Team Red, White and Blue aims for veteran-community interaction

By Noelle WieheJune 16, 2015

usa image
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 17, 2015) -- Team Red, White and Blue has a mission: to connect veterans to their community through physical and social activity.

Through events like morning swims at Briant Wells Pool and lunchtime workouts in front of McGinnis-Wickam Hall to regional and national events drawing in members by the hundreds, Team RWB is fulfilling that mission.

"It's an awesome group; it helps veterans come together" said Yanira Wardlaw, a veteran and military spouse. "When you transition from being a Soldier, that's all you know - being part of a team. They inspire you to come out and workout, they support you in everything you do. You have a whole support group for veterans, what else do you need?"

Team RWB is a nonprofit veteran's organization open to active duty, reserve, National Guard, retired military, Family members and civilians seeking authentic interaction through physical and social activities, said Rich Williams, Columbus/Fort Benning chapter captain.

It is free to join and there are no membership fees or annual dues. Veterans and service members even receive a free Team RWB Nike T-shirt.

Army Maj. Mike Erwin, an instructor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, founded the organization. Today, he is responsible for the strategic direction of Team RWB.

Since its inception, Team RWB has grown from about 6,400 members in 2013 to more than 78,000 members today worldwide, Williams said.

Newcomers could find different activities or groups to suit their needs, from walking, running or biking groups to swimming and rock climbing, Wardlaw said.

"As a veteran, you already have a pretty solid mentality of trying to workout, but it's tough to do it by yourself," said Darryl Verrett, retired Army lieutenant colonel and contractor on Fort Benning. "It's always good to have a solid group that is dedicated to working out regularly to kind of motivate you."

Verrett said the runs are set to a conversational pace to allow for interaction between group members.

"We're all coming from some military relation, so we're getting to know each other and support each other," Verrett said.

The Maneuver Captains Career Course recently connected with Team RWB for a community outreach project, said Capt. Kevin Doherty, MCCC student.

Doherty was told the MCCC class had to do a service project so he contacted his friend, Garrett Cathcart, the Southeast Regional Director for Team RWB, who mentioned the community outreach programs the organization was connected with.

With support from Team RWB, the MCCC volunteered at the Veterans Empowerment Organization campus in Atlanta by performing duties at the thrift store and helping with the Three by Three project, which teaches veterans in need to grow "urban gardens" and help them get jobs.

"As my first experience participating in a volunteer organization like that, I definitely felt sense of fulfillment," said Capt. Lazaro Oliva Jr., MCCC small group leader.

It was evident camaraderie exists outside of the Army, which Oliva said made him gain such a respect for the organization and its mission.

"To know that hopefully one day when I may be in their shoes and I'm out (of the Army), somebody will be there," he said.

With captains from all over the world coming to Fort Benning for MCCC, Doherty said he found Team RWB to be a catalyst for connection between them and veterans in their new temporary home.

"When you think about it, what is the easiest way for someone that is struggling in a new city - it's to make a friend," Doherty said. "Who is better at making a friend or talking to a friend than someone who understands your situation?"

Doherty said the next MCCC class intends to link up with the local Columbus chapter for their next outreach program.

"That veteran who is just getting out and going to the city, now through this organization, can meet somebody who has already been in those shoes and kind of serve as a sponsor, someone who can guide him through the process," said Oliva. "That's what Red, White and Blue, I think, is all about."

Team RWB holds several different weekly events on Fort Benning or in the Columbus community.

To see these events and more, visit their Facebook page. To join Team RWB, visit www.teamrwb.org and click 'Join the Team.'