Welcome to Veteran Rites

In neighborhoods, we convene Circles of Return that get to the heart of what we carry so we don't have to shoulder it alone.  At the Rite of Return, we answer the soul’s call for deep healing in the wilderness, separated from society, in order to cross the line to who we are truly called to be once we've hung up the uniform.  Our warrior-led ceremony has proven to drastically reduce the symptoms of PTS, compassion fatigue, moral injury, and suicidal thoughts by embracing all aspects of our human nature, identity, and experience.  

These Rites saved our lives, now claim yours.   

Photo Credits: John Crary, Jo Arlow Photography

After a 14-year career in the US Army infantry with heavy combat in Afghanistan, Mark Oravsky was on the brink of suicide, seeking a place where he could “dig a hole and scream in to it.” In his last attempt to keep his finger off the trigger he discovered a Rite of Return to wholeness and sense of belonging in the world as ancient as war itself.  

Here is his story…   

Having experienced the true welcoming home that is every warrior’s birthright, Mark sought out on a mission of piloting a 12-day ceremony of return for veterans.  Under the wings of elder and senior guide Larry Hobbs, with decades of providing healing ceremonies across the earth for all peoples, a pilot rite of passage ceremony specifically for veterans was convened in 2017.  

Armed with fiscal sponsorship and support through the School of Lost Borders, empirical evidence of veteran transformation, and a quantitative independent study to back it up, Mark and Larry ignited what would become Veteran Rites.

Results from the independent study are showing unprecedented promise in establishing a more holistic understanding of what we as a culture are willing to accept as ‘military transition.’    

In 2018 a ceremony serving 12 veterans was documented by Warrior Films.  Touched so deeply as a witness to the ceremony, film producer John Crary joined Mark and Larry to solidify a foundation for the future.  

OIF Veteran Ryan Mielcarek was hired as founding Executive Director in 2019, and together they have crossed the threshold to grow ceremonies and circles that return our warriors home with love and honor.

VETERAN RITES

The mission of Veteran Rites is to initiate Veterans into True Identity, Purpose, and Belonging after military service.  

Veteran Rites honors everyone’s individual journey, regardless of ability, combat experience, military service, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, sexual, religious, political, or spiritual preference.  

WELCOME HOME

“I was able to accomplish more there and kind of come to closure and peace...than I was able to with years and years of trying to see therapists or go to group therapy.”

— Initiated Veteran, Veterans Rite of Return 

At a glance...

• 36 veterans and one civilian TRULY initiated home through four 12-day Rite of Return ceremonies in the wildnerness and a rite of passage pilot.

• Two-year independent study with pre and post cortisol measurements published in the flagship journal of the American Counseling Association. 

  Greenleaf, A. T., Williams, J. M., Roessger, K. M., & Motsenbocker, J. (In press).  Effects of a rites of passage ceremony on veterans’ well-being. Journal of Counseling & Development.

• Guided participants suffering from Post Traumatic Stress, Suicidal Ideation, Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, Alcoholism, Moral Injury, Survivor’s Guilt, Combat-Related Disabilities, Depression, Isolation, Type 1 Diabetes, Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Homelessness, and Permanent Blindness. 

• A place of belonging for all veterans of every era, including women, minority, and lgtbtq warriors.  

• Documentary Film Veterans Journey Home; Leaving it on the Land awarded official selection as 2020’s Best Documentary Feature by the Hero Film Fest.  Film by Warrior Films and Academy Award nominated documentarian Frederick Marx (Hoop Dreams). 

• 501(c)3 Non-Profit Corporation with primary operations in WA State.   

• Program guidance and support through the School of Lost Borders, offering world class rites of passage for 35 years.  

• Leadership and guides balanced with female and male, veteran and civilian. 

• A lifeline for individuals and families with potential as a referral source by VSOs, Therapists, Service Providers, Governmental, Corporate, Civic, Faith-Based, Arts, or Community-Based Organizations.