We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Justin Jackson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Justin, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

When I redeployed back to Germany, after a 12-month combat tour in Afghanistan, I was determined to experience life with renewed passion and appreciation. Being a paratrooper with the 173rd Airborne Brigade was a rigorous assignment. As a Forward Observer (JFO), I was responsible for all indirect fire assets, including Close-Air-Support, for a CAV Scout platoon in the 173rds RISTA (Reconnaissance, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition) Squadron (1/91 CAV). We trained in small arms, explosives, close-quarter-combat, airborne operations, communications, infantry tactics, etc. It was one of the great honors of my life to serve on such a professional and extremely effective team; and I am very proud of the effort we gave in service to our nation. My mind was very uneasy upon returning to Germany. PTSD, along with alcohol and drug abuse, was rampant in my unit. The ARMY has an MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation) program that offered recreational opportunities on Post/Base/in Garrison. One such activity was ski/snowboard trips to the Alps. Growing up in Texas, I had never been on snow…, but at 31 years old, I discovered that I could tap into as much adrenaline as I wanted… all I need do is point downhill! This first experience on skis, in Garmish, Germany, changed my life in such a profound way. The air, the physical exertion, the focus required, not just in manuevering downhill, but in the subtle movements of heels and toes, and the shifting of weight took me to another place. On the mountain I was able to escape ghosts and speak with God. This spiritual and physical connection, that I attribute to keeping me out of “the dark places”, was my inspiration for starting Vets Outdoors. I wanted other Military Service Members who may be struggling to find an “out” that promoted both physical and mental health. Whether it was trauma experienced during their military service, or just readjusting back to civilian life, I discovered there was an exceptional need in the Veteran Community for an organization such as Vets Outdoors. Founded on Veterans Day 2020, the Vets Outdoors core mission is to enhance the lives of American Veterans and current U.S. Military personnel by providing recreational activities and events, camaraderie, healing, and purpose.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Vets Outdoors is a veteran founded 501(c)3 non-profit, built to provide recreational activities, events, camaraderie, healing, and purpose for Veterans and current U.S. Military personnel and their families. From healing retreats, adrenaline pumping adventures, to bonding trips on the lake, Vets Outdoors aims to enhance Veterans lives one memory at a time.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

I founded Vets Outdoors on Veterans Day 2020, with incredible encouragement from my wife and soulmate, Michelle. I had conducted the research, created the charter, and filed all required paperwork with the State of Arkansas and the IRS. The following year, the Secretary of State of Arkansas contacted me requesting personal information about Vets Outdoors Directors. I contacted the office of the Secretary of State and explained that Vets Outdoors was a very small operation run by myself, with support from Michelle. I went on to clarify our intended purpose as a 501(c)3 was to legally obtain donations that would directly support veterans and the US Military Community. The office worker I spoke to that day was contemptuousness and suggested I was in over my head, that I would need an attorney to comply with the office’s requirement. I didn’t buy into her disdain, and created a social media post asking if any vets or current military personnel in my social media feed were interested in coming on board as an Assistant-Director. From that post, I was able to bring Stephen Christenberry, who I served with in Afghanistan, and Johnathan Marshell, an Active Duty Arkansas Air National Guard Airman on board. Bringing Stephen and Johnathan on became a force multiplier. Not only did I fulfill a governmental requirement by adding these two exceptional men to the Vets Outdoors staff, but our organization really took on a family atmosphere as all our spouses now became actively involved. Stephens wife, Myla, was very influential in setting up a social media presence and supported the initial launch of our website, www.VetsOutdoors.live; while Ashley Marshell, Johnathan’s wife, an Active Duty Arkansas Air National Guardsman herself, became an indispensable member of our team and now heads Vets Outdoors social media presence.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Vets Outdoors is still very much a grassroots organization. Our reputation is almost exclusively spread by word-of-mouth and social media. There have been many challenges maneuvering through social media platforms in order to bring attention to our organization and mission. On a local level, we have seen success partnering with businesses within our community that desire to support veterans and Vets Outdoors. Whether its Ozark Beer Company in downtown Rogers providing a space for us to hold a “Yoga for Vets” fundraiser, or Crystal Springs Marina Resort outside of Hot Springs providing facilities for a late-summer retreat, we are continually astonished with the amount of local support we receive.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vetsoutdoors.live/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vetsoutdoors_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VetsOutdoors.501c3
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinjackson173rdabn/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@vetsoutdoors5660
• Other: Email: [email protected]