WATCH: Warrior Expeditions Help Soldiers Heal and Have Fun

After soldiers fulfill their acts of duty, what happens next? Do they go on vacation? Do they have time to heal and decompress? Not usually. In today's age, military personnel are thrown right back into their lives. When does the healing come? When do they get to process everything that happened oversees?
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After soldiers fulfill their acts of duty, what happens next? Do they go on vacation? Do they have time to heal and decompress? Not usually. In today's age, military personnel are thrown right back into their lives. When does the healing come? When do they get to process everything that happened oversees?

Since 2001, over 2.5 million veterans have returned home from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but many of them have never transitioned from their experiences. A recent report from the Department of Veteran Affairs states that over 20% of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

In 2012, after returning home from three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, Warrior Hike founder Sean Gobin hiked all 2,185 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Recognizing the therapeutic effects of long distance hiking, Sean created the "Walk Off The War" Program which is designed to support veterans
transitioning from their military service by thru-hiking America's National Scenic Trails. Also, Warrior Hike assists veterans with future employment opportunities offered by the numerous supporters of the "Walk Off The War" Program For vets who cant hike because of injuries they offer a paddle down the Mississippi River. Whether it's hiking or paddling, these veterans are on their way to recovery. To learn more about Warrior Hike, check out their website and Facebook page.

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