Veterans Day at Summit Initiative

Richard Bartnick grew up in the small farm town of Polo, Illinois, and joined the U.S. Army in 2017 when he was just 19 years old. He has served for eight years as an 11C Infantryman and most recently as a Section Leader in 1-325 AIR. Richard is now stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, awaiting the start of the Special Forces Qualification Course.

Throughout his service, Richard says the most meaningful part has been the community and lifelong friendships it has brought into his life. “Still hearing from friends I served with seven years ago and sharing old memories is something I cherish and hold onto,” he shares.

Richard was first introduced to Summit Initiative before it even had a name. During a training exercise at Camp Roberts, California, Chaplain Kody Witt invited him to a Bible study. “Summit showed me what true support and community look like. When one person struggles, everyone shows up.”

Today, Richard is focused on fitness, faith, and preparing for the next chapter of his Army career. His message to other veterans is simple:

“Find a good community. If you are surrounded by people who listen, care, and walk with you, you will find strength. I have seen lives change through Summit, and it all begins with courage and welcoming arms.”

Carl Reynolds was born in West Virginia, raised in Kentucky, and now calls Texas home. He served sixteen years on active duty in the U.S. Army as an Electronic Warfare Specialist and Staff Sergeant. During his career, Carl deployed to Iraq three times in 2004, 2006, and 2010. His service took him around the world to stations in Germany, Georgia, Kentucky, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Washington.

When asked what still impacts him most, Carl simply says, “Lost time.” The sacrifices of service often come at a personal cost, but Carl continues to see purpose in every new day. “I am allowed to wake each morning, which shows me God has something for me,” he shares.

Carl first connected with Summit Initiative while serving as a Summit group leader in 2-3 Infantry at Fort Lewis, Washington. One memory that stands out is when a soldier in his group thanked him for helping through a difficult season. “That moment reminded me why community matters,” he says.

Today, Carl works as a supply associate for an aviation company and is pursuing his passion for flying. “I love aviation and hope to return to the skies one day,” he says. His encouragement to other veterans is simple:

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is just show up. Be present, spend time, and remind someone they are not alone.”

Albert Escobedo is a Texas native now living in San Antonio with his wife and kids. With more than sixteen years in the medical laboratory field, he brings his heart for healthcare, mentorship, and community into everything he does. These days, Albert balances family life, his work in the lab, and creative projects focused on storytelling, veteran outreach, and personal growth.

Albert served in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman, proudly working alongside the Marine Corps. His mission was to provide medical support, emergency care, and training to Marines in both garrison and field environments. “The moments that impact me most are those of brotherhood and sacrifice,” Albert reflects. “Being there for someone in their most vulnerable moment reminded me how much courage and compassion coexist in uniform.”

The transition out of military life came with challenges. “The hardest part was learning how to slow down,” he shares. “I struggled with feeling disconnected from the structure and camaraderie of the service. It took time, reflection, and faith to find balance and rebuild my identity as a father, husband, and civilian professional.”

Faith and community became the anchors that helped him rebuild. “My faith reminds me to serve others and stay grounded,” Albert says. “And my community—from my family to fellow veterans—has helped me heal, grow, and rediscover purpose.”

Albert first connected with Summit Initiative through its focus on community and storytelling. “I was drawn to Summit’s mission of connecting veterans through shared experiences and giving us a platform to encourage one another,” he explains. “It reminded me that vulnerability is strength—that sharing our stories isn’t weakness but a bridge for others who feel alone in their transition.”

Today, Albert leads a creative project called Valor Chronicles, where he combines gaming, humor, and honest conversation to reach veterans and everyday people who may be struggling silently. His mission is simple: to remind others that they still have purpose and community.

His message to fellow veterans is heartfelt:

“You’re not broken—you’re just in a new chapter. The mission isn’t over; it’s just changed. Reach out, talk to someone, and don’t be afraid to rebuild at your own pace. There’s strength in starting again.”

