Life in the military is challenging, but sometimes the hardest mission can be coming home. Many veterans fear leaving behind the brotherhood and camaraderie of shared combat experience. Some veterans may also be coping with issues like post-traumatic stress disorder, brain injury or a physical trauma of some kind. Community Rowing, Inc. launched a program in 2010 to help veterans navigate the choppy waters of life after service. This military rowing community was the first in the nation, and it was designed to unite veterans in a common activity and provide them with a community of support.
Marizia Lopez, the program's military outreach coordinator, told Row2K, "One of the more important parts of the program is forming that team bond, and striving together in the boat and supporting each other as that team. The rowing is kind of secondary."
CRI provides the equipment, facilities and training to veterans and their families at no cost. It teaches them to work together in an unfamiliar environment to overcome the challenges, both physical and mental, that may be holding them back from success. These skills can be applied to the veterans' daily lives as they transition to civilian life. CRI's program has inspired many other veterans' rowing programs across the country.