What is The Mission Continues?

Who We Are 

The Mission Continues is the only national nonprofit challenging post-9/11 veterans to rebuild a sense of purpose through community service. Many veterans struggle to find purpose at home without the structure, mission and camaraderie of a military unit. The Mission Continues does not offer charity; rather, we challenge returning service members to utilize their tremendous skills and leadership to continue serving our country at home. Through service, veterans find renewed strength and purpose while building stronger communities. Our mission is fueled by a deep belief that our veterans are assets whose leadership is needed now more than ever here at home.

What We Do

The Mission Continues awards community service fellowships to post-9/11 veterans, empowering them to transform their own lives by serving others and directly impact their communities. Mission Continues Fellows serve for six months at a local nonprofit organization addressing key educational, environmental or social issues. Each Fellow works to achieve one of three outcomes at the conclusion of the fellowship: full-time employment, pursuit of higher education or a permanent role of service.

At the culmination of the fellowship, each Fellow will lead a service project in his/her community, bringing veterans and civilians together in days of service nationwide. These projects are bridging the military-civilian divide, allowing veterans to feel more connected to their communities and helping civilians gain a better understanding of and appreciation for our men and women in uniform.

“Don’t ask me what you can do for me… let me tell you what I can do for you.” --Josh Eckhoff, Mission Continues Fellow

History & Leadership

 The Mission Continues, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded in 2007 after CEO Eric Greitens returned home from service in Iraq as a Navy SEAL. Upon his return, Eric visited with wounded Marines at Bethesda Naval Hospital in Maryland. Without exception, each Marine expressed an unwavering desire to continue serving his country, even if he could no longer do so in the military. One young Marine even said this: “I lost my legs – that is all. I did not lose my desire to serve, or my pride in being an American.” Inspired, Eric used his own combat pay and two friends pitched in their military disability checks to found The Mission Continues.