Sentinels of Freedom

Growing up in Costa Rica, Andres enlisted in the French Foreign Legion (FFL) at 21 years old. During his time with the FFL, he injured his back during a static line jump when his parachute failed. Over the next 4 months he spent recovering in the hospital, Andres was given an opportunity to look inward and reflect on the type of life he desired to have. From this moment he began to strive to be the best leader he could be and help make every organization he works with better.

Andres later enlisted in the U.S. Army and served 11 years and 9 months with the 3/75th Ranger Regiment. He made the decision to join the military to defend the country that had given him everything. Throughout his time in the service, he completed 4 deployments to Afghanistan. It was during a 2017 deployment when Andres experienced his greatest loss as his best friend died in his arms during a mission. Shortly after, Andres set future goals for himself to excel in education. He began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership as a way to improve his writing and comprehension of the English language. He graduated with his first degree in August 2021. This event stirred a desire to go further in his studies and complete his master’s degree in strategic leadership in May 2023, while also navigating the responsibilities of his squad leader position stateside and during deployment.

Andres learned about Sentinels of Freedom from the Care Coalition while he was determining what his next steps would be following his transition to civilian life. He applied and has been accepted for mentoring and networking support while he pursues his PhD in Executive Leadership from the University of Charleston. Andres was introduced to his mentor, Charles Storlie, who has helped him navigate the transition to civilian life and pursue job opportunities that will also support his PhD Studies. Sentinels of Freedom has also been able to assist Andres with a flight and hotel stay, in order to attend the in-person portion part of his studies at the University of Charleston.

Andres recently completed a training course and was hired by SOC, where he will be able to continue serving the United States in a new capacity while also completing his PhD studies. Sentinels of Freedom will continue to follow alongside him on his journey while providing mentoring, networking, and resources while he pursues his personal and educational goals.

Growing up in foster care and unsure where her future may lead, Mary Swanson joined the military at 17, serving as an ammunition and ground safety specialist. Throughout her eight years of service with the U.S. Marine Corps, she was stationed at several military installations. Early on in her military career, while stationed with the 2nd MLG 2nd Supply Battalion Ammunition Company, Mary was assigned a 6-month temporary assignment at the Field Ammunition Supply Point in 29 Palms, CA. In July 2011 her unit experienced a training incident that resulted in an ammunition explosion. The events of this day, including being witness to the traumatic injuries her best friend and fellow service members received, brought invisible wounds that Mary carries with her every day. Despite this experience, Mary went on to serve for six more years, ultimately becoming a platoon sergeant leading over 160 Marines.

Following her discharge from the Marine Corps, Mary sought higher education and completed her Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Southern Maine in 2020. While attending the University of the District of Columbia for her Juris Doctorate, Mary was introduced to Sentinel Britney Domine through the Warrior Scholar Project. Britney encouraged her to apply to the Sentinels of Freedom Bridge for Education program during her final year of law school. Mary was accepted for the Fall 2023 cohort for mentoring and networking support. As Mary progressed through her final year of studies, she participated in a housing clinic at Rising for Justice, assisting tenants who were facing addiction. This reinforced her desire to help others while they navigate the legal system.

As Mary approached graduation, the realization of being unemployed while studying for the BAR exam, all while needing to maintain her household expenses for herself and her two young children became a major stressor. Sentinels of Freedom stepped in to provide five months of housing assistance while she prepared for the BAR exam. After a challenging job search, Mary proudly accepted a position as a Law Clerk with the Virginia Indigent Defense Commission. Following the successful passing of the bar exam, Mary was promoted to an Assistant Public Defender and was officially sworn into the 20th Judicial Circuit of Virginia.

Looking to be a member of a high-performing team and an opportunity to seek out adventure and new experiences, Dan joined the U.S. Army as an officer serving for 6 ½ years with the 2/75th Ranger Regiment. Dan was injured during his third deployment to Afghanistan on November 24, 2018. While leading a special operations team, he was involved in an explosion that resulted in receiving a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The TBI has resulted in memory and concentration issues and severe migraines that interfere with daily activities. To aid in his recovery, Dan has leaned on friends, the VA, and organizations like Sentinels of Freedom to assist with the transition process and settle into civilian life.

Following his release from active duty, Dan knew the next step would be attending school to find meaningful employment. He applied and was accepted to Sentinels of Freedom in August 2021 while attending Columbia University for his MBA and working towards his goal of working in finance.

SoF connected Dan to other veterans in his immediate area and provided financial assistance to ease the burden of the high cost of living in New York City. The support from SoF allowed Dan to feel apart of a unit again which aided in his overall mental health. Dan completed an internship with Goldman Sachs and following graduation was offered a full-time position as an Investment Banking Associate.