Why Raider Sailing Foundation Exists…and Why We Need Your Help

The founding volunteers behind Raider Sailing Foundation are all combat veterans who saw first hand the impact that military service has on the individual, the challenges there can be adapting to civilian life even years after leaving the service, and how shared dynamic activities like sailing can rekindle that camaraderie and purpose.

We saw it in ourselves, we saw it in our comrades-in-arms, and we felt confident that Raider Sailing Foundation sailing trips can make a significant difference.

Our inaugural trip reinforced our mission and provided so many impactful conversations and experiences that we are sharing with you below. Please get to know the combat veterans of our first trip and find out how you can help our second trip happen this October.

Impact of Service to the Individual

Steve served 26 years in the Marine Corps and was the senior enlisted Marine for Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines (2/1) for combat deployments to Iraq for the invasion in 2003 and Fallujah in 2004. Being ready for the environment of going to combat is why he trained himself and his Marines. 

That training paid off in numerous combat actions including the First Battle of Fallujah (Operation Vigilant Resolve).However, training doesn’t prepare you for the longer-term costs of those combat actions which usually appear long after. Fox Company lost a large number of Marines to injury and death, including Steve’s severe injuries. That was one of the most challenging moments for Steve, “Being injured myself, I wasn’t there for when we lost 12 Marines.” 

Of the impact of service,Steve said it best, “Out of 26 years in the military I can’t think of any two years [with Fox 2/1 in Iraq] that define both the people that I worked along with or the aftermath.”

Nick was in the Marine Corps for 11 years and also was with Fox 2/1 in Iraq. During conversations, Nick reflected on the deep bonds formed during his time in the Marine Corps, particularly with Fox Company. He saw the experience of combat became more challenging as it became personal, especially when dealing with the loss of comrades. 

Nick talked about the significance of the brotherhood formed during service, which extends beyond the military into civilian life. He described it as a unique and enduring connection, unlike anything found in the civilian world. Despite the challenges, Nick continues to live his life in honor of those who are no longer here, cherishing the impact they had on him

Challenges of Adapting to Civilian Life, Even Years After Leaving the Service 

Over countless conversations while sailing the boat, enjoying a sunset, or sharing a meal, our veterans all noted difficulties adapting to civilian life, even after being out for more than a decade. 

Doc (Marine term for corpsman) Mike discussed the challenge of forming friendships with civilians after leaving the military. Despite being out for over 20 years, he still struggles to truly connect with people who do not understand his military background. He described how civilians might see only "70% of you and not the whole picture" because they cannot comprehend the experiences that shaped him

Doc Joe highlighted the difficulty of losing the deep bonds formed in the military. These relationships were both "forever and temporary," profound but also fleeting once he left the service. He mentioned how challenging it was to accept that he might never experience such closeness again after stepping away from the unit.

Power of Shared Dynamic Activities, Like Sailing

It was incredible to watch how focusing on learning the basics of sailing and making sure the boat was on course allowed the guys to disconnect from their daily challenges and turn inward. The trip allowed them to confront and reflect on their service, providing a space to heal and understand the lasting effects of their military careers. 

Doc Joe reflected on his initial apprehension about being a part of the trip due to his prosthetic limb. He worried that it might make him a burden or out of place. However, through the course of the trip, he found that he was fully included and accepted by the group. He confronted his self-doubt and stepped outside of his comfort zone, leading to a greater sense of peace and comfort after the trip.

The trip provided an opportunity for the participants to reconnect with others who shared their experiences and also provided a “freedom of focus.” The need to stay locked in on the tasks at hand instead of the multitude of everyday tasks and issues created a simplicity of life and freedom similar to their previous life in the service. Being with those who could understand the full scope of their experiences and the cognitive “room” created by being on the boat gave everyone the space to reflect on their time both in the military and after getting out and where there were opportunities to rekindle the purpose they previously felt.

But what did they think about the sailing?

Well, it was definitely more enjoyable than the time many of them spent upon Navy ships! They found the sailing experience refreshing and enjoyed being exposed to new things. Despite the limited experience, it was enough to plant a seed of interest and confidence. 

“I felt that I could potentially, with more experience, do a sailing trip on my own or with a limited crew size going forward. So I really did enjoy that!”

Why We Need Your Help

These experiences show how the sailing trip serves as a catalyst for veterans to confront their past, reflect on their service, and begin to heal from the lasting effects of their military careers.

The trip underscored the importance of addressing mental health and the need for veterans to find supportive environments where they can share their stories and support each other.

Combat veterans continue to give to their communities, and we are passionate that they will be empowered to make an even bigger impact with the tools to drive continued connection and personal growth.

That brings us to why we need your help. Because of the generous donation of the boat by Joe and Christina Bassani and operating funds from a number of early donors, we were able to complete our first trip. We have a number of combat veterans eager to get a spot on the next trip, which we are targeting for October 2024, again from Annapolis.

We need to raise the funds to be able provide this powerful experience for these combat vets.

Our goal is $15,000 to cover the participants travel, meals, dock and mooring fees, fuel, and a budget for maintenance and repairs. Please help us raise the funds to empower the next group of combat veterans!