Warriors of Camp Southern Ground

ROBERT ORTIZ

Robert is a U.S. Army veteran and Warrior PATHH alum from Puerto Rico. This is his story.

I grew up in the small town of Arroyo, Puerto Rico, nestled between the ocean and the mountains. In 1985 at age 24, I joined the U.S. Army and served for 24 years.

My most memorable period of service took place when I was assigned as an instructor and personally trained over 7,500 troops going to Operating Theaters in Iraq and Afghanistan in support of OIF and OEF. Many of those folks were my childhood friends, classmates, and playmates.

My transition was challenging. Leaving the military, where I was responsible for millions of dollars of equipment and many men, to just another “Joe on the Street” was a hard pill to swallow. Though I had PTSD and was plagued with uncertainty and struggle, I was not diagnosed until decades later. These circumstances lead to two divorces and numerous failed relationships between 1990-2018.

I was enrolled in college, so I secured a part time job. I continued pursuing my education and eventually found love again.
Having participated in numerous other programs, I can confidently say that Camp Southern Ground offers the best experience by far. Their program is well-structured, excellently delivered, and, thanks to the help I received, I am currently enjoying much better daily activities.

Warrior PATHH changed my life and outlook for the better – I highly recommend it to my peers!

As senior citizens, we do not get many “do-overs,” but this program has changed the course of my future. Thank you to Camp Southern Ground for showing us the pathway to a better life.