Musket and spade: the meaning behind our BRAND

Posted on by Dauntless Veteran Foundation in Organizational Updates

Symbology is important for any group or association. It quickly gives an abstract depiction of what the group represents. For us, the symbology we use is simple – a crossed musket and spade. The two are crossed to represent how easily they are interchanged. Soldiering and farming have been intertwined for millennia since farmers from antiquity were also the first line of defense from an invading force.

We chose the musket in particular because it represents an era of change – it is the bridge from antiquity into the industrial era. It represents the power of continued service and our desire to fight for something bigger than ourselves — the reintegration of our service members back into civilian life. We also believe that this is a symbol of the burden to protect and defend that we all chose to carry. That journey started with military service and defense of our country and has morphed into the equally critical need to protect and defend our family and community through independence and self-reliance. We believe that farming is a great way to claim your power and focus it in a healthy and useful direction which is an excellent way to continue this tradition of service. 

The spade is one of the most recognized farming tools in the world because it has supported farmers and individuals working the land for ages.  For us, the spade symbolizes our commitment to working the land with honor and with sustainability in mind. We also believe that it represents the hard physical and mental work involved in farming your land and taking care of yourself, your family, and your community. Though the labor is both physically and mentally taxing it is worth the outcomes. The pride of ownership and personal power along with the positive mental health aspects all represent our beliefs that transitioning from the military to farming can be very helpful for both the person transitioning out and those people in their immediate family and community.

If the Musket & Spade resonate with you then please consider joining our cause or making a tax deductible contribution below:

Our mission: To train and equip veterans to translate their talents from the field to the farm

Posted on by Dauntless Veteran Foundation in Organizational Updates, Uncategorized

When you ask a Veteran what kind of training they have had, the answer can range by branch of service, career field, and operational experience. But what you hear during a conversation, interview, or read on a resume does not convey the memories associated with those experiences.

Each answer has one aspect of training in common; we all started in the same place. We all had wake-ups before the sun rose, marched everywhere, and spoke in reporting statements. We were challenged physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Why? So when we arrived at our first unit of assignment, we could be equipped by the subject matter experts and meld it all together. What made us Marines, Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coasties, and Guardians is what we want to refine and retrain back into the land. Whether you are retired, separated, or still serving in the Guard or Reserve, we want to harness your inherent talent. We want to equip you with access to the land and quality instruction to further your goals. There will be early wake ups, you will be challenged. But you have been through worse. No experience needed, just your raw talent and enthusiasm to learn.

Many veterans feel a connection to the land in some way for a multitude of reasons. This is reflective in where veterans choose to live – almost a quarter of the Veteran population resides in rural areas compared to 18.6 percent of the civilian population according to the Department of Veteran Affairs. The veteran community is primed for agriculture — by and large veterans know hard work, attention to detail, are handy with the trades, and can handle the stressors related to harvest and processing. Farming is not easy, but neither is military life — the two however have been intertwined for millennia, and it’s time to reunite them in America.

Agriculture is inclusive of cultivating soil to grow everything from grapes, vegetables, herbs and more. Connect with us to find out more about our conceptual programs and how we can help you get you from the field to the farm.

OUR response to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan

Posted on by Dauntless Veteran Foundation in Organizational Updates

As an organization supporting veterans we at Dauntless Veteran Foundation know that for all of us who served in Afghanistan or in support of wearing the cloth of our nation, the events of the last few weeks have been difficult to watch, and even more challenging to understand. We will continue to stand united and we want to reaffirm to each of you of something you already know, but something we want to further emphasize over this period of reflection.

Our veterans and military have and continue to serve with great honor, that every day they fight with great valor, and that every day they execute(d) their job in an unforgiving hostile environment, far from their families and home yet always acquitting themselves with the greatest of distinction, while seeking to make Afghanistan a safer and better place for the people we were protecting. It wasn’t easy, we lost brothers, sisters, loved ones who will never be forgotten.

We endured endless patrols, firefights, IED strikes and unforgiving weather, but never backed down. We answered the call every day without fail and did our jobs. No matter the stunning events of the past few weeks, nothing can diminish our selfless service to our nation, and the accomplishments achieved for the people of Afghanistan over the 2 decades.

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