Many combat veterans struggle with their return to civilian life after service. In fact, the Department of Veterans Affairs stated that around 11 to 20 percent of veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder. However, former U.S. Marine Tank Commander Sean Gobin may have found a solution. Gobin's own combat experience was difficult, and upon his departure from the military in 2012, he found it hard to process everything he had gone through. In hopes of clearing his head, Gobin and another military friend decided to hike the Appalachian Trail and raise money for disabled veterans along the way.
The pair hiked the 2,168-mile trail for eight hours a day, and Gobin said the challenging experience gave him time to work through his military experience. He decided to share this healing process with other combat veterans when he founded Warrior Hike. The nonprofit supplies returned military personnel with the supplies and equipment needed for hikes ranging from two to six months all across the country. Gobin told CNN that "hiking is like a reset button. It helps you become a civilian again." Thus far, Gobin and his nonprofit have helped over 70 veterans, and it is their hope that these numbers continue to grow.