“I got initiated with my people at bootcamp, why didn’t I get initiated with them on the way out?” - OEF Veteran
“Oh, you take people back to where they came from.” - Veteran on the Street
“The Rite of Return is where I crossed the line into becoming a human being, not a human doing, in nature, as nature. - Rite of Return OIF Initiate
WELCOME HOME
The Rite of Return is a rite of passage for veterans seeking to answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness in order to lay down what longer serves and step into who you are truly called to be after military service. Separated from society, in solidarity and solitude, cross the threshold as to answer:
Who Am I? What’s My Purpose? Where do I Belong?
We know that if Veterans were given the process, community, and container to truly come home to these answers, more of our Veterans would be living today, and living the future worthy of their and their family’s sacrifice. This ancient, cross-cultural rite of passage has proven to drastically reduce the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal ideation by embracing the wholeness of our human and veteran experience, all rooted in nature.
THE RITE OF RETURN
The 12-day rite of passage will be held in the wilderness of Eastern Washington with trained veteran and non-veteran guides. Participants experience time in community with other vets, four days of solo time, fasting in the wilderness, and a marked return where their stories are shared and witnessed in community council. This return marks the beginning of a veteran’s process of incorporating that which they have gained and learned during their time in service and explored in the context of time alone in the wilderness, so they may bring their gifts home, able to participate more fully in service of their families and their communies.
ELIGIBILITY
The Rite of Return is available to Current and Prior Military Service Members, Spouses, Partners, Gold Star Family Members (18+), and Dependent Survivors of Veteran Suicide.
INCLUSION, ACCESSIBILITY, INTEGRATION
Veteran Rites embraces the wild diversity of our military family with Love and Honor. We walk with every individual called to the land to fully prepare physically, mentally, and spiritually for their Rite of Return, and are obsessed with removing barriers to access that prevent our people from reclaiming their freedom. Once initiated on the land, Veteran Rites is committed to providing integration supports and opportunities for initiates to incorporate their True Identity, Purpose, and Belonging with Veteran Rites and in their communities.
CLAIM YOUR SEAT
Claim your seat today, and we will begin the journey into the story that has been waiting for you.
