Commander Info

How SSO Benefits the Commander

“Research indicates that spiritual fitness plays a key role in resiliency, in our ability to grow, develop, recover, heal, and adapt.” ~ General Robert Neller, Marine Corps Commandant (ALMAR 33/16)

Spiritual Fitness and Outdoor Adventure Contribute Directly to Mission Readiness by:

  • Reinforcing moral and ethical decision-making.
  • Improving physical fitness, stamina and resilience.
  • Providing an outlet for healthy and safe risk-taking.
  • Strengthening teamwork and trust in peers and leaders.

SSO Supports Commanders and Chaplains by Strengthening Unit Readiness and Increasing Spiritual Fitness Through:

  • Encouraging development of a solid moral, ethical and spiritual foundation that strengthens core values and contributes to good order and discipline.
  • Increasing fortitude and courage through recreation and spiritual renewal.

Assisting commanders with keeping unit members in the Green “Ready” Zone of the Operational Stress Continuum, per MCTP 3-30E.

  • Strengthening resilience against stress reactions, injuries and illnesses.
  • Discussing relevant life foundation issues.
  • Encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
  • Providing positive alternatives to unhealthy life choices.
  • Encouraging activities that strengthen physical fitness.
  • Aid in strengthening mind, body and spirit.
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“You’ve got to be able to get to the fight, you’ve got to be able to win the fight, and you’ve got to be able to get home from the fight. And that’s what Holistic Health and Fitness is about.”

Lieutenant General James Mingus, U.S. Army
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“Soul Survivor Outdoor provides some of the best practical/tangible support to active duty military service members through outdoor adventures. Rick Wolf and Jeremy Cole’s attention to detail while creating each event creates a positive environment and esprit de corps that is engaging and opens up an aspect of outdoor life too easily neglected in the grind of deployment and training cycles. SSO is a must for any unit who desires their service members to have a revitalizing experience.”   

SFC Jacob Schanck, U.S. Army
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“It was a fantastic experience that provided extremely valuable insights for leaders at all ranks!”

Jacob Gann
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“Soul Survivor Outdoor prepared a trip for my Marines that brought us closer together than ever before! . . . The team is professional, well-prepared, and dedicated to reaching service members with a message of how to build life-lasting resiliency and dedication to work/life balance! The experience we embarked on with rock climbing, rappelling, and cave diving was one to remember for the rest of our careers and lives. . . This trip was a must for my team, and we are stronger and more cohesive as a result!”

Maj Sam Houghtling, U.S. Marine Corps
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“Soul Survivor Outdoor is the epitome of leadership and being a servant to those that serve. They are directly on point with how they ensure our service members continue to be mentally, physically, and spiritually fit with Christ at the foundation. The positive effect that they have on each individual service member has exponential effects for every other person that that service member touches.”

Maj Zerbin Singleton, U.S. Marine Corps
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“This group is providing everything that our soldiers are missing! Community, Faith and Spiritual Fitness! Thank you for making an impact on our young soldiers.”

CPT Kenneth Harrison, U.S. Army
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“This is probably the most effective single day Spiritual Fitness training I’ve ever experienced!

CPT Bruce Ausink, Chaplain, U.S. Army
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“This was an awesome experience for the Soldiers to overcome their fears, get out in nature, and build their faith! Thank you to SSO and their team for a truly once in a lifetime experience”

CPT Chris Lamoureux, U.S. Army
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Soul Survivor Organization has supported our Marines from Recruiting Station Salt Lake City for several years now. It’s amazing to have our Marines out with them enjoying the amazing outdoors and also discussing how we can better ourselves spiritually. This is something we cannot replicate through other means and it allows our Marines an opportunity to reset, build a great deal of camaraderie, and become better leaders for our Marines.”

SgtMaj Carlos Perez, U.S. Marine Corps
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“Absolutely Recommend! Rick and his team provided surfing lessons and a day learning the importance of spiritual fitness. They were professional and provided many resources to improve one’s spiritual fitness. The Marines had an amazing time and some found a new hobby. I cannot recommend this organization highly enough.”

