Operation Healing Forces is committed to empowering and uplifting the Special Operations Community
Strengthening Bonds, Empowering resilience
Mission
Their Lives Are Our Mission
Operation Healing Forces’ mission is to serve the needs of America’s wounded, ill, injured, and fallen Special Operations Forces Service Members, Veterans, their Families, Caregivers, and Survivors through a suite of programs that promote long-term mental, physical, emotional, and fiscal well-being.
Vision
Creating Bonds That Cure
Our vision is that all members of the Special Operations Forces community are able to enhance their resilience, empower their rehabilitation, embrace their reintegration, and lead fulfilling and productive lives.
Our Guiding Principles
REintegration
OHF's retreat programs help SOF Couples reconnect and heal together.
- Intrapersonal Healing
- Peer Support
- Reconnection
- Renewed Purpose
REHABILITATION
The impacts of war can extend beyond the physical wounds of the Service Member.
- Connect to Care & Resources
- Promote Wellness
- Restorative Recreation
- Family-Centered Care
RESILIENCE
OHF's programs have been shown to save marriages and increase health and resiliency among participants.
- Couple & Peer Connection
- Building Positive Memories
- Access to Information & Resources
- Healing from Trauma
What Sets
OHF Apart
- Board covers all overhead and administrative costs
- Help arrives fast—most within 24–48 hours
- Led by SOF Veterans and Spouses who understand the need
This is support by the SOF community, for the SOF community.
Tailored Support for Those Who Have Given Their All
Therapeutic Retreats
We host two distinct retreat programs: one for couples to reconnect and bond, and a separate one for SOF Caregivers to find renewal and a sense of community.
SUPPORT PrOGRAMS
The Special Operations Additional Resource (SOAR) programs provide year-round crisis response, wellness, and other supportive resources.
The Hidden Burdens of SOF Families
SOF face more frequent, intense deployments as global demand rises.
Many deploy despite serious injuries, illnesses, and even cancer.
PTSD, TBI, and musculoskeletal injuries are widespread in SOF.
Divorce, depression, and suicide are significant concerns within the SOF community.
Emerging data suggests cancer rates may be higher among SOF than the general population.
Lives Touched. Bonds Rebuilt.
Retreats
Family Members Served Annually
in Immediate Needs Assistance
Immediate Needs Recipient
“As we navigated the emotional and physical demands of my heart transplant surgery at Duke University Hospital, your team stepped in with compassion and generosity that made a profound difference. The adaptive equipment you provided will help ease daily burdens, and the financial assistance you extended brought much-needed relief during a time of uncertainty.”
Veteran Gabe Huerta
Retreat Participant
“I think it’s safe to say that a retreat allowing time to reconnect also brings light to imperfections and the areas we can work on. It was really beautiful how the couples banded together to help strengthen those in need.”
Ryan and Nicole Blakeslee
Retreat Participant
“The opportunity to bond with other spouses who understand the unique demands of Special Operations was invaluable. Morgan and I both felt seen, supported, and uplifted.”
Paul and Morgan DuClos
SOAR Program Recipient
“Thanks to your support, I now have mobility I thought was lost forever. For the first time in years, I can run and play with my 7-year old son. He has never seen me move without pain. The moment I could chase him without hesitation or profound pain was overwhelming. You did not just help me walk again; you gave me the ability to be the father my son deserves.”
L. Jeff Gantt, MSgt
Retreat Participant
“To see my husband be a part of something he has missed so much. Retirement has been hard on him and he has struggled to find friendships that understand what our life has been like while in the military.”
Comments from SOF couples retreats
Our Origin:
A Mission Born from Kindness
Operation Healing Forces was founded in 2011 by Gary and Denise Markel with a mission to strengthen and restore the relationships of wounded, ill, and injured Special Operations Forces and their Partners. What began as a personal effort to give back to the SOF community quickly grew into a national nonprofit offering transformative retreats and life saving support.
OHF started with one man’s act of kindness—and it continues because of yours.
