Finding Peace, Purpose, and Brotherhood in the Wild

By Sergeant Major Robert Moyer, USMC (Ret.)

I joined the Marine Corps in 1993 and served proudly for 30 years, retiring in 2023 as a Sergeant Major. Over the course of my career, I deployed multiple times, including two combat deployments to Iraq. Like many who’ve worn the uniform, I found myself looking for a new sense of purpose once I transitioned out of active duty.

That search led me to Hunts for the Brave, a nonprofit I connected with back in 2013 while stationed in Utah. They’re affiliated with Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife, and their mission is simple yet powerful: reconnect veterans and service members with the healing force of the outdoors—whether through hunting, fishing, or other outdoor adventures. I’ve been honored to volunteer with them ever since.

What I've witnessed during these events—especially our trips to Alaska—is hard to put into words. Many of the veterans who join us have never hunted or fished in remote wilderness. But once they get out there—in the silence of the mountains, the stillness of the woods, or the vast expanse of Alaskan waters—something changes. The peace they experience is profound. Many describe it as a form of spiritual healing. It's not therapy in the traditional sense—but it’s definitely therapeutic.

And then there’s the camaraderie. Whether you’ve served or not, there’s something about shared struggle, early mornings, and muddy boots that forges real bonds. Some of the friendships made on these trips have lasted over a decade.

"The guys put those boots to the test and came back with heavy fish and light spirits. The gratitude was real. ALTAMA didn’t just provide boots—they helped make a life-changing experience a little more comfortable, a lot more capable, and 100% more memorable."

When it came time to gear up for our Alaska fishing trip, I knew the weather would be unpredictable. Wet, cold, and rugged conditions demand footwear that can handle all of it. I’d worn ALTAMA® Maritime boots in the past and knew they were built for exactly this kind of environment. So when ALTAMA stepped in and donated Maritimes for the veterans joining us, it meant more than just free gear—it meant mission-ready support.

The guys put those boots to the test and came back with heavy fish and light spirits. The gratitude was real. ALTAMA didn’t just provide boots—they helped make a life-changing experience a little more comfortable, a lot more capable, and 100% more memorable.

From the bottom of my heart—and on behalf of the veterans we serve—thank you, ALTAMA, for walking this path with us.