WWA ALUMNI TESTIMONIALS
MIKE KUYPERS
Commander | Retired | US Navy
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: I think a lot of Veterans’ programs step you thru the detailed items to transition you to civilian life. I think what’s different about the Wild Warrior Adventure, it’s not all about the things you need to do to check off a check list, but it’s really about your HEART. The opportunity to be together with guys who may or may not know God’s calling them in their heart. It’s been really exciting.
WHY WWA? I came here knowing that I probably would experience God in this setting – how could you not with this amazing beautiful creation, but I left here with a band of brothers that I know I will be able to keep in touch with the rest of my life and that’s something Veterans particularly miss when they leave service. I would say if you are thinking that you don’t need other guys in your life, you’re surely mistaken. If you want to feel fully alive, come to WWA and your life will be changed forever.
ROBERT MCKENZIE
Sergeant Major | Retired | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: I have gotten to know myself a whole lot better, and now realize I need to get closer to the Lord. I’ve got to emphasize that religion and God are not really pushed. It’s here, and it’s kind of like bait put out, it’s kind of hard to resist it. It’s a wonderful experience. I have a lot of things to take away. I’ve learned a lot about myself, to get closer to the Lord and learn His word.
WHY WWA? Honestly there is no comparison with other Veterans’ programs, none whatsoever. This week has helped my soul and myself. The camaraderie has been just unbelievable. I’ve had issues with trust for years, and this week has really turned that around. Anyone who has ever been in combat, I know what you’re going thru. This WWA is exactly what would put you on the right path. Given an opportunity to come, I couldn’t recommend anything bigger or better.
JONATHAN (JONNY) BENTON
Staff Sergeant | Retired | US Army
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: Definitely came into this week not knowing what to expect. Having been to other Veteran service programs to help those in the thick of personal battles. I had always craved or desired a program that takes it to the next level, not just overcoming post-traumatic stress or physical wounds and pain, but once we learn how to cope with that stuff, what’s next? To me WWA was that next.
WHY WWA? I feel I’m taking back a piece of the man, my family kept asking would come home. I feel a lot of us – a general theme within the Veteran community – feel a part of me was left over there, Iraq, Afghanistan, whatever conflicted zone that you’re in. We all want to bring that part of us back, to recapture who we were. I’ve told men before that I really want to be that guy I was before I joined the Army…..and this week is bringing me back to that guy who I was before.
ANTHONY BAKER
Commander | Chaplin | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: There is an authenticity and realness that is purposely integrated into the program, there is no pretense here. It’s come as you are, lay down your burdens, lay down simply what you have, there is no room for judgment or an agenda for someone to be “fixed”. It is certainly refreshing.
WHY WWA? I know this week reinforced the idea that I am a warrior. There are physical warriors and spiritual warriors and sometimes there’s both. I realize I am both and with the Lord behind me, the Lord in front of me, I know what my mission is. I know what I have to do. I’m going to continue to be that warrior.
STEVE KAUSTINEN
Lance Corporal | Retired | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: This program is very transformative. There have been other Veteran programs that have been pretty impressive and moving, quite powerful – but this one has had some extra special meaning for me because it’s been a chance to drop some weights that have been holding me back and an opportunity to find out who I am inside because of where I came from, what things I may have not known that were holding me back and may have affected my personality growing up that I never knew about my family – it was really cool. In the process it strengthened my marriage as well. Bringing my wife into the process before during and after it’s just going to be something amazing that only God can bring.
WHY WWA? In a setting like this you have a “Squad” like element makes it more dynamic – because a squad is who you eat, live and breathe with and you get that sense when you are here. It brings back that camaraderie. Just an amazing experience to be a part of other people’s lives to see them to grow, rediscover who they are and get their heart back. I think everyone here could attest that they got a big chunk of their heart back, if not all of it. Thank you, for those that made this possible, literally thank you from the bottom of my heart. That thanks comes from not just myself, but my family too.
CHRIS REARDON
Major | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: You’re able to talk about issues with your marriage, deployments – whatever “that” is, you’re able to get it out in a safe environment and you’re able to find some type of coping mechanism.
