Green Beret Foundation

This program provides 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. Examples include:

• Financial support for alternative treatments and therapies not covered by DOD or the 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.

This progrEnsures that Special Forces soldiers are prepared to transition from active-duty service to civilian life and have a trusted resource for navigating the VA. The Next Ridgeline 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:

• VA advocacy to review current military/personnel service medical records or post-service VA.
• 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 Accredited Veterans Service Officer (VSO) to file an original or updated VA disability
claim.

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:

• 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.

It is 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. 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.