Green Beret Foundation

PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, SUPPORT, AND LIAISING FOR THE WOUNDED, ILL, INJURED AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS (INCLUDING KILLED IN ACTION) OF THE SPECIAL FORCES REGIMENT (GREEN BERETS) WHEN THE CARE SYSTEM DOES NOT COVER THE NEED DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THAT SERVICE MEMBER OR THEIR FAMILY.

CASUALTY SUPPORT: CASUALTY SUPPORT IS PROVIDED IN TWO FORMS: C3 CHECK AND GORUCK GR1. AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE, THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION ("GBF") IMMEDIATELY PROVIDES A $2,500 CHECK TO OFFSET HISTORICALLY PREDICTABLE AND UNPREDICTABLE EXPENSES AND A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED RUCKSACK PACKED WITH NON-TRIVIAL ESSENTIALS TO THOSE GREEN BERETS THAT HAVE BEEN MEDEVAC'D AWAY FROM THEIR PERMANENT DUTY STATION. THIS RUCKSACK IS A TOOL TO COMMUNICATE OUR INITIAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE GREEN BERET AND THEIR FAMILY. WE ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY AND REMAIN ENGAGED WITH THAT FAMILY. AS CASUALTY IMPACTS NOT JUST THE SOLDIER, BUT ALSO THEIR ENTIRE FAMILY. GBF STEPS IN TO PROVIDE THE EXTRA SUPPORT GREEN BERETS AND THEIR FAMILIES NEED IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING INJURED.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS SUPPORT: WE PROVIDE THE STRENGTH OF LONG-TERM OR ONGOING SUPPORT FOR SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS AS THEY MANAGE INJURIES AND CONDITIONS THAT HAVE RESULTED FROM THEIR SERVICE. THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ENSURE THAT THEIR MIND, BODY, AND SPIRIT ARE HEALTHY BY SUPPLEMENTING THE CARE THEY RECEIVE THROUGH THE MILITARY HEALTH SYSTEM AND THE VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES NOT COVERED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD) AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (VA) INCLUDING MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION TREATMENT, OR HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR ADAPTIVE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SUCH AS SPECIALIZED WHEELCHAIRS, BRACES, STIMULATION MACHINES, PROSTHETICS, ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT, COMPRESSION SYSTEMS FOR INJURIES, CHAIR LIFTS, CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENTS, OR MEDICAL SUPPLIES NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. TRAVEL AND LODGING COSTS FOR TREATMENTS, INCLUDING FOR FAMILY OR CAREGIVERS WHEN NEEDED. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HOSPICE CARE AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENTS.

NEXT RIDGELINE SUPPORT: THE NEXT RIDGELINE IS A METAPHOR USED TO SYMBOLIZE A JOURNEY FROM ONE PEAK TO ANOTHER. IN MILITARY TERMS IT MEANS THE HARD OBJECTIVE - VISIBLE BUT REQUIRES TIME AND EFFORT TO GET TO THE NEXT RIDGELINE. THE NEXT RIDGELINE ENSURES THAT SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE PREPARED TO TRANSITION FROM ACTIVE-DUTY SERVICE TO CIVILIAN LIFE AND HAVE A TRUSTED RESOURCE FOR NAVIGATING THE VA. THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION'S NEXT RIDGELINE PROGRAM PROVIDES TRANSITIONING SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS DIRECTION AND ACCESS TO A COMPREHENSIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE VETERANS AFFAIRS BENEFITS & DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESS AND INTERNAL SYSTEMS TO ENSURE A FAIR AND THOROUGH EVALUATION OF VA CLAIMS. THE ACCURACY OF THESE CLAIMS CAN RESULT IN A QUANTIFIABLE INCREASE IN TAX-FREE COMPENSATION TO A SPECIAL FORCE SOLDIER'S ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: VETERAN AFFAIRS ADVOCACY TO REVIEW CURRENT MILITARY/PERSONNEL SERVICE MEDICAL RECORDS OR POST-SERVICE VA. LOCATING ANY TREATMENT RECORDS OR ARCHIVED DOCUMENTS AS EVIDENCE TO SUBMIT WHEN FILING VA DISABILITY CLAIMS. ASSESS PREVIOUS SERVICE DOCUMENTATION OR RECORDS FOR A CONDITION OR AN INJURY THAT COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY LED TO A SERVICE-CONNECTION: THE IN-SERVICE INJURY OR DIAGNOSIS. ACCESS TO OUR REGIONAL ACCREDITED VETERANS SERVICES OFFICERS (VSO) TO FILE AN ORIGINAL OR UPDATED VA DISABILITY CLAIM. PRE-TRANSITION BRIEFINGS FOR SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS AND THEIR FAMILY.

