Monthly Veteran Resource Spotlight: Team Rubicon - Where Service Never Ends
- Jul 15
- 4 min read
Part 1 of our ongoing series highlighting valuable resources for Louisiana veterans and their families
When disaster strikes Louisiana—whether it's hurricanes battering our coastline, flooding in Baton Rouge, or wildfires threatening our communities—there's an organization ready to respond with a force that understands both crisis and service. Team Rubicon is a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises, uniting the valuable skills and experiences military veterans possess to provide relief when disasters strike.
A Mission Born from Purpose
Founded in January 2010 following the Haiti earthquake by U.S. Marines William McNulty and Jacob "Jake" Wood, Team Rubicon began when they led a medical team into Port-au-Prince just three days after the earthquake. What started as eight determined individuals has grown into an international force for good, but the core mission remains the same: solving two critical problems simultaneously.
Team Rubicon addresses inadequate disaster response—which is often slow to respond and has antiquated infrastructure—while also tackling inadequate veteran reintegration into civilian life. For Louisiana veterans, this dual purpose makes Team Rubicon uniquely valuable.
Louisiana Veterans: Your Skills Are Needed
The Team Rubicon Difference in Louisiana
Team Rubicon's volunteer members are 75 percent military veterans and 25 percent civilians, and they've already made a significant impact in Louisiana through operations like "Operation Geaux Big" in Baton Rouge, where 113 members deployed to aid in flood relief efforts.
The organization recognizes that Louisiana veterans possess exactly the skills needed for disaster response:
Leadership under pressure - Natural disasters create chaos that requires decisive action
Teamwork in challenging conditions - From Louisiana's humidity to post-storm debris, veterans know how to work effectively in tough environments
Problem-solving abilities - Each disaster site presents unique challenges requiring creative solutions
Mission-focused mentality - Veterans understand the importance of completing the job, no matter how difficult
Services That Matter to Louisiana Communities
Team Rubicon deploys on three types of operations—response, recovery, and mitigation—providing free services such as chainsaw operation, debris management, muck-and-guts, roof-tarping, and much more. For Louisiana families affected by disasters, these services can mean the difference between displacement and home.
What Louisiana Veterans Can Expect:
Professional training - Team Rubicon provides specialized training for disaster response operations
Deployment opportunities - Both local Louisiana operations and nationwide disaster response
Brotherhood and sisterhood - Many active veterans among Team Rubicon's ranks have expressed its positive impact on their own mental health
Continued service - A way to maintain that sense of mission and purpose that defines military service
Supporting Veteran Mental Health and Purpose
Team Rubicon's message is the same in both disaster response and veteran support situations: don't worry, you're not alone, we got this. For Louisiana veterans struggling with the transition to civilian life, Team Rubicon offers something invaluable—the opportunity to continue serving in a meaningful way.
The death of fellow Rubicon member Clay Hunt from suicide redoubled Team Rubicon's organizational mission towards veteran reintegration, with the team's role in domestic disasters being both to provide humanitarian assistance and to provide veterans an opportunity to continue to serve.
How Louisiana Veterans Can Get Involved
Ready to Join the Team?
The only prerequisite required for volunteering with Team Rubicon is a commitment to service. As a "Greyshirt," you will be responsible for providing immediate and impactful aid to communities affected by disaster.
Getting Started:
Visit their website: teamrubiconusa.org
Sign up online: Complete the volunteer application process
Attend training: Participate in regional training opportunities
Deploy when needed: Respond to disaster operations both locally and nationally
Contact Information:
Phone: 310-640-8787
Email: info@teamrubiconusa.org
Louisiana Resource: Listed with Volunteer Louisiana
The Numbers Tell the Story
As of October 2024, Team Rubicon has contributed over 200,000 volunteer hours, impacted 2.9 million individuals, and served over 700 communities nationwide. For Louisiana veterans, these numbers represent something more than statistics—they represent opportunities to make a real difference while finding renewed purpose in civilian life.
Beyond Disaster Response
While disaster response is Team Rubicon's primary mission, the organization offers Louisiana veterans:
Leadership development opportunities in disaster response operations
Professional networking with fellow veterans and emergency response professionals
Skills training that translates to civilian career opportunities
Mental health support through meaningful service and community connection
Your Next Mission Awaits
As Team Rubicon says, "Disasters are reckless and unabating, so our determination must rise above all excuses, obstacles, and chaos." For Louisiana veterans, this isn't just about disaster response—it's about finding a new way to serve that honors your military experience while making a tangible difference in your home state.
Whether you're a recent veteran transitioning to civilian life or someone who served decades ago and is looking for a way to give back, Team Rubicon offers Louisiana veterans a unique opportunity to continue their service in a way that truly matters.
Remember: Louisiana faces disasters regularly, from hurricanes to floods to severe weather. Your community needs your skills, your leadership, and your commitment to service. Team Rubicon is the bridge that connects your military experience to civilian impact.
This is part of our monthly series highlighting resources available to Louisiana veterans and their families. Have a resource you'd like us to feature? Contact us to share your suggestions for future spotlights.
Next Month: We'll be highlighting The Mission Continues, another powerful veteran service organization making a difference in Louisiana communities. Stay tuned for more ways to maximize the benefits you've earned through your service.
