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Silkies
01-11-2015, 15:29
Hi everyone,

I am new here on White Blaze and I want to say thank you to the people who put the work in to make this site. So here is the deal, I will be retiring from the Marine Corps at the end of this year and I am planing to thru-hike with my service dog to bring awareness to disabled vets and raise money so another vet may get a service dog of there own. So are there any Vets out there planing on hiking the trail next year. If so hit me up, I would like to get to know some people before I start the trail. SEMPER FI.

Silkies

Cosmo
01-11-2015, 15:49
Hi Silkies, congrats on your retirement, and thank you for your service. Check out warriorhike.org Some pretty impressive folks on last year's hikes.

Cosmo

samb.
01-11-2015, 15:58
I will be, planning on starting Mid March. With 3/2 right now, EAS in NOV this year.

Silkies
01-11-2015, 16:11
Thank you, I will check it out. Look forward to seeing you out there.

Silkies
01-11-2015, 16:14
Samb,

Sounds good and I look forward to getting to know you all on the trail. SEMPER FI

Unitic
01-11-2015, 22:45
Are you familiar with Warrior Hike (http://warriorhike.org/)? I met several of their hikers in 2013. Sure they will have a large group n 2016.

Silkies
01-12-2015, 01:37
Thank you, I am looking into now.

The Rooster
01-12-2015, 13:34
I'm a former Marine who is also planning to hike either next year or 2017. I am concerned however about the service dog not be allowed on certain parts of the trail, principally in North Carolina. Have you got the clearance to take your dog through that area?


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Silkies
01-12-2015, 19:48
I was concerned as well, However i contacted the ATC and they told me that I could take my dog on the trail the entire way as long as it was a service dog and registered. You should not have any issues. I hope to see you out there.

The Rooster
01-12-2015, 23:50
Thanks. I will be there!


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Wiki
01-13-2015, 13:39
Fellow vet here. Out in Afghanistan now, planning on finishing up my degree when I get home and hitting the trail in 2016.

swjohnsey
01-13-2015, 15:51
What kind of disabilities do y'all have that require service dogs?

Retired Army

Ken.davidson
01-18-2015, 20:56
Wiki, I hiked with some Wounded Warriors in 2013 that had service dogs to assist them with PTSD. I am sure the service dogs can assist with many other challenges. Thanks for your service.


Thanks,
Ken

Ken.davidson
01-18-2015, 21:00
Should have said swjohnsey.


Thanks,
Ken

Roni714
05-09-2015, 03:34
Hi Silkies,
I will be on the trail around 15 May (flip-flop from Front Royal or Harpers Ferry). I would be interested in supporting your cause with my hike somehow. Send me a private message if you think it's a possibility.

Congratulations on on your retirement! I'm stationed in Denver with the Navy. Hiking the Rockies and hoping to get a few backpacking trips in this summer!

Thanks for what you're doing!
Veronica

Damn Yankee
05-09-2015, 08:13
Retired Army and applied once again to Warrior Hike and will hopefully get chosen for 2016. I also have a Service Dog. Good luck with your plans.

bemental
05-09-2015, 10:22
I'm totally wearing a pair of silkies RIGHT NOW.

Love to chat with you, I was medically retired this March, made an attempt at a thru and got about 3 weeks in before the VA and all sorts of other medical and life appointments got in the way.

I'll be returning to the trail with my service dog in June, picking up further up the trail to do a flippity flop instead of starting where I left off as a means to stay closer to some trail support and to avoid any hiker bubbles (another reason I had to get off the trail, WAY too many people for me - I started in March for my first attempt).

Either way, I'd love to share with you what I learned, maybe give you a few tips for the trail and even help you with the retirement process since I'm so fresh through it.

I just retired out of the wounded warrior battalion at Camp Lejeune.


Semper.

Jordan's Dad
05-09-2015, 18:22
Navy vet here, submarines. Planning to start my thru 12 March 2016, nobo from Springer. Hope to see you out there.

samb.
05-10-2015, 00:09
I'm totally wearing a pair of silkies RIGHT NOW.



Silkies for life.

I am still planning a mid to late march start. Just gotta do my shake down hikes this fall when I EAS to see how my gear works and finish saving up a bit more.

JumpMaster Blaster
05-10-2015, 09:44
US Army, going to retire next May. May or may not attempt a thru next year, but will definitely be on the trail regardless. Hope to see you out there!

Forester Gump
01-17-2016, 11:23
Silkies,
I retired from the Marine Corps in 2008. I am heading north from Springer in early to mid-March depending on how the weather is here in Northern Michigan - can't leave my wife until the winter starts to break up. Hope to see you on the trail.
Semper fi,
Forester Gump

sfdoc
01-17-2016, 12:26
US Army Special Forces, retired. Starting AT Thru 1st week in April. See you on the trail.

Nukids2
01-20-2016, 05:18
Retired US Coast Guard with start date 20 March 2016, NOBO from Springer Mountain with trail name, Hobbler. Good luck to everyone and can't wait to meet all of you.

dbp05ret
01-20-2016, 11:21
Semper FI! YATYAS. Going in 2017!

capehiker
01-21-2016, 00:21
Retired US Coast Guard with start date 20 March 2016, NOBO from Springer Mountain with trail name, Hobbler. Good luck to everyone and can't wait to meet all of you.

