12 Veterans Share What They're Most Proud Of In Post-Combat Life

What she's most proud of: "I am most proud of my ability to heal from trauma. The most rewarding thing I get to witness is my brothers and sisters in arms doing the same."

What he's most proud of: "I'm most proud of being able to give back to my fellow warriors across the country. They gave me the strength after my injury to continue pushing forward. I travel the U.S. with my Wounded Warrior band, helping veterans transition to civilian life through music. It's now our mission [to help] reduce the number of veterans that commit suicide."

What he's most proud of: "I am most proud of the fact that, despite many setbacks in my life since returning from combat, I have survived! The PTSD, TBI, and physical wounds almost drove me to end my life, thus forsaking my wife and kids. With their love and support and the love and support shown to me by WWP, I have survived!"

What he's most proud of: "What I'm most proud of in post-combat life is overcoming the darkness, crawling out of the rabbit hole, and landing a beautiful wife to help me raise my amazing children. I'm proud of looking medical practice in the face when it told me I may never walk again and becoming the first paratriathlete to ever finish the Great Floridian Ultra Triathlon 140.6. I'm proud of the numerous warriors that I have been able to experience life with, to mentor, and see them grow into the amazing, positive people (fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives) that we always knew they could be!"

What she's most proud of: "I am most proud of the daily opportunity I receive to do better than just getting by with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and anxiety. As a wife, mother, and friend, each day in post-combat life is a chance to live and live well! I stand tall ... knowing that by faith I am doing my very best to overcome, live, and grow."

What he's most proud of: "I am most proud of learning to openly discuss my combat issues — not internalize them — which Wounded Warrior Project taught me to do immediately after my retirement. I was able to use those skills to help other combat veterans in their readjustment from combat and military life. I am honored to say I now help other veterans almost daily and lead others in a group setting monthly."

What he's most proud of: "Giving back and volunteering with the Wounded Warrior Project to help my fellow service members has been more rewarding than some of the other major milestones I have actually done in my life. To see the faces on warriors when they smile for the first time in years...you can't get payment for that, and it makes your volunteering worth every waking second."

What he's most proud of: "Being the best husband and Dad I can be. Coaching kids soccer, flag football, and T-ball, which has allowed me to teach principles I learned in the Army such as respect for your teammates, good sportsmanship, helping your teammates if they are having a tough game, and being encouraging to your teammates."

What he's most proud of: "What I am most proud of in post-combat life is my strong work ethic. The road that led me away from the military life has led me to other career opportunities where my military background [served] as the backdrop for how I presented myself. I was willing to take the jobs no one wanted and able to thrive doing them."

What she's most proud of: "I am most proud of the progress that I have made in accepting the fact that it's okay to embrace and love the new Lisa."

What he's most proud of: "Graduating with three college degrees (culinary arts) and being able to cook for other veterans and their families. And being able to provide for my family and see my daughter and sons grow up."

What he's most proud of: "I’m most proud of the fact I can still serve a cause greater than [my]self. When I left the Army, I felt lost, like I didn’t have any purpose in life. Now, I’ve been given the opportunity to serve my brothers and sisters as they transition from the military."