Troops First Foundation

03/02/2026

Warriors and Defenders…peer to peer mentoring…lessons learned…connectivity and trust…doing the work.

11/16/2025

Make a call.
Take a call.
Have an honest conversation.

07/25/2025

Thanks to the Warrior Call team for making the Seymour Johnson AFB a very successful engagement. DEFEAT ISOLATION.

This past week, I had the incredible honor of being with my Troops First Foundation family at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro, North Carolina, speaking to hundreds and hundreds of dedicated members from various units of the United States Air Force.

To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with my tribe — to speak from the heart about real, raw topics like isolation, depression, and the giant elephant in the room: su***de— was humbling, healing, and deeply needed.

Too often, we wear the uniform of strength while silently struggling behind it. Depression doesn’t always look like sadness — sometimes it looks like distance, like silence, like “I’m fine.” And isolation? It’s the silent killer that convinces us we’re alone when we’re anything but.

We must talk about it.

We must reach out.

We must have the honest conversations.
We must stay connected.

Because connection saves lives.

Here’s the hard truth:

According to the Department of Defense Annual Su***de Report,
331 service members died by su***de in 2022 alone.

Veterans die by su***de at a rate 57% higher than non-veterans.

The majority of those who die by su***de never asked for help.

We can’t let our friends, our battle buddies, our fellow warriors suffer in silence.

If you notice someone pulling away — reach in.

If you’re struggling — reach out.
If you’re breathing — keep going. You matter.

Let’s end the stigma. Let’s stay connected. Let’s keep the conversation going.

Much love to the entire Seymour Johnson AFB community and everyone standing in this fight with us. You’re not alone — not ever.

***dePrevention

03/23/2025

Please tune in to 60 Minutes tonight as Troops First COO and Warrior Call team member, Frank Larkin shares the story of his son, Navy SEAL Ryan Larkin. Ryan took his own life after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Frank suspected there was more to his su***de than depression and has been on a relentless journey that has uncovered a hidden danger in military service. This in many ways is a follow on story to the piece that 60 minutes aired in April 2018 on Sergeant First Class Brian “Doc” Mancini. It was determined after Doc’s death by su***de that he suffered from physical brain damage caused by blast wave exposure. The question remains, what are we doing today that we did not do for Doc and Ryan.

After decorated Navy SEAL Ryan Larkin died by su***de, his father suspected his son’s military service had caused an invisible brain injury—a kind of wound unrecognized by science. The findings sent a shock wave through the Pentagon. Scott Pelley reports, Sunday.

11/17/2024

Today is the day! Join us in National Warrior Call Day as we work to defeat isolation among our service members - active and retired. Reach out to your Battle Buddies…make a call, take a call, be honest. And connect them to resources if needed.

10/28/2024

Corporal (R) USMC Matthew Bradford offers his take on the 14th annual Vaqueros Del Mar fundraising event for the Troops First Foundation https://youtu.be/jDDFvjeIn0U

10/23/2024

Take a look at the most unique way to arrive at Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort to date. Master Sergeant (R) Chris Corbin and Juliet formed a spirited airborne tandem. Troops First Foundation Troops First 24/7 Battle Buddies https://youtu.be/svudvqg3iu4

10/19/2024

The 14th annual Vaqueros del Mar ended with a drone show tribut to our troops as the band played on;) Thank you to our host Tapatio Springs Hill Country Resort and everyone who contributed to a memorable event. https://youtu.be/HqiOPOfjoB8

11/11/2023

As we celebrate Veterans Day, FOX 5 is looking ahead to National Warrior Call Day. 29-year-old Ryan Larkin was a decorated U.S. Navy seal, a special operations medic, and a sniper, who according to his father started to spiral after two combat tours in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. Frank Larkin -- th...

11/09/2023