22 Mike
Our Story
22's Militia is a community of Veterans created by Veterans that strives to be the leading advocate and resource for all Veterans in pursuit of a higher quality of life. We know that 22 Veterans succeed at suicide every day This is a dark and devastating truth. Our primary goal is to combat this statistic by creating an environment for Veterans to rally together. We represent a rallying of Veterans in the hopes of creating an atmosphere where we can relax and be open with each other about our lives, our struggles and successes.
WE GOT YOUR SIX!
In 2017, Brenden "Doc" Alfheim and Dariel "D" Slaveri were struggling with their Mental Health and separation from the Military. They started 22 Mike with the idea of creating a place where Veterans could support one another and experience camaraderie like they had while they served. They believe the best support a Veteran can get, is from another Veteran who can relate to their experiences. What started as a small social group who would meet, hang out and chat, has now grown into a 5012(c)3 non-profit with goals to reach every current, and future, Veteran by providing a place for friendship, understanding, healing and trust. We believed from the beginning, and still believe, that this is how we win the battle against mental health stigmas and PTSD. We combat the Veteran suicide epidemic daily and hope to one day have the 22 a day fact be nonexistent.
Brenden "Doc" Alfheim
Brenden is a US Army Veteran that served as a Combat Medic from 2006-2011. He was a member of the 173rd Airborne Infantry and spent 27 months in Afghanistan serving his country. He graduated from Fresno State in 2016 with a degree in Kinesiology. After collie, he went on to start 22's Mike (22's Militia) with Dariel in 2017. Both of them were struggling with mental health and their separation from the Military. They started a small social group that has since grown into 22's Mike. Brenden is our Board President.
Eric Adams
Eric was born and raised in Madera and joined the Marines in December 1994. He was an armorer with VMFA(AW)-121 Green Knights F/A 18D Hornets. He was stationed in El Toro, CA, Camp Pendleton, CA and Miramar, CA. Eric was deployed to Japan, Thailand, Australia and Wake Island. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal/E-4 in 1998.
Eric joined 22 Mike (22's Militia) in 2016. 22's Mike made him feel welcome, despite the fact that he wasn't a combat Veteran. Eric is now the Vice President of our board.
Jason Dunbar
Jason is a USMC Veteran who served from 2008 to 2012. He was a Corporal (E4). He spent most of his time in Okinawa, Japan, Yuma, AZ and Miramar, CA. He was a Terminal Area Security Officer and legal inspector. Since leaving the military, Jason has worked with Veterans as a Veteran Mentor at Fresno State and through the legal field with disability claims. He is currently a paralegal and notary public for a large law firm.
Jason has been part of 22 Mike (22's Militia) for about 9 years. He is a member of our board and looks forward to more Veterans having an organization like this that they can be part of.