Susannah Boos is originally from Ventura County, California. Her professional life has spanned law enforcement, education, and the legal field, along with her time in military service. In the summer of 2024, Susannah’s life changed when she became paralyzed from Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Since then, her focus has been on recovery — physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Susannah served in the United States Navy as a Yeoman, providing administrative and organizational support to her command. Her service took her to both Iraq and Afghanistan, where she learned lessons that have stayed with her long after leaving uniform. “When you look good, you feel good, you are good, and nobody will mess with you,” she recalls her instructor, BU1 Walters, shouting during training. “He was talking about our uniforms — at least I think — but I’ve found myself applying that mantra in practically every aspect of life.”

Leaving the military was difficult. “The hardest part of my transition was the lack of support and lack of community,” she shares. Yet in the face of loss and isolation, Susannah found strength through faith and the people around her. “My spiritual journey has helped me learn to lean on a higher power while navigating some of the most isolating and challenging situations of my life,” she says. “I’ve had to be intentional about building community and leaning on others, and I’m so grateful for the friends, family, and even strangers who’ve helped me through incredibly difficult times.”

Susannah discovered Summit Initiative after responding to a social post looking for veterans in need of community. “For a long time, I avoided veterans or military functions because of negative experiences,” she admits. “Through Summit, I’ve regained a sense of pride as a veteran — something I struggled with for years. It’s been like coming home again, when I didn’t have a home.”

Today, Susannah’s greatest passions are her children, her faith, and helping others. Riding horses has become both therapy and freedom for her. “Riding heals my body and my soul,” she says. “It gives me back a sense of freedom I thought I’d lost.”

Her words to other veterans and service members speak to the courage it takes simply to keep going:

“Take courage and don’t lose hope. Courage isn’t about being the strongest or the most fearless. It’s about moving forward with weakness and fear. Quite often, it’s in the first step of our search for community that we find our strength. So, take courage, and don’t lose hope. You don’t have to do it alone.”

Joshua Wiegand grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, where his passion for music and ministry began long before his time in uniform. Before joining the Army in 2018, he served as a worship leader and college student. Joshua began his military career at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, serving as an Infantryman with 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment.

While stationed there, he found a place to serve both as a soldier and a worship leader through Summit Initiative and post chapel services. “Being able to continue to serve as a worship leader for Summit was one of the most impactful moments of my career,” Joshua shares.

Transitioning out of active duty was difficult. The feeling of isolation and not being understood weighed heavily, but God continued to provide through community. “My supervisors were veterans who supported me through the transition, and the National Guard gave me a way to still feel part of a team.”
Joshua’s faith has since been reignited. “God had bigger plans for me. This year I have been blessed with a new community and church family that has my faith on fire again,” he says.

Today, Joshua serves full time in the Michigan Army National Guard, continues to lead worship, and finds his greatest joy in being a father. His message to other veterans is heartfelt:

“You are not alone. The Lord has good plans for you, even when you cannot see them. Stay the course and keep hanging on. One day you will look back and see the growth."

Robert Sigala grew up in the small town of Hemet, California, where life’s toughest lessons forged him into a man of courage, conviction, and faith. Wrestling at San Jacinto High School under Coach Stan Holmes shaped his early years. “Coach Holmes showed me what I truly had inside,” Robert recalls. “Through wrestling, I learned what sacrifice and dedication really mean.”

Life in Hemet was not easy. It was a place that tested him, refined him, and, as he puts it, “turned iron into steel.” Robert faced challenges that nearly cost him his life, but through every scar and setback, he found strength and purpose.

Today, Robert serves as a UH-60 Black Hawk Pilot and commissioned Aviation Officer in the California National Guard. In his civilian life, he is a United States Marshal on the Southern California Fugitive Task Force, where he tracks fugitives and protects his community.

Robert began his military career as an 11C Infantry Mortarman at Fort Lewis, Washington, with 2-3 Patriots Battalion. “The greatest gift from that time was the brotherhood I built,” he shares. “Bearden, Bartnick, Garcia, Derringer, Hallworth, Whittaker, and Wilson are my brothers for life.”