FAMILY SUPPORT: THE FAMILY OF A SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER IS THEIR FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT SUPPORT, AND SO IT'S CRITICAL THAT THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION PROVIDES TRUST, STRENGTH, AND SERVICES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THE FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS INCLUDE SCHOLARSHIPS, HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS, AND ACCESS TO OUR VERY OWN STEEL MAGS SISTERHOOD PROGRAM. THESE PROGRAMS PROVIDE DIRECT ASSISTANCE FOR THE SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE CHALLENGES OF TRAINING, DEPLOYMENTS, AND LIFE AFTER THE MILITARY THAT ARE NOT AVAILABLE BY OTHER MEANS. THESE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SPOUSES WHO MUST BECOME A CAREGIVER TO A SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER. THIS SITUATION CAN AFFECT THEM EMOTIONALLY, PHYSICALLY, AND CAN OFTEN SEEM OVERWHELMING. WE HELP THEM MAKE SURE THEY ARE TAKING CARE OF THEMSELVES THROUGHOUT THE CAREGIVING PROCESS. FINANCIAL SUPPORT, CARE, AND EDUCATION FOR SPECIAL FORCES PARENTS WITH SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN. HEALTHCARE AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN SUFFERING FROM CONDITIONS NOT COVERED BY THE DOD/VA, INCLUDING CANCER, MEDICAL DEVICES, CHILDCARE, THERAPIES AND RETREATS, AND MEAL TRAINS. THE DE OPPRESSO LIBER (DOL) SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM, FOR QUALIFIED CHILDREN OF SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS. DOL1 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR CHILDREN OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, DOL2 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF WARRANT OFFICERS, AND DOL3 SCHOLARSHIPS ARE FOR THE CHILDREN OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. THE ATHENA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IS FOR SPECIAL FORCES SPOUSES PURSUING THEIR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE DEGREES. THE ATHENA GRANT PROVIDES SPECIAL FORCES SPOUSES FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO COVER THE COSTS OF VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS, EXAMS, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COURSES. THE STEEL MAGS SISTERHOOD PROGRAM IS EXCLUSIVE TO THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION. IT PROVIDES SPOUSES, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, AND CAREGIVERS OF SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIERS. THEY RECEIVE UNCONDITIONAL SUPPORT, STRENGTH, ADVOCACY, AND DIRECTION ON HOW TO ACCESS CRITICAL RESOURCES THAT EMPOWER THEM TO BUILD A LIFE WHERE THEY CAN THRIVE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILY. FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR MONTHLY LIVING EXPENSES DUE TO EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES.GOLD STAR & SURVIVING FAMILIES SUPPORT: OUR GOLD STAR FAMILY PROGRAM BEGINS IN THE IMMEDIATE WAKE OF A COMBAT DEATH, ASSISTING WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF NEEDS TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY DURING THE DIGNIFIED TRANSFER, MEMORIAL SERVICE, AND FUNERAL. OUR SACRED DUTY AND PRIVILEGE AT THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION IS TO SERVE THE FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WHO LOST A SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER. THE FINAL SACRIFICE OF A GOLD STAR SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER CAUSES US TO PAUSE, REFLECT, AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE FREEDOMS WE HOLD SO DEAR. FOR THIS REASON, OUR GOLD STAR PROGRAM REMAINS A CRITICAL FOCUS OF OUR MISSION. THE LOSS OF THE FALLEN SOLDIER MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS SET BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE (DOD). THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: PAYMENT OF FUNERAL COSTS NOT COVERED BY THE MILITARY (INCLUDING UNIT MEMORIALS, FUNERALS, TRAVEL/LODGING AND MOVING EXPENSES). CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN RESOURCES. SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR GOLD STAR CHILDREN IN THE FORM OF THERAPIES, ACTIVITIES, AND NETWORKING. NOT EVERY LOSS OF A GREEN BERET IS COMBAT RELATED. OUR SURVIVING FAMILY SUPPORT OFTEN BEGINS BEFORE THE GREEN BERET PASSES DUE TO INJURY IN TRAINING OR ILLNESS. WITH SUDDEN NON-COMBAT RELATED DEATHS, WE CAN REACT QUICKLY AND PROVIDE SEAMLESS SUPPORT. OUR SACRED DUTY AND PRIVILEGE AT THE GREEN BERET FOUNDATION IS TO SERVE THE FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES WHO LOST A SPECIAL FORCES SOLDIER. THE LOSS OF A SOLDIER CAUSES US TO PAUSE, REFLECT, AND GIVE THANKS FOR THE FREEDOMS WE HOLD SO DEAR. FOR THIS REASON, OUR SURVIVING FAMILIES PROGRAM REMAINS A CRITICAL FOCUS OF OUR MISSION. THIS PROGRAM INCLUDES: POSSIBLE ASSISTANCE OF FUNERAL COSTS NOT COVERED BY THE MILITARY. CONTINUOUS ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES TO IDENTIFY GAPS IN RESOURCES.NONCOMBAT RELATED DEATH SUPPORT INCLUDES MEMORIALS, FUNERALS, TRAVEL, AND LODGING, MOVING HOUSEHOLD GOODS, AND VEHICLES. SPECIFIC SUPPORT FOR THE HEALING OF THE GREEN BERET'S IMMEDIATE FAMILY THROUGH THERAPIES, ACTIVITIES, AND NETWORKING.