1stLtDrew Cisneros, U.S. Marine Corps
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“Rick and the team at SSO absolutely crushed it!! . . .  [M]yself and others had little idea of what to expect and even if we did have any pre-conceived expectations they would have been absolutely CRUSHED! Not only is their mission statement phenomenal, but their method and execution are refreshing and target both the physical and the spiritual! From arrival through departure it was a pleasure, from the skydiving to the group conversation on resilience and aligning ourselves for our walk! 100% recommend!”

GySgt Travis Sproat, U.S. Marine Corps
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“My experience with Soul Survivor Outdoor (SSO) was incredibly positive and impactful. . . They go beyond just physical support, also addressing mental and spiritual needs. SSO’s dedication to the well-being of service members is truly commendable, making them a valuable resource for those who have served. The team in Colorado Springs were exceptional. They exceeded our Marines expectations.”

SgtMaj Angel Olmo, U.S. Marine Corps
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“They’re fantastic. . . In 22 years of active duty service I’ve never seen such a wonderful resource to get soldiers away from the unit but still bonding and getting that cohesion that you don’t normally get until you’re kind of under stressful situations or a hard core training event.”

CW3 Jason Rutherford, U.S. Army Apache Pilot
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“What an amazing experience! I highly recommend reaching out to SSO if you are serious about strengthening your team, increasing resilience, and building foundations that will greatly benefit your organization for years to come.  We felt like VIPs throughout the whole process and left inspired to continue the pursuit of excellence in the right way.  Thank you SSO!”

MAJ Jon Anderson, U.S. Army
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“An exceptional team of leaders that truly know how to take care of Soldiers. The SSO team helped us push the pause button on the daily grind and took us to skeet shoot. Skeet shooting alone is tons of fun, but they delivered so much more. What a great combination of faith, fun, and fellowship. The experience undoubtedly brought us closer together.”

LTC Gilbert Juarez, U.S. Army
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“SSO is by far one of the top non profit organizations that lift up the soul of those that are actively serving our country. My experience was one that I would recommend to any active duty unit of the military branch to give themselves a chance to pause, make time and come together as a team to build camaraderie in an adventurous way. . . SSO set a time for the service member [to] reevaluate, recalibrate and meditate in their faith and the value of their life and point back to our Creator. You got to be part of one of their events in order to experience what’s hard for me to describe about how amazing time I had with my unit and the SSO staff.”

SSgt Elvin Oquendo Vazquez, U.S. Marine Corps
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“An experience that will help forge fighting spirit within a team. Top-notch organization of great people. 10 out of 10 would recommend to any commander who believes in building a winning team. Do not underestimate the power of spiritual fitness!”

Maj Jake Crockett, U.S. Marine Corps
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“The organization is completely and unequivocally committed to the resiliency and spiritual fitness of our service members. And they do it through fun, challenging, and unique events for our heroes. Keep up the great work and I’ll certainly leverage SSO in the near future at Fort Bragg, NC. Hooah!! Army Strong!!”

COL Jay Harty, U.S. Army
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“Incredible and memorable training event with SSO! Rick and his team plan and deliver an experience that all participants will talk about for the rest of their life. Strongly encourage all leaders to reach out to Rick and his team to make this opportunity available to more service members!”

Maj Tyler Folan, U.S. Marine Corps

Marine Corps Spiritual Fitness

Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Carlos A. Ruiz, and Chaplain of the Marine Corps Rear Adm. Carey H. Cash discuss the significance of spiritual fitness in the Marine Corps.

SSO Podcast: Command Impact

Rick sits down with Colorado Area Director Randy Garcia, Kentucky/Tennessee Area Director Richard Davis and Texas Area Director Tony Smit to discuss how SSO’s resiliency and spiritual fitness program impacts the commander and their unit’s cohesion and readiness.

Our Mission

Impacting the World for Christ One Active Duty Service Member at a Time.

REACHING service members with the gospel of Christ.

CONNECTING with other service members through small group Bible studies led by fellow service members.

BUILDING a Christ-centered foundation for living.

DEPLOYING on short-term missions locally and abroad.

SUSTAINING a relationship with Christ through fellow service members leading and mentoring others.

IMPACTING the world and an entire generation for Christ.