Before transportation was widespread and available, military units would not return home from a campaign abroad for weeks after completion of their tasks. This gap of time was often used to process and recover from the trauma received from combat. In modern society, veterans are arriving home in as few as a couple days after combat completion. This may seem odd, and perhaps one may think returning home faster may be more helpful, but in fact veterans need all the time they can get to recover and process the events of war.

Since the United States has been involved in war in Iraq and Afghanistan, many veterans have either never transitioned or are slowly transitioning back into civilian life. The Department of Veteran Affairs estimates over 20% of US Veterans are returning home with PTSD.

In 2012, Marine Corps Veteran Sean Gobin hiked the AT after returning home from deployment and recognized the therapeutic elements of the trail and its potential to heal his fellow Veterans. Soon after his completion of the hike, Sean founded Warrior Expeditions.

Warrior Expeditions sponsors Veterans to be able to thru hike the AT by providing supplies and funds, leaving no cost to the Veteran. Hikers are supplied with top of the line gear, a monthly stipend of $300 for resupply along the way, and coordinates community support for rides, housing arrangements and anything else the Veteran may need along their hike.

                                                                                  Warrior Expeditioners.