ABOUT VETERANS ON THE RIVER

Transitioning from a life of action to life in an office is difficult. Many veterans, like myself, need to take risks to find focus. I started VOTR to create an environment that provides organic opportunities for combat veterans to transition their minds before they transition their service.

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I can think back on about four to five times in my life where I needed a time-out, to think about a choice I was facing.  I learned emotional intelligence the hard way, through a few hasty decisions that were logical and emotionless that cost me something I was pursuing or loved.  I didn’t really understand the importance of reflection until I was about 40, and communication was just two people talking. Additionally, I completed a couple of transition programs for Veterans both as I exited the military the first time, after grad-school, and again at retirement but none really focused me, helped me feel comfortable in my skin and choices. 

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A few years ago, I took a “summer break” to go white water rafting and decided a few things were important:  I wanted to be disconnected, stay in a tent (comfortable though), and learn something I didn’t know how to do.  Turns out, it was exactly what I needed to be content with my 3rd job in 3 years after retiring from the Army AND helped me see that I could offer this to others.  I immediately shared with the owners of Independent White Water and a year later we are offering a similar experience with others.

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The structure and focus to guide in white-water requires disciplined teamwork, safety, and customer service, this allows us to take daily soft-skill and career development instruction and apply it on the water immediately in a “transitional” environment the service member is accustomed to. Not to mention a new live skill for the outdoors they can enjoy safely with family and friends.

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Jason Dickinson

President VOTR