Operation Redefine Me

Message From Founder

  • Message From Founder

Our Story

Short Version

Why we started

Despite “resources”, training, faith, and support, transitioning from active duty to civilian life did not stop the suicidal thoughts. There was nothing to help ME.

why it works

Through the hardships,  faith prevailed and life changes were made for me and my family through this reidentification process. 

 

why we do it

We believe strongly in the mission and know lives can be changed. Not with a brochure, but something made specifically for YOU and your family. We want to be that change.

Why we started

As a Marine who transitioned out of the military after almost nine years, I am familiar with the thoughts of suicide that plagued my mind daily.  On the outside looking in, you would never know I was in such a dark place. I can certainly tell you that if any one of my family or friends were to know the dark thoughts racing through my mind, they would be surprised. If I didn’t have my faith and the belief that a purpose for my life is more significant than I can understand, I would have made that fatal life-ending decision as many of my fellow service members have. Unfortunately, individuals currently serving, transitioning, and veterans face these same thoughts daily, often without anyone knowing or seeing the signs.  Such experiences led to the need to reidentify myself. I had no idea I was suffering from an identity crisis.
 
 At the beginning of my transition, I felt like I was on vacation, finally free. But, shortly after that, suicidal thoughts becomes more intense and frequent. I was lost in the monotonous activities of the day, worried about what tomorrow looked like, grieving the loss of a career I began to realize I would miss. My world was falling apart, and I found no preparation helpful. The resources, resume, budget plan, and everything else obtained through the transition readiness program were useless. The vacation quickly ended and I was deep in the dark place, no signs of hope.

Why it works

Have you ever pursued something, whether education, drugs, alcohol, people, careers, or something else, that left you feeling empty inside? I would venture to say almost every person has searched for comfort in things and could not find relief. I know I must be a “bad” Christian to profess that I am tired, depressed, and anxious at times. Deciding to carry your cross daily, follow Jesus, and be unlike the world, is a burden. God never promises happiness here on earth. Being told, “You’re a Christian and shouldn’t feel this way,” does not solve the problem it leads to guilt, shame, or depression.

I began taking classes toward a Clinical Christian Counseling degree to have a career to step into once the transition process was complete. I took an APS Report, and the results shocked me. Not only were they accurate, but everything began to make sense. I now understood why I felt depleted, depressed, stressed, and overwhelmed. I then administered the test to my husband and children, which is when fundamental changes started to occur. I could now look at my family and see the very essence of their being, including the inner needs that motivated their behavior. Not only do I understand and have a new definition of myself, but my marriage and family have also been redefined.

Why WE DO IT

I knew I can’t be the only one feeling this way. How can I break the stigma of not talking about this? Nobody really cares when they sit you through those annual suicide trainings. They are a joke. Why are there so many people suffering when there are so many  “resources”? So I began to do some research. The first thing I did was create a survey for active duty and veterans, you can’t have a solution without understanding the problem. The results were shocking. A practical solution must address common problems individuals face, such as relationships, families and marriages. These are ALL vital pieces of our everyday life that are commonly ignored. The resources have to be personalized, and accessible immediately when you are headed to the place of despair. We need to proactive instead of reactive. 

So sitting in a garage, talking about life, mental health, my growth and spiritual journey, ORM was formed. The one source resource to assist service members, veterans and their families. We started to formulate the business plan, execution, vision, growth, etc. We wrote this proposal about ORM and submitted it in hopes of getting some initial funding. Guess what? We were denied. Virtual reality and “holographic solutions” were chosen for the funding. Another “resource” that will be “provided”.  That didn’t stop us AT ALL. What that proved is that we ARE different and that this could be bigger than we thought. (Meaning, First Responders in the future)

Overall, this program was developed by some Christians who believe the Bible when it states, “the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). That being said, we also believe that people should not be forced into “religion” or subjected to condemnation. We are all sinners. While I may believe Jesus is the answer to my problems, I recognize that not everyone has the same belief system, and that is okay!!

People deserve a faith-based program that incorporates love in every resource. People deserve personnel who value servitude and can incorporate that into their lives. People deserve a program who can help, regardless of your spiritual beliefs. 

The entire foundation of our organization is to love everyone, shine a light in the dark place, extend a hand, and help service members out of that dark place.