Freelance Corporal

Today is the first time the Heart and Armor Foundation For Veterans Health received a major spotlight on our work from a national media outlet. Check out the story from CBS Mornings that featured our founding story with John Mayer, our mission to find treatments to veteran mental health, and our work to bring veterans together in community. This is an exciting moment for us, not because we were on national TV, but because of what the spotlight can mean for veterans, for science, and for mental health. I hope this story helps destigmatize. I hope this story leads to more supporters of this work. I hope this story leads (in some small way) to more scientific breakthroughs. Thank you Robin Singer Jamie Yuccas Marisa Giller Joshua Steinberger LeJon Butler Bob Obana Sabra Inslicht Tom Neylan James Schwab Shira Maguen Katie Miller Spencer McGuire Brandon Phelps AUNDRAY ROGERS @Johnmayer @Larry S Anna Loynes for making this all happen.

Can't help but respect Driver for hitting them with the lance corporal don't know: https://trib.al/YCDsjR4

#OTD in 1952, Staff Sgt. Reckless entered service with the Marine Corps during the Korean War. In the fall of 1952, elements of the 1st Marine Division sat atop several hills close to the 38th Parallel, holding back Chinese Communist forces. The hills were so steep no vehicles could help the Marines move supplies up and wounded down. In search of assistance, 1st Lt. Eric Pederson requested and received permission to purchase a horse to help with resupply needs. For $250, Pederson was able to purchase a racehorse from a young boy at a horse racetrack in Seoul. Upon arrival at the front lines the Marines put the horse, named Ah Chim Hai, through a shortened “hoof” camp. The training ensured Ah Chim Hai could avoid barbed wire, take cover during combat, move around unaided by a handler and run communication cables from various points on the battlefield. Ah Chim Hai quickly gained the respect of the Marines, who renamed her Reckless, the slang name given to the 75mm recoilless rifle the unit used. Reckless became so efficient at assisting the Marines that Chinese forces would attempt to neutralize her on more than one occasion. The Marines responded in kind, utilizing their well-stocked reserves of ammunition that Reckless provided to them. For her actions at the Battle of Outpost Vegas, Reckless was promoted to Corporal. Reckless would eventually be transported back to the United States and be promoted to Sergeant and then again to Staff Sergeant by Commandant of the Marine Corps, General Randolph Pate. Reckless would spend her years after the war in Camp Pendleton and was retired from active service on 10 November 1960. She was provided free quarters and feed in lieu of retirement pay until her death in May 1968. Some of Reckless’ awards include two Purple Hearts, two Presidential Unit Citations, a Navy Unit Commendation, a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and the French Fourragère for service with the 5th Marine Regiment. In 2013, a monument was unveiled at the National Museum of the Marine Corps to honor SSgt Reckless’ service to the country, with an additional monument unveiled in 2016 at Camp Pendleton. Reckless’ journey of becoming one of the few animals to hold an official rank in the US Marine Corps started 71 years ago, today. #Marines #USMC