WHY WWA? Has this been one of the greatest weeks of my life? It sure has! It’s definitely a memory I’ll have the rest of my life. I would definitely encourage people to come out here. The best thing I’ve discovered from WWA that makes it incredible was you’re surrounded with other Veterans, and have a common bond not just about faith, but also the bond of our military experience. We were able to bare our souls with each other in a way I’ve never seen before that is very therapeutic. You are able to get things out in the open and find encouragement from others who have gone through similar issues, helping each other, you find hope and encouragement for your own situation
The fly-fishing was awesome as I caught some great fish – a 24” fish yesterday, I felt super proud about that. I feel very blessed that God gave me this opportunity to come out here.
CALEB JOINER
Major | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: This was different because of all the guys that showed up helped out with the facilitation. Their engagement, to really share details of their stories, how they have grown in their walk where they are at now. That authentic engagement across the whole group was great.
WHY WWA? The forgiveness from God! What you have done in the past was significant, and it mattered, but He provides forgiveness for you, and a path forward. This week really aided me, and most of the group, in bringing that out, recognizing that forgiveness has provided a path forward.
DANIEL CARRERA
Sergeant | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: Faith. I’ve been on other fruitful adventures with Vets, but faith was missing. Adding faith and God brought about deep emotions and feelings. The thought-provoking subject matter that has led me look into my future more profoundly than I have in the past.
WHY WWA? God’s love was here. The friendships that I’ve gained, and the support from the men that I’ve met was huge. There are so many things that I’m taking away, but if I was going to name one grand takeaway it would be God’s love. It’s here.
COLE KENNEDY
RANK TO COME
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: The men here at Wild Warrior Adventures represent the best. I had a chance to meet them, to learn about them and their service and what hurts them. A friend thought it would be a good idea for me to come, and it really was. It healed my soul and let me realize some stuff about myself that I wouldn’t have in any other situation.
WHY WWA? My time at Wild Warrior Adventures was a time of healing. I came in here thinking that I didn’t have too many problems to be solved. On leaving here, I realize that I need to make improvements in my walk with the Lord, and I plan to implement that.
PATRICK WALKER
Corporal | Retired | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: I don’t know what it is up here, but at a lot of Veteran events, the first few days guys are measuring each other up, where do I fall in on this rank, who’s superior who’s not. Here it’s not, within two days you are united with some new best friends, then you enjoy that the rest of the week.
WHY WWA? To be re-energized, re-centered on Christ and refocused on Him. I guess the saying of “this could be the greatest week of your life”. The place is beautiful, but what happens here, just men, truly being men, opening up, being transparent getting rid of some of the baggage we hold onto, going home fresh and re-energized.
DREW TOOTHMAN
Gunnery Sergeant | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: My experience with the Wild Warrior Adventure was life changing. They modified their program, tailoring it to combat wounded Veterans, providing a secure environment where healing could take place. The peaceful waters lower guards and unlock strongholds, allowing meaningful conversations around the fire at night. It is an intense personal journey, a hard look inside yourself, yet shared with all men present therefore creating lifelong brothers. For Military Veterans, displaced in their own society, this is a gathering of like kind and a chance to express themselves in the vernacular acquired through service and combat. Each man’s journey is different but the common bonds allow understanding and an opportunity to speak into each other’s lives.
WHY WWA? In the end I walked away with a peace I may have never had before in my life and a greater sense of purpose. These things now drive me daily to help others and also to find the occasional fishing hole. It’s not about catching fish so much as going where they live. It’s there, among God’s creation that you find the peace you crave.
JOHN HARSH
Sergeant | Retired | US Marine Corps
WHAT WILD ADVENTURERS SAY: Here we all have permission to be men. I think that’s important. On most other retreats or men’s groups, that manliness is suppressed. It really needs to come out and in a place like this, we have permission to get some of that out. It really freed us up to talk about the important stuff that we don’t get to talk about with Godly men. The really tough stuff like lusting after other women, porn, how to deal with your wife, all kinds of stuff that is really tough to talk about around other men.
WHY WWA? It’s amazing how GOD works in mysterious ways and if you get a chance to enjoy at least one of my life changing moments through this program, you will never forget it and be rest assured, YOU WILL RETURN!