I'm retired CG as well (2014) starting May 15 NoBo.

bugeyemonster
02-02-2016, 07:21
Army vet. starting my hike in first week of March. No service dog though :(

Dugout
02-02-2016, 08:06
Navy vet starting on March 8th. Was going to do my thru hike in 96' when I got out, but things didn't work out. Here I am 20 years later and ready to go. Better late than never! Hope to see you folks out there!

ajcajonel
02-02-2016, 08:07
Hi Silkies -

Congrats on your retirement! I've only done a few years in uniform myself (8 is plenty), but I'm out on 1 May and rearing to start my hike. I'm hiking to work the Army toxins out of my system and reconnect with America - haven't spent more than 10 days there since September 2012.

Perhaps I'll see you on the trail... starting in Harper's Ferry and going north, then flip flopping to make it down to Springer - gotta drop off some Snickers bars in the woods for my boys in Dahlonega.

Jay

ajcajonel
02-02-2016, 08:08
You're in Riga? I know a few people up there... what brings you that way?

Notsurejoe
02-05-2016, 11:33
Hi everyone,

I am new here on White Blaze and I want to say thank you to the people who put the work in to make this site. So here is the deal, I will be retiring from the Marine Corps at the end of this year and I am planing to thru-hike with my service dog to bring awareness to disabled vets and raise money so another vet may get a service dog of there own. So are there any Vets out there planing on hiking the trail next year. If so hit me up, I would like to get to know some people before I start the trail. SEMPER FI.

Silkies

I will be starting Nobo March 25th, I'm a disabled combat vet ( SeaBee) its been a few years since the injury so I'm going to walk till I fall or finish. Hope to see you out on the trail and If I see ya Ill donate some funds and share some stories.
Semper Fortis

bemental
02-05-2016, 12:47
I will be starting Nobo March 25th, I'm a disabled combat vet ( SeaBee) its been a few years since the injury so I'm going to walk till I fall or finish. Hope to see you out on the trail and If I see ya Ill donate some funds and share some stories.
Semper Fortis

March 1st for me, disabled combat vet as well. Probably won't see you out there but I wish you the very best!

Just remember it's about the journey, so take it at a pace you can maintain.

Notsurejoe
02-06-2016, 15:48
Just remember it's about the journey, so take it at a pace you can maintain.

Oh for sure! I'm in no rush, I plan on taking 6months ;)

Steve The Hiker
02-06-2016, 18:49
US Army medically retired combat vet. March 10th from Springer. Can't wait to hit the trail and get some clarity in my life. Hope to see some of my brothers out there!

samb.
02-06-2016, 23:55
I am still anticipating leaving the weekend of March 18th. Hopefully on the 18th to get a day ahead of the weekend crowd, we will see how the weather goes.

Forester Gump
02-07-2016, 10:08
Update, I am heading north from Springer on March 10th. Forester Gump

bugeyemonster
02-13-2016, 11:46
You're in Riga? I know a few people up there... what brings you that way?

I moved to Riga because I was divorced and retired and tired of living in the US and wanted some thing new.

dennymro
02-13-2016, 13:21
Silkies...I'm retired Air Force as of 2 years ago. Been preparing for and planning a flip-flop hike starting late July 2016 at Harpers Ferry going south. I'll be looking for you out there on the trail as well as any other vets.

Best to you on your journey!

Denny
"Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better." --Albert Einstein

capehiker
02-13-2016, 14:03
Silkies hasn't been on since June of 2015.

walkingwithtippytoes
02-21-2016, 16:46
Retired homeless Navy vet. See you up the trail! Trail name: Tippytoes...Heading out March 16ish, NOBO.

Helopilot
02-21-2016, 19:02
Retired Air Force. Starting NOBO from Springer on 3 March. See you on the trail.

jenningka
02-21-2016, 20:53
Air Force EOD vet here. I'll be starting out at the tail end of March. See y'all on the trail!

namaste7
02-24-2016, 22:25
Navy medically retired hitting the trail 2 March To finish my flip flop. Started last July in Maine. Happy trails to all the Vets.

atstudy16
02-25-2016, 16:28
Hi, I'm part of a research project that is looking to measure the changes the body goes through when thru-hiking the AT. Things such as muscular strength and endurance, body composition, etc.

We will be testing in Hot Springs, NC early May and would love to meet all of ya'll 2016 thru-hikers if you're around our area! I have posted the flyer below if you are interested in knowing more!

E-mail at [email protected]

33812

Coastiebob
03-05-2016, 02:26
I'm retired CG as well (2014) starting May 15 NoBo.

Hey all, Retired Coastie (2014) as well. I am headed NOBO around April 20. Hope to run into you guys at some point. Happy injury free hiking to all.

j.d.will
03-16-2016, 22:48
Medically Retired back in 2012 (Army) and head out mid July. Looking forward to seeing some fellow vets out on the trail. Good luck to everyone.

Balido
03-17-2016, 08:43
Retired Army Combat Vet, SOBO, 2 June 16

Smoky Spoon
03-17-2016, 13:06
Army here, retired also heading out in a few weeks for my hike. Hope to see you out there.
Congrats on your retirement. Love it myself.






Hi everyone,

I am new here on White Blaze and I want to say thank you to the people who put the work in to make this site. So here is the deal, I will be retiring from the Marine Corps at the end of this year and I am planing to thru-hike with my service dog to bring awareness to disabled vets and raise money so another vet may get a service dog of there own. So are there any Vets out there planing on hiking the trail next year. If so hit me up, I would like to get to know some people before I start the trail. SEMPER FI.

Silkies

rainydaykid
03-17-2016, 16:53
US Army combat medic, medical discharge, starting my thru on April 15th or so, did one in 2010.