Mike Campbell '81
After graduating from Wesleyan in 1981, Marshall “Mike” Campbell took an unconventional path and decided to enter the U.S. Naval Service, receiving his commission through Aviation Officer Candidate School. He served in four squadrons, deployed overseas six times to various theaters, and participated in operations in Iraq and Bosnia, before starting a second career in the financial services industry. Here, Campbell talks about how service has been a driving force in his life and details the path that took him from Wesleyan to one of his most passionate causes: the care, support, and mental health of our veteran population.
Throughout my life I have found the concept of “service” to others—to community, to our nation—to be a pillar of my life. It was a guiding principle through my 13 years of active duty, my seven years in the active reserve forces, and in my current second career in the financial services industry.
I was fortunate enough to be able to combine the various sectors of my service and my life when I was asked to lead the Blue Angels Foundation (BAF) from 2016 to 2023. The BAF is an all-volunteer board composed of former Blue Angels, the team of active-duty sailors and marines who showcase the power of naval aviation as representatives of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The BAF is dedicated to serving the wounded warrior community and our governing philosophy was to give back to the next generation of warriors when they return home from combat operations.
The statistics are compelling and they demand our support. Since 9/11, the United States has lost more than 7,000 men and women to combat; 52,000 were wounded. There have been 1,680 major limb amputations, and a staggering 500,000+ suffer from post-traumatic stress (PTS). A staggering 150,000 service members have died by suicide . . . a daily rate that has often exceeded 22 Americans. Our board viewed the suicide statistics as a national crisis, and we set out on a mission to save lives.
When service members transition from an “active duty injured” status to “retired disabled,” the BAF steps in to provide the wounded warrior with a “continuum of care”—transition housing, continuing education, networking for employment, and resolving post-traumatic stress. It has been shown that warriors who complete this continuum have a greater probability for a successful transition to civilian life.
The most difficult time for warriors—and for any of us—is transition. Individuals with mental wellness challenges are generally further challenged when they are in transition. Recall the positive transition from graduation to a new career: How will I do? Will I succeed? Now imagine returning home to the United States after a combat tour and being assigned to a hospital for rehab and then being told you are going to be retired disabled. You are “off the team,” no more uniform, your friends are no longer around you. Worse, you may be missing a limb or limbs, may be badly burned, blind, and you likely suffer from PTS. Self-esteem and confidence are at an all-time low. Who do you turn to? Where do you go for support? Without proper transition and support a vicious negative spiral can take place including unemployment, addiction, abuse, and possible suicide.
This critical juncture is where the BAF steps in. Our aim is to successfully reestablish self-confidence and self-esteem and lead the wounded warrior to opportunities through networking at events. Over time we share the importance of attending PTS programs. The BAF recognizes that we owe all that we can give to these warriors—men and women just like us. The difference is they chose to serve, to preserve our freedoms . . . and in so doing they were wounded. These people are our nation’s greatest treasure: smart, resilient, hardworking, courageous. As a grateful nation we owe them a positive transition so that they may enjoy their lives in the civilian sector.
Wesleyan provides all of us examples to serve our communities, our nation, and overseas. Thank you to those of you who were an example to me. Following you in service has simply been the highlight of my life.
