life Support Unit, and her job is basically to maintain and train aircrew members on safety and survival equipment and skills. She plans to stay in the military until she is told she is too old to serve.

As far as civilian life, she teaches fourth grade English, Language Arts and Social Studies. She has a passion for children and helping grow their knowledge of the world around them. She strives to incorporate patriotism into her classroom on a daily basis, whether through mentor texts, history lessons, class discussions, or simply modeling patriotic behavior like taking pride in standing for and singing the National Anthem.

Danielle is the mom to her beautiful daughter Maddie. Danielle serves as a Veteran Ambassador for Boot Campaign and helps to encourage the Patriot League program in all she does. Danielle gives back not only to the children she teaches on a daily basis, but to her fellow veterans once a month at a minimum. Danielle proves nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it.

Retired U.S. Army/U.S. Navy SSG Aaron Hale

Retired SSG Aaron Hale is a 14-year veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Army and currently lives in Florida with his love McKayla. Aaron deployed once to Iraq, and it was on his second mission to Afghanistan in December 2011 where his career as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Team Leader ended. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED), something that has claimed many lives during the war, exploded in front of Aaron, severely wounding him and taking his eyesight completely.

Aaron never accepted defeat and is always looking for new challenges. While he awaited military retirement, he began teaching at the EOD School, continued his education in finance, started running marathons, kayaking and climbing mountains.

In August 2015, Aaron came down with a sudden case of bacterial meningitis which took his hearing entirely and put vertigo in its place. That still hasn’t stopped him. Aaron received two cochlear implants, which allow some hearing. He continues to travel the country advocating for veterans and started a fudge business called Extra Ordinary Delights (EOD). Aaron is looking forward to many more years of pushing the boundaries on what people think is possible and McKayla is excited to be right there to cheer him on.

U.S. Army SFC Michael Hardgrove, Jr.

Sergeant First Class Michael D. Hardgrove, Jr. is a U.S. Army Pathfinder Instructor at the Army National Guard’s Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, GA.

A native of Woodstock, Va., SFC Hardgrove enlisted in the Virginia Army National Guard in 1999 as an infantryman. He has held leadership positions from Team Leader through Platoon Sergeant and since 2012, he has been active duty for the Army National Guard in the Title 10 AGR (Active Guard/Reserve) Program.

Since 2012, SFC Hardgrove has held assignments as an Operations Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in Headquarters, Army National Guard G1 and as a Protocol NCO for the Chief, National Guard Bureau.

During his career, SFC Hardgrove has served several tours of duty overseas, including his assignments with Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan (Sept. 2004-July 2005) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (March 2007-Feb. 2008, and March-Aug. 2010).

To date, SFC Hardgrove has received 21 awards and decorations during his 19-year career and holds a Bachelor’s of Science from Liberty University in Strategic Intelligence.

He has been a Veteran Ambassador with Boot Campaign since 2014 and volunteers for Boot Campaign when he can around his active duty schedule.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Jason Borne

Jason Borne grew up in a small Texas town and, after his military career ended, came right back to the Lone Star State. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2003, deploying in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005, and served in the reserves until 2009. Jason attended the police academy in 2007, continuing his career in public service and building a health and wellness business on the side. It was then that he met Boot Campaign, forming an instant connection and participating in local events, photo shoots, and Pushups for Charity. Jason lives in Central Texas with his wife and three kids.

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt Marcus Burleson

He’s the guy who knows what it’s like: what it’s like to serve his country, what it’s like to make sacrifices, what it’s like to come home with injuries, what it’s like to qualify and receive the Purple Heart and what it’s like to start over after retiring from military service earlier than planned. In all this the twinkle in his eye and sly grin is ready to go whenever a moment of humor is needed.

A Texas man, Staff Sergeant Marcus Burleson joined the U.S. Marine Corps after completing two years of college. His career includes a deployment to Papua New Guinea, one of 150 countries in which the U.S. maintains a presence.

In one assignment, Mark worked a support mission for the Secret Service, protecting the President while vacationing, and then in Afghanistan as team leader with 2nd Platoon where he met up with an IED. In the end, Mark won the battle with that IED, but the wrestling match ended with him on the injured list and an ambulance ride to end all ambulance rides from Afghanistan to Walter Reed Hospital where he spent the next two years recovering from his injuries.

Mark found the Boot Campaign through Scott O’Neal (Boot Campaign Ambassador), who connected him almost from the moment he was injured. In fact, the Military Recovery Fund was named in his honor and his work to develop its infrastructure.

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt Jake McCormack

U.S. Marine Corps SSgt Jake McCormack enlisted into the delayed entry program of the United States Marine Corps in 2002 and shipped to MCRD San Diego in 2003. In April, 2005, he was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with Regimental Combat Team 5, Team Gator.

In 2006, he re-deployed back to Camp Fallujah in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon return to the states, Jake served as an instructor at the Assault Amphibian School and graduated Resident PME, where he was selected for Meritorious Staff Sergeant on the Non-SDA Meritorious board.

He is currently serving as the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Sub Station, Sherman, Texas. Over the course of his career, Jake has received the Navy and Marine Corps achievement medal with two gold stars and Combat distinguishing device, a Combat Action ribbon and a Good Conduct medal with two bronze stars. In addition to volunteering with Boot Campaign, Jake loves being outdoors and fishing with his wife and son.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt Zachary E. Bell

Sergeant Zachary E. Bell, served four years in the United States Marine Corps as an infantry rifleman, the primary infantry position, with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment based in Camp Lejeune, N.C. from 2007-2011, and joined Boot Campaign as a Hero Ambassador in 2015.

A native of west Tenn., Sgt. Bell deployed twice to Helmand Province, Afghanistan during his military career, including assignments in Garmsir, from March to July 2008, and Marja, from December 2009 to July 2010, as this part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He planned, coordinated and executed over 400 counter-insurgency operations within the area of operations over the course of his two seven-month deployments in Afghanistan. He also planned, organized and supervised preparation and execution of unit movement and operations with Afghan military, NATO multinational military forces, DOD and other commercial agencies.

Bell received a battlefield promotion to corporal for meritorious service and held the billet of infantry squad leader. After he departed active duty in Feb. 2011 he received the rank of sergeant.

After leaving the military, Zachary began pursuing a college degree and in the fall of 2014 earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn. In May 2016 Zachary completed his master’s in business administration at Lipscomb University, and he now works in healthcare in Nashville, TN.

Seeking creative outlets for his military experiences, he has contributed articles to both The New York Times, for its “At War: Notes from the Front Lines” blog, and the Huffington Post.

Zachary currently lives in Nashville where he engages the local community to foster awareness about military / veteran issues and the services offered by the Boot Campaign. Zachary’s free time is spent with his wife, Christy, and their two children, Alyssa and Audrey. Connect with him on Twitter & Instagram @ZacharyEBell.

U.S. Navy HM2 (FMF) Michael McFarland