Faith has remained his foundation and his guide in leadership. “My First Sergeant, Samuel Wentzel, showed me what faith in action looks like,” Robert says. “He helped me when I needed it most and asked only that I pay it forward.”

Robert’s connection to Summit began through that same brotherhood. “Chaplain Witt always made time to check in on us mortarmen and remind us we weren’t alone,” he remembers. “Summit taught me that it’s okay to be vulnerable and to lean on others when life gets heavy.”

His message to other veterans is deeply personal:

“You are not alone. Do not give up or give in. You have brothers who love you and will always be there when you need them. Whether in uniform or not, we still fight the same fight—standing shoulder to shoulder and carrying each other when life gets hard. That is what family means. That is what it means to never quit.”

John Farris grew up in Springfield, Tennessee, and now lives in Murfreesboro where he is pursuing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He served in the U.S. Army as an 11B Infantryman and worked as a radio transmitter operator within his platoon at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

John looks back on his time in service with gratitude for the friendships he built. “I was fortunate enough to have fantastic battle buddies who I remain in contact with to this day,” he says. “Those relationships have meant the world to me.”

The transition to civilian life brought its challenges. Finances were tight, and the return to school required determination and resilience. Through hard work and a number of scholarships, John found stability and even the opportunity to study abroad.

Faith has been a journey for him. Though he no longer identifies as religious, he continues to live by the values of integrity, compassion, and service that shaped him early in life. “I still practice what I believe are good virtues, and that’s something I carry with me from my past worship,” he shares.

John first became involved with Summit Initiative through a battle buddy named McMillan. “I remember the community we built through our unit,” he recalls. “Helping another soldier through a problem always made me feel great about the organization.”

Today, John is deeply passionate about aviation and learning. He has spent the last three years studying the field and hopes to turn that passion into a lifelong pursuit. To other veterans who feel isolated, his encouragement is simple:

“Get out there and find your people. I missed my friends after leaving the service, but connecting with other veterans changed everything. There are more of us out there than you think, and we need each other.”

Chaplain (Colonel) Jason Nobles retired last December after an extraordinary twenty-seven-year career in the United States Army. His journey began at age seventeen as an ROTC cadet at Florida Southern College, where his calling to serve and lead first took root. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1997, Jason served first as an Infantry Officer, then as a Logistics Officer, and ultimately answered the call to become an Army Chaplain, a role he would faithfully serve in for the next eighteen years.

A veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jason’s ministry carried him from combat zones to sacred spaces such as Arlington National Cemetery. Throughout his career, he provided pastoral care, counseling, and worship for Soldiers and families across every level of leadership, from company to corps.

One of the most impactful chapters of his service was his partnership with para-church ministries like Summit Initiative. Through this collaboration, hundreds of Soldiers heard the life-changing good news of Jesus and discovered how His story could transform their own. Jason had the privilege of witnessing Summit’s beginning as Chaplain Kody Witt first launched it within his unit. What began as a spark eight years ago continues to shine as Summit Initiative brings the light and life of Jesus to both military and civilian communities around the world.

Today, Jason continues his ministry of care as a Professional Counselor with Vine and Branches Counseling in Lakewood, Washington. He finds joy in helping others heal and rediscover hope. Jason has been happily married to his wife, Lissette, for twenty-six years, and together they have four children. When he is not counseling, he loves to golf, hike, snow ski, and cheer on his favorite football teams.

Niko Sanso was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. He grew up playing baseball, soccer, and tennis and working his first job at Coffee Underground in downtown Greenville.

After graduating from The Citadel in 2014 with a degree in Criminal Justice, he began a career in manufacturing before answering a different calling. Niko enlisted in the U.S. Army Infantry and served four years at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

After his time in the Infantry, Niko joined the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division and served as a Special Agent at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His work brought meaning that went beyond the mission. “I took great pride in bringing a glimmer of hope to people in some of the worst moments of their lives,” he reflects. That same heart for service led him to apply for Army Aviation, where he now serves as a Warrant Officer awaiting training on the AH-64 Apache at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Faith has been the foundation of Niko’s journey. He gave his life to Christ the day before leaving for basic training and has seen God’s faithfulness in every season since. “It still baffles me that I’ve been as successful as I have been. It truly belongs to God and to the people He placed around me,” he says.

