The mission of Operation Healing Forces (OHF) is to serve the needs of our active-duty and recent-veteran wounded, ill, and injured and fallen Special Operations Forces (SOF) and their spouses by starting or continuing the process of mentally, physically and emotionally healing in preparation to return to the fight or transition successfully into civilian life. Our concept is simple: Strengthen human bonds. OHF provides vital support to America's heroes through therapeutic retreats, resilience-based programs, and immediate needs and crisis grants. Through therapeutic retreats, our purpose is to enable these war-torn men and women to break through the silence to openly discuss their battlefield and personal hardships. A safe, protected environment allows our participants to let their guard down and share. Realizing they are not alone, participants discover it is appropriate — and not a stigma — to seek help, support, and guidance when needed from fellow SOF professionals and their families.The retreat environment combined with peer-to-peer counseling and recreational therapies enable sincere bonding between couples, with other spouses going through similar hardships, and among fellow SOF service members. Through our Special Operations Additional Resource (SOAR) program, SOF and their families can receive case by case assistance with our beneficial services. These services include long range financial planning, transitioning or retired SOF and family employment services, caregiver retreats, alumni support, legal assistance and resources, and ambassador dinners. OHF Immediate Needs program provides direct crisis support to Special Operations personnel and their families. The program covers costs that are not covered by government means including travel and expenses related to medical emergencies, medical and adaptive equipment, funeral and memorials costs, and other as needed crisis support. Markel’s efforts and donations from kind and generous patriots, Operation Healing Forces, Inc., a 501(c)(3) covers all costs for the couples enrichment and rehabilitative programs.
