Irreverent Warriors, Inc.

Appalled. Outraged. Fired Up. Guys, we just finished reading the latest DOD Annual Report on Suicide, and we are absolutely appalled. Despite an unprecedented surge in funding for mental health treatment in the military—think hundreds of millions of dollars poured into status quo therapies like talk therapy, pharmaceuticals, and inpatient programs—the suicide rate among active duty troops didn’t go down. It went up. By 12%. Year-over-year. Let that sink in for a moment. After all those resources, after all the initiatives aimed at "doing more," the numbers are worse. And the worst part? The tone of the report reads like nothing's wrong. No alarm bells. No urgency. No calls for innovative, outside-the-box thinking. Just more of the same. These aren’t just numbers on a page. These are our brothers and sisters. Our tip of the spear. Our best. And they're hurting worse than ever, even as we throw more dollars at treatments that clearly aren’t working for everyone. At Irreverent Warriors, we refuse to accept "business as usual." We’re fighting to be the change, to deliver real solutions that work—solutions based on camaraderie, connection, and healing. Real emotional healing that comes from sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with someone who understands your pain, because they've been there, too. It’s time to stop putting Band-Aids on this problem and start demanding real change. Our veterans—and our active duty service members—deserve so much better than this. Stay with us, brothers and sisters. We’re just getting started. ?? #IrreverentWarriors #StopSoldierSuicide #VeteranMentalHealth #BreakTheStigma https://lnkd.in/gcxibyAD

If you haven't heard of Giving Tuesday, it is an opportunity to "join the movement and give, whether it’s some of your time, a donation, or the power of your voice in your local community." As many of you know, our organization is mainly supported by the hard work of our amazing volunteers, as well as through donations, to help spread our mission around the world. This year, Giving Tuesday is held on December 3rd. One of the ways in which you could give to Irreverent Warriors on Giving Tuesday is through donations on our website or to your local chapter, as well as through the CFC. > https://givecfc.org/ Just visit their website, click DONATE and search our CFC number (#94915) to make a pledge and join us in making a difference. If you're interested in volunteering, please reach out to us so we can connect you with your local IW chapter. > https://lnkd.in/gFya5Nf8 Your donation and support will go a long way to impacting thousands of veterans around the world, so a huge thank you to all of you! > https://givecfc.org/

Our Virtual 5K is over and WOW! We absolutely crushed it! Together, we raised an incredible $23,418 during the virtual 5K. That’s 141 runners and 245 donors stepping up for the mission. Drum roll for the local chapter who is receiving the title of our reigning champion - Fort Walton Beach, FL! ?? Here are our top 5 Teams and Individuals - Teams: 1. Fort Walton Beach, FL - $4,120 2. Connecticut - $3,000 3. New Braunfels, TX - $2,425 4. San Antonio, TX - $1,670 5. Indianapolis - $1,285 Individuals: 1. Ed Eaton - $2,425 2. Nate - $2,405 3. Anna Hunter - $1,245 4. Matt Scally - $1,220 5. Scott Freyer - $1,113 We have shared some photos below of those who participated! If you have photos of your 5k journey, we'd love to see them. If you participated, you also had the opportunity to work towards receiving some incentives, including a custom shirt & medal (for registering), an IW branded multicam cap, lunchbox cooler AND bluetooth speaker. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information on your qualification for those incentives! We are in awe of all that we were able to accomplish during this 5K event. Your efforts will make a huge impact on supporting our mission and programming around the world. Thank you for showing up for this virtual 5K and proving that even miles apart, we can still move mountains together. Keep up the amazing work—and start training for next year ??

This year, National Wreaths Across America Day will be held on Saturday, December 14, 2024. ?????? Every year, some of our local IW chapters coordinate visits to a local cemetery to remember and honor our fallen heroes. If you would like to be a part of this, we highly encourage our Irreverent Warriors/Grunt Style Foundation tribe to either visit Wreaths Across America's website to volunteer or reach out to your local leadership to see if they have anything planned. For those of our leaders who are putting together a group of volunteers, please feel free to comment under this post with your state, city and where to contact you for more information. #wreathsacrossamerica #honorthefallen #rememberourheroes #irreverentwarriors

Happy Veteran’s Day! ???? Today we honor all who have served and sacrificed for our country. Irreverent Warriors exists because of you and for you. #veteransday?#wesaluteyou?#veterans?#irreverentwarriors?#bettertogether

Happy 249th birthday Marine Corps! ???? #marinecorps #marinecorpsbirthday #marineveteran #irreverentwarriors #silkieshike

The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is honored to partner with the Grunt Style Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing life-changing resources for veterans, service members and their families, to raise awareness about the mental health needs of veterans, with a focus on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and promoting alternative treatment methods. This national collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both nonprofit organizations to accomplish five main objectives: - Raise awareness about the importance of addressing mental health needs - Promote alternative treatment methods for PTSD - Reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues amongst the veteran community - Share available resources and best practices related to mental health treatments - Collaborate on fundraising initiatives to support the mental health programs of both organizations To learn more about the VFW and Grunt Style Foundation’s national initiative, please visit https://lnkd.in/gHAU5s8m. #vfw #gruntstylefoundation #gruntstyle #veteranmentalhealth #veteranresources #partnership

There’s something magical about Alaska’s wild beauty – the towering mountains, vast glaciers, and incredible wildlife. Every moment out here reminds us of the strength, resilience, and camaraderie that Irreverent Warriors is all about. Together, we’re not just exploring; we’re finding inspiration, renewing spirits, and building unforgettable memories. From spotting whales to hiking in the shadow of majestic peaks, this is more than a trip – it’s a journey shared with friends who become family. Join our cruise to Alaska May 31 - June 7, 2025 as we make memories and toast to life in one of the most breathtaking places on earth. For more details or to reserve your room, visit www.IWCruiseForACause.com

December is around the corner and with it comes our last two hikes of the 2024 season. ? But don't you worry - we are already working on the 2025 schedule!? ? Plus, we will be planning more local events throughout the year, to keep you connected with your IW tribe.? ? In the meantime, we hope to close out 2024 with you at one of our remaining hikes! Register here. > https://lnkd.in/gx3zMyme ? #irreverentwarriors?#silkieshike?#bettertogether?#hikeschedule?#militaryevent

It's our wonderful members like you that keep us smiling! Thank you Kimberly Retherford