Niko first became involved with Summit Initiative during its earliest days at JBLM. “As Summit grew and brought faith home, it became the next step in my walk with Christ—one I didn’t know I needed,” he shares. A verse from a Summit Bible study continues to guide him today: ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’ (John 11:40).

Now, Niko is passionate about helping others find their own “next step,” wherever that leads. “I have a servant’s heart,” he says. “I hope that through my service people can see that I’m only here by God’s grace, and maybe that will spark something God can use to reach them.”

To those who are struggling or feeling alone, his encouragement is filled with compassion and wisdom:

“It’s okay to not be okay. But give yourself a fighting chance—get sunlight, rest, eat well, surround yourself with support, and allow God and others to walk with you.”

Jason Whitaker served six years in the U.S. Army, a journey that began with a desire to challenge himself and grow into the kind of man he hoped to become. “I joined to gain new experiences that I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise,” Jason shares. “I wanted to become a man and push myself beyond what I thought I was capable of.”

Throughout his service, Jason was stationed in Germany and Washington and says that the most meaningful part of his military experience was not the places he went, but the people he met. “The most memorable experiences will always be the bonds I’ve created and the friendships that I cherish daily,” he reflects.

After leaving the Army, Jason pursued his passion for helping others. He is currently studying social work and works at a local high school where he also coaches the varsity soccer team. “I love helping the next generation figure out who they want to be and building strong bonds along the way,” he says.

Jason first connected with Summit Initiative while on active duty. “Summit brought faith and friendship to a level that I was comfortable with,” he recalls. “At a time when I didn’t really go to church, Summit gave me a platform to enjoy faith with some of the best people I know.”

The lessons Jason learned through Summit continue to shape his life today. “It helped me reflect and show empathy toward others,” he says. “It gave me a way to express myself in a positive light.”

Above all, Jason’s greatest passion now is his family and helping others grow through encouragement and care. His message to other veterans and service members is a reminder of what true leadership looks like:

“They don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Kody Witt grew up in the small town of Brookville, Pennsylvania, where he spent most of his time playing sports, making music, and getting lost in the outdoors. Life was not always easy, but the challenges he faced became the clay God used to shape his character. Those early lessons in struggle, resilience, and faith still influence how he walks with others today.

Kody first served as a Navy Chaplain Candidate for four years before commissioning into the U.S. Army, where he served as a Chaplain for seven years. Of all his assignments, his time as the 2-3 Infantry Battalion Chaplain at Joint Base Lewis-McChord stands out the most. “I met some of the best people I’ve ever known,” he says. “It was an honor to share the struggle and the suck with them. The hardest part was always leaving the people you love.”

His service also included time as a Clinical Chaplain at Brooke Army Medical Center, where he walked with service members and families through moments of deep pain, grief, and recovery.

Transitioning out of the Army was harder than expected. “I underestimated how much the military had changed me,” Kody says. “The way I think, the way I like things done, even the kind of conversations I value, it is all different now. I am still learning what that means, but I am grateful for the perspective it has given me.”

That season also deepened his faith. “Getting out without it being my choice was tough,” he shares. “For over a year, I felt completely out of control, like I could not save myself. But God put the right people around me. He did not take the struggles away, but He made sure I was not alone in them.”
Summit Initiative grew out of those same convictions. “Summit kind of happened to me,” Kody admits. “I was not trying to start anything. I was just an inexperienced chaplain trying to give my soldiers something real, something that met them where they were. As I got to know them, I started to see what they actually needed, and I just kept adjusting. Before I knew it, it had become a community.”

Today, Kody serves as the Director of Community Development for Summit Initiative, continuing the work that began in the field, helping people find each other, walk together, and rediscover hope in shared life and faith. “I have learned that we were never meant to go at it alone,” he says. “Freedom comes when we let people in and stop pretending we have it all together.”

