Eric Roser

My name is Eric Roser; I enlisted in August 2008 at age 36. I served in the 4th Infantry Division, US Army. I was an Air Traffic Controller at Fort Hood, TX, and my birthplace, Fort Rucker, AL. However, I volunteered to be the security detail for the theater Rabbi in Afghanistan from June 2010 – July 2011. I received the Army Commendation Medal and the Good Conduct Medal before being discharged in May 2012. I am 100% combat disabled with PTSD and a back injury. After many hospitalizations and much work, I can finally start giving back to the community, so I volunteer with WWP, MVP, and Fort Worth ISD.

In my personal life, some accomplishments I'm proud of are: Eagle Scout, BA in Business Management from Stetson University, was the youngest Executive Director in the history of the Navy & Marine Corps Relief Society Worldwide when I ran the Key West Naval Air Station Branch, was owner & operator for Prestige Travel in Winter Haven, FL, was acting Finance Director of Huffines Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Plano. I've also been nominated for the Rusty Baggett Volunteer of the Year for The Wounded Warrior Project.

I come from a proud military family. I grew up mainly in the deep south with a few stints out west. We PCS'd 18 times before my High School graduation, so I've also lived in the mid-west and north. I attended high school in Southern California and Northern Virginia and college in Florida. My family has served for many generations, with my grandfather receiving three purple hearts in WWII, including one on Omaha Beach. My father was a highly decorated helicopter pilot in Southeast Asia who went on to pilot many types of large jets. He retired as a brigadier general after beginning as a security forces enlisted, quite a rare feat. My brother deployed both as an Air Force Security Forces Reservist and then again with the Army National Guard here in Texas. My wife spent her entire life in Northern California before meeting me. She is a UC Berkley graduate working full-time on her Masters in Education from UNT. She played competitive tennis until her mid 20's, getting recruited for MIT Tennis, among other prestigious programs. She played in tournaments across the country and in Europe as well.

When I first discovered MVP after being invited by my regional manager for WWP in Kansas City to attend the workout and movie screening at the Star in Frisco, I was hooked! My wife and I decided to join our local gym and change our eating habits. I am proud that after almost a year, we are still going 5-6 times a week and have noticeable results from our efforts. Seeing the hard work put in by the MVP Staff has helped motivate me to do more at MVP itself and do more with my volunteer Warrior Leader position with WWP. I do not speak in every huddle I attend, but I share as much as I am comfortable doing so. I am a big advocate for this group and have shared MVP throughout my networks.

What I look forward to at MVP sessions are the greetings with other members and new members before the session, which is my favorite individual part. Having people who both recognize me and are happy to see me is not something I get from anyone except my pack of dogs outside of MVP. Getting the opportunity to introduce the group and what we do to a new potential member is also a joy of mine. Being at the weekly sessions even in the face of barriers like the 90-minute drive or single-vehicle household problems, feels like a win to me. I always come away with a feeling that I have positively helped my mental well-being.

This journey to physical, spiritual, and mental wellness that I have been on is significantly impacted by seeing the progress of others on the same journey at the MVP sessions. I feel joy through sharing what we get to do at MVP with every veteran that I run across. Be it in a VA waiting room, or at my local gymnasium. The fact that MVP serves combat veterans from previous conflicts, such as Vietnam, and the Gulf War, allows me to help people from all eras. The connection I feel with our chapter athletes is a unique experience I only get through MVP. Listening to them share their struggles with physical injuries and mental well-being helps me feel less alone with my own struggles. That the same problems affect a community outside my own helps build a sense of unity and common purpose with my fellow man. The huddles where they share stand out for me as some of the more memorable ones.

I would absolutely recommend MVP to other veterans and athletes! Getting the word out to both communities is in everyone's best interest, and use my platform to bring in more members, but we can do more.