Kory served in the US Air Force for 10 years. His service included 3 combat missions:
2 in Iraq and 1 in Afghanistan, before returning to civilian life.
“War changes you. It’s hard to fit into civilian life when you get out of the military.”
Kory received his honorable discharge as a 100% disabled veteran, and like many other
veterans, he struggled with PTSD, depression, & addiction.
He said he did what many others in his situation do. He tried unsuccessfully to manage
his condition by self-medicating. Kory soon knew he had to ask for help.
He found that help at Springboard, an addiction treatment center in Midland, and began
his journey to recovery and healing his mind, body, and spirit.
During his time in the treatment program, Kory realized that he had a passion to help
other veterans who suffer from PTSD and addiction. Successfully having completed the
program, he was ready to start his new life journey. Kory said he knew that he wanted
to work at Springboard, and he would have to go to college to get the education and
credentials that he needed. In the meantime, he served as a volunteer at the center,
and he was also hired as a full-time employee.
Kory began classes for his associate degree in substance abuse counseling at Odessa
College, and he said his educational journey has been a life-changing experience.
“OC has given me a whole new perspective on life. Everyone here is so welcoming, and
they meet you where you are. My instructors have been so supportive and helpful. Now
that I have completed my associate degree, I am going to transfer to the University
of Texas at Arlington to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.”
“I want to continue my education so that I can help others who struggle like I have
struggled with PTSD and addiction. I want to also go back overseas and help those
veterans who experience PTSD. I want to give to others what I have found and accomplished,
and help them to succeed too.”
Kory would tell others, “Don’t give up, keep asking for help, and take one small step
at a time.”