FORCE BLUE

FORCE BLUE retrains former Navy SEALs, Green Berets and other Special Operations veterans as scientific divers, deploying them alongside marine biologists to restore coral reefs, remove invasive species and survey damaged ecosystems. The nonprofit was founded to give veterans struggling with PTSD and loss of purpose a new mission tied to ocean conservation, pairing dive work with peer support and on-site mental health professionals. Its 40-plus veteran contingent now rotates through roughly 20 conservation deployments a year, including a multi-year 'Tour of Duty' spanning all 18 U.S. National Marine Sanctuaries.