His encouragement to other veterans comes from a place of honesty and hard-won empathy:

“Our struggles are more common than we realize. You are not alone. And the brotherhood we had in uniform does not have to end when we take it off. It can actually get stronger if we let it.”

SSG Darryll Chapman was born and raised in Southeast San Diego, known to locals as “Daygo.” He grew up in a house with more than twenty-five people, in a neighborhood where survival often felt like the only goal. “Where I’m from, survival was the goal, not success,” he says. “I grew up hearing sirens more than I heard encouragement. But that same environment taught me resilience and the courage to choose differently.”

The Army gave Darryll the structure to turn that survival instinct into leadership and purpose. Today he serves as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of his Battalion’s S-1 section, overseeing personnel and administrative operations. His service has taken him to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Fort Knox, and Fort Stewart, with a deployment to Europe in support of Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce.

One moment early in his career still shapes how he leads. While on staff duty as a Private First Class, he received an urgent call from the barracks. Inside a bathroom, he found a fellow soldier who had attempted to take his own life. “I didn’t have time to panic,” he recalls. “I just had to act.” He kept the soldier talking, built trust, and wrapped the wounds tightly until medics arrived. Doctors later told him that his actions likely saved the soldier’s life. “That moment reminded me that leadership isn’t about rank or authority,” Darryll says. “It’s about presence, empathy, and action.”

Faith and community have remained central to Darryll’s life and service. “Faith keeps me grounded and reminds me that the biggest battles are often internal, not external,” he shares. “Community teaches me that we’re not meant to carry those battles alone.”

Darryll was first introduced to Summit Initiative when Chaplain Kody Witt brought it to his unit, 2-3 Infantry. “At first, I was hesitant,” he says, “but Summit gave us a space where everyone was welcome. It boosted morale, built trust, and allowed us to connect beyond rank or belief. Even if you didn’t share the same faith, you were part of the community.”

As a Summit group leader, Darryll helped organize weekly gatherings and quarterly outings that strengthened cohesion within the company. “Summit gave me a space where I could be vulnerable,” he reflects. “That kind of trust and openness changed me, and it changed others too.”

Outside the Army, Darryll is a certified life and business consultant and founder of Daily Money Hustle, where he helps people overcome limiting beliefs, break generational patterns, and build generational wealth. “My story moved from surviving in Daygo’s cage to helping others find their freedom,” he says.

His message to other soldiers and veterans is both honest and inspiring:

“Wherever you find yourself right now, it’s temporary. It will pass. You were made for more. What you’re facing today is preparing you for your breakthrough. And if you need help, reach out. Asking for help is not weakness. It’s courage.”

SFC Kyle Hobart has served ten years in the U.S. Army as an Infantry Squad Leader. He is married to his wife, Ashlei, and together they have three children — Kali, Tyler, and Jaxon. Family has always been Kyle’s anchor, even as his service has taken him across the world.

Over the course of his career, Kyle has been stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Lewis, Washington; and Fort Campbell, Kentucky. His deployments have included South Korea, India, and Europe. “Deploying and leaving my family is the part of service that still impacts me most,” he shares. “It never gets easier, but it reminds me why I do what I do.”

Kyle’s military journey has also shaped his faith and values. “Being in the military has brought me closer to God and to my family,” he says.

He first connected with Summit Initiative in 2018 during a training rotation at the National Training Center. “I was gaslighted into going,” he jokes, “but it turned out to be exactly what I needed.” Through Summit, Kyle discovered that he did not have to carry his struggles alone. “There are others who will share the load,” he says. “We may not always be able to climb mountains or even mole hills. Sometimes you go back down before climbing back up, and with Summit I learned that’s okay.”

Today, Kyle remains passionate about his family and his career and continues to live out the values of faith, service, and community that have carried him through each stage of life.

His message to other soldiers and veterans is both simple and powerful:

“Build a positive community that will help you when the going gets rough. Even if you’re not religious or spiritual, having that community is what will help you keep going. We’re a team. Don’t fight alone.”