17 Is 17 Too Many: How Ruck Up and Recover Is Bridging the Gap in Veteran Suicide Prevention

Every single day, an average of 17 veterans in the United States take their own lives.

That number isn’t just tragic—it’s unacceptable.

These aren’t just statistics. They’re people who once raised their hands and swore to serve. They're warriors, leaders, teammates, parents, and friends. After returning home, too many are left fighting a war within—one that’s invisible, exhausting, and too often, fatal.

Seventeen is 17 too many. That’s why Ruck Up and Recover exists: to help close the gap between struggling veterans and the hope, healing, and support they deserve.

A Hidden Battle

For many veterans and service members, coming home doesn't mean the battle is over. Transitioning back into civilian life can bring isolation, confusion, and unresolved trauma. PTSD, depression, anxiety, and feelings of hopelessness often go untreated—especially when the system feels too overwhelming to navigate.

That’s the dangerous gap we’re fighting to bridge.

What We Do at Ruck Up and Recover

Ruck Up and Recover is committed to bringing veterans out of isolation and back into community, connection, and purpose—before it’s too late.

Right now, we offer two core services:

1. Free, 5-Day Healing Retreats

Our retreats are fully funded and built specifically for veterans and active service members. For five days, participants step away from the daily grind and into a safe, supportive environment where healing begins.

Through guided reflection, peer support, outdoor activities, and wellness-focused programming, these retreats create space to rest, process, and reconnect—with others and with themselves.

Veterans leave with more than just a break—they leave with tools, camaraderie, and a renewed sense of purpose.

2. Benefits and Claims Support

We know how complicated—and frustrating—it can be to deal with the VA system. That’s why we help veterans get started with the claims process, access the benefits they’ve earned, and navigate paperwork that often feels like a barrier instead of a lifeline.

Whether it’s starting a disability claim, getting enrolled in healthcare, or figuring out what benefits are available, we’re here to walk with you through the process.

Meeting Veterans Where They Are

At Ruck Up and Recover, we don’t pretend to have all the answers—but we do know one thing: no one should have to fight alone.

We’re not here to fix you. We’re here to ruck up—to take that first step with you toward healing—and to help you recover with dignity, support, and community. Because that 17 doesn’t need to stay a statistic.

A Future with Fewer Empty Chairs

The dream for the future includes more: community events, ruck marches, peer mentoring programs, and a wider support network for every veteran who needs it. But for now, we’re focused on the most powerful thing we can offer—presence.

We show up. We listen. We care. And we remind every veteran who walks through our doors: you are not alone, and you are not broken.

How You Can Help

• Spread the Word: Share our mission and let veterans in your life know there’s a place they can turn.

• Support the Mission: Donations help us fund more retreats and expand our services to reach more veterans.

• Be There: If you know a veteran who’s struggling, reach out. A call, a conversation, a moment of connection—those things save lives.

17 Is 17 Too Many

Veteran suicide isn’t just a statistic. It’s a call to action.

At Ruck Up and Recover, we’re answering that call—one retreat, one claim, one veteran at a time. Because behind every number is a life worth saving.

Let’s bridge the gap. Let’s ruck up. Let’s recover—together.