After stepping away from the Navy in 1985 to pursue civilian life, Don soon realized that the challenges, camaraderie, and sense of purpose within the SEAL Teams were irreplaceable. He returned to the Naval Special Warfare Community in 1988, sharpening his skills at the Defense Language Institute for Spanish before joining SEAL Team FOUR. His deployments took him across the globe, including missions in the Persian Gulf and Panama, where he served with Naval Special Warfare Unit EIGHT.

“I am a United States Air Force Veteran. After my enlistment ended I was honorably discharged and continued my service as a military spouse to my husband who is a retired USAF Master Sergeant, Simon Garcia. After his retirement, he found mountain biking and joined a veteran non-profit right at its inception in 2018 called The Dirt Therapy Project (TDTP). We are now both Texas Chapter Leads & ambassadors for the program and volunteer to take veterans of all skill levels out bike-riding or hiking in the San Antonio area. I also volunteer at another veteran non-profit called Rustic Ranch. We go out to the ranch to lend a hand whether it's moving dirt, clearing land, or working the booth at their fundraiser. I also work as an assistant at an Acupuncture clinic while I finish the Texas Medical Board process to obtain my own Acupuncture license.” - Sandy Garcia

Today we want to share the story of our Founder and Chief Product Officer, Christian Meyers. He’s our Director of Media’s brother, close friend of our CEO and our Director of Communications, and an inspiration to everyone at Terra Arma.

He’s one of those people you can talk to for hours and you always learn something new in his presence. He’s also incredibly humble, so we’re honored to share his story to help you understand more about Terra Arma and our mission. 

Devin DeLucia's journey is a testament to the power of resilience, balance, and dedication. From his role as a firefighter and business professional to his dedication as a family man and athlete, Devin's story illuminates the importance of resilience in overcoming challenges, the need for effective time management, and the value of continuous growth. His experiences offer valuable insights into balancing multiple demanding roles and staying committed to personal and professional goals. In our first interview, Devin's transition into founding DeLucia Media, his expeditions, and his durability in the face of starting a business at a later age were central themes that continue to shape his ongoing journey. His ability to juggle these responsibilities while maintaining a focus on family demonstrates the profound impact of a supportive environment. Devin's journey underscores the critical role of persistence and adaptability in achieving long-term success. His story serves as a powerful reminder that growth and progress often come from navigating and overcoming life's toughest challenges.

“I was in the Air Force from 2000 - 2009 and served as an Air Transportation troop that managed and processed inbound and outbound heavy airlift cargo and passengers. I was fortunate to be part of a Contingency Response Group, which are rapid response tactical unit capable of establishing strategic airlift operations anywhere in the world. Any major airfield established during OEF/OIF was first opened by a CRG and I'm quite proud of our contributions. CRGs are also capable of supporting any other type of military airlift operation and I was fortunate to travel the world in support of other non-combat missions.”
- Jeremy Fernandez

We asked her advice for someone going through similar obstacles or challenges on their journey. "Know your 'why.' You will question yourself. You will doubt yourself. You will see other people appearing to be successful and wonder if you’re doing the right thing, pursuing something so far outside of the scope of what others consider normal. As long as you have your “why” to refer back to, you WILL overcome the obstacles and challenges you face. But if you don’t know why you’re pursuing your journey, you don’t have a reason to try to continue moving forward. Know your why."

"I would have to say that this journey with Project Athena has been the most life-altering experience since my son was born. This adventure and the incredible group of people were the therapy I never knew I needed. It gave me a purpose that I so needed. The 16-week training plan held me accountable and pushed me through mental and physical barriers. It lit a fire under me to do something wonderful for myself and step out of my shell. This experience allowed me to meet the most amazing people that I will be lifelong friends with." - Christy Edwards, 2023 Harbor to Cove.

We, as humans, are created to be connected and in relationship with one another. Post-service life can present unique challenges, including a loss of camaraderie, routine, purpose, and identity. The National Ranger Association focuses on cultivating and stewarding relationships to benefit our United States Army Rangers through collaboration with active duty members, civilians, industry, and veterans. They are committed to preserving the rich legacy of Rangers, safeguarding the present, and paving the way for future generations.

Growing older it was clear that being outside and engaged with military culture were two of the greatest influences in my life. My family would often let me wander the wooded area alone at age 6, exploring the environment from multiple lenses - one being that of wonder towards the diverse ecosystem while trying to understand how everything worked, and the other from this pseudo-tactical/ survival perspective, sneaking around and blending into the environment with the intent of becoming a commando, a survivalist, someone who could sustain themselves with what was provided. Fieldcraft has been a part of my life for the entirety of my existence.

In the vibrant landscape of Luke Ebeling's life, the rhythmic cadence of childhood adventures in Lakewood, CO, and the aspirational dream kindled by a neighbor's Ranger tales paint a vivid narrative. Luke's odyssey unfolds through the corridors of ROTC at Montana State, navigating later into the logistical landscapes of Ordinance—a unique military trajectory converging toward the esteemed 75th Ranger Regiment. At the zenith of his military saga stands the triumphant conquest over The Best Ranger Competition in 2023. Transitioning gracefully to the civilian realm, Luke's narrative finds roots for his next chapter of life at Google.

Self-Respect can hit in two different ways. One is through fitness. You have to take care of your body in order to thrive. If you just sit on the couch and eat potato chips then you will live a short unhappy life. Self-respect is treating your body like a temple and taking care of it to the best of your ability. The second way self-respect is important is mental health and asking for help. I’ve always played the game of admitting any of that is a weakness. After seeing so many of my peers find so much relief I finally found out how much seeking help and talking to people about it all can help. Without taking care of myself both physically and mentally there is no getting to the objective.

Today, nearly 200,000 of our American service members are deployed in more than 100 countries around the world. But our troops are not as equipped as we’d like to think. Many times, they need resources faster than the government can supply them. Red tape, supply chain issues, or equipment failures mean that our service members are sometimes in the field without the equipment they need to protect themselves or to do the job effectively. When our troops need operational gear, they don’t need it in a few weeks or months. They need it now. Troops Direct fills the gap to protect our service members by supplying them with the equipment they need— usually within days, anywhere around the world. Our troops sacrifice daily to protect us, sometimes at the cost of their own lives. It’s our duty to support them - to provide what they need to accomplish missions and come home safe and in one piece.