01/26/2026
It's been almost one year since Get Veterans Outdoors last post on Facebook. I wanted to send this post out to all of those who recently started following Get Veterans Outdoors page. My name is Kraig Patriquin. My wife Jessica and I started GVO years ago coming from a Veteran, Medical, and Mental Health lens. Upon discharge from the Army, I was lost. I didn't know what to do as the military was all I wanted to do; I wanted that 20 plus year career. When I was told I was "unfit for duty" after my third tour in Iraq, it was like a dagger in my heart. What I didn't know then, and happy I know now, is Jesus had other plans for my life. Like many of us, "what now" rang in my head for a while until someone said, "Post 9/11 GI Bill will pay you to go to school.", I chuckled. As a man who barely graduated High School and dabbled in Junior College (clueless why I was going at all) until the horrific day of 9-11-2001 when I joined the Army a few days later, the thought of going to college in my 30s was almost unheard of. Fast forward to a Bachelor's Degree followed by a Masters Degree in Social Work with an emphasis in Counseling Miltary and Veterans (University of Southern California), I thought that wasn't bad. As I pondered "what's next" Jessica reminded me I couldn't go to school the rest of my life, which I thought was a solid plan, unitl the GI Bill ran out. I have been practicing social work as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for over a decade. Starting Get Veterans Outdoors was a way for me to combine my time as a Soldier and my time as an LCSW working with my military brothers and sisters. The mission statement of GVO is pretty simple. The mission statement is based off my real world applications as both a Veteran who struggled (a lot) after my military time was up, and a mental health provider, boots on ground with people going through it as well. In all of this, I have never placed myself on any pedistol or looked down at anyone regardless of how deep in the weeds we went with our work together just because I have a few letters behind my name. Truth is, if not for a dad (Vietnam Veteran) who pushed education, a mom who went through hell seeing her son come back not the same person, a loving wife, an amazing family, and some true friends, both military and civilian, I could easily be on the other side of the therapy desk - or dead. Therefore, Get Veterans Outdoors is simple...Isolation leads to Ruminations that often leads to Substance Abuse that unfortunately leads to losing a brother or sister. Therefore, GVO, attempt to get like-minded individuals, going through like struggles, in close geographical proximity to one another, outdoors. We have done a little bit of everything outdoor-ish to include goose hunting, duck hunting, big game hunting, fishing, ice fishing, golf, Top Golf, hiking, camping, picini's...etc. The whole point is to break down walls, get outside of those walls, connect with people that like doing the same kind of stuff, build a small network of people in your area, and then here is the key to it all - keep doing those things, with those Veterans after the retreat is over. It's really that simple.
I am done typing. Rheumatoid Arthritis, Sucks
I simply wanted to say, hi. We are back. I, Kraig, had to take some time to figure some of my own s**t out. I sought help, I accepted Jesus, I am still a work in progress, still in therapy myself, and committed to still helping others not only just through book smarts, but through my testimony. I am an open book, just ask.
We are branching two new ministries out of Get Veterans Outdoors in the near future.
The first is Pet Six - The goal of Pet Six is to provide a safe place for Veterans to bring their dogs, cats, parakeets, goldfish (whatever) so they can focus on treatment. I lost count of how many Veterans over the years were so close to committing to detox or treatment and wouldn't commit because there was not a safe place for their pets to go while they went and got the help they wanted. Trust me, I get it. I like dogs more than people. A lot more to come on this endeavor as we are praying about land, locations, and staffing.
The second is 99-4-me Ministry - This is my personal ministry which I am also praying about and actively building a team around. All I know now is the ministry is based on the parable of the lost sheep where Jesus leaves 99 sheep (the righteous) to find the one lost sheep (the lost, the broken, the sinner) - That's me, I am that lost sheep. All I want is to share with others what He has done for me over the almost two years after accepting Him as my Savior. Again, lots to pray about here, lots of doors already being opened, and I am remaining still with an open heart and open mind while He shows me what this will look like, and how these wrap into combining my personal passions or Jesus, Wife, Family, Friends, Veterans, and the Outdoors.
I am excited for the future.
I appreciate those that read until the end - two stars for you.
Kraig Patriquin
