The American Warrior Association (AWA) announced a national communications
initiative to increase awareness of moral injury, culminating in the premiere of the five-part documentary series
The Journey Unbound in alignment with Texas Moral Injury Awareness Day on May 14, 2026.
This effort addresses the invisible wounds carried by military service members, veterans, first responders, and
their families. Through storytelling, advocacy, and proactive programming, the AWA aims to shift the national
conversation around mental and emotional resilience for those who serve. Deploying a multitude of resources
and efforts including its R3 program, which focuses on the country’s first responders, the AWA is a leading
voice on moral injury awareness and resilience.
Moral injury is often misunderstood and frequently overlooked; it affects individuals who have experienced or
witnessed events that deeply conflict with their moral beliefs. Unlike traditional clinical diagnoses, moral injury
requires a holistic, community-centered approach rooted in faith, purpose, and connection.
On May 14, 2025, both the Texas House and Senate officially proclaimed May 14 as Moral Injury Awareness
Day, marking a significant step forward in recognizing the challenges faced by veterans, first responders,
and frontline professionals. The 2026 campaign builds on this momentum, positioning Texas as a leader in a
growing national movement.
At the center of this initiative is The Journey Unbound, a five-part documentary series hosted by former Navy
SEAL Josh Jakub, Director of Men’s Programs for the AWA. The series follows Josh on a cross-country journey,
sharing real stories from service members and first responders while exploring the role of faith and community
in healing moral injury.
Through intimate conversations and firsthand accounts, the series reveals the emotional and spiritual
challenges faced by those who serve and the transformative impact of community, purpose, and faith-based
restoration.
The American Warrior Association has long supported veterans through Warrior’s Refuge, an immersive
outdoor retreat that fosters camaraderie, reflection, and spiritual renewal. Building on that foundation, R3
extends this mission to first responders through a proactive, structured approach to wellness.
Developed by the AWA, R3 (Respond. Restore. Resolve.) is a department-embedded wellness and resilience
framework designed to proactively address moral injury before it becomes a crisis. By integrating directly
into daily operations, R3 provides first responders with access to trusted, peer-led, non-clinical resources
using dedicated training time, removing barriers and prioritizing confidentiality. The program empowers first
responders to take ownership of their mental and emotional health without stigma, judgment, or administrative
barriers.
Together, the AWA and its R3 program are emerging as leading voices on moral injury, offering scalable
solutions, national programming, and a unified message of healing.
Media Opportunities and National Expansion
As part of this campaign, AWA leadership, program participants, and documentary contributors will be available
for:
- Broadcast and podcast interviews
- Speaking engagements and panel discussions
- Legislative briefings and advocacy efforts
- Expert commentary on moral injury and resilience
The initiative also supports ongoing national expansion efforts, with R3 positioned as a scalable model for first
responder wellness programs across the country.
About the American Warrior Association (AWA)
The American Warrior Association (AWA) is a Fort Worth-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to restoring
military service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Through its flagship program,
Warrior’s Refuge, and its department-embedded R3: Respond. Restore. Resolve. framework, the AWA delivers
confidential, peer-led, and proactive solutions focused on addressing moral injury. By removing barriers to care
and prioritizing trust, the AWA helps warriors process moral injury, reclaim their purpose, and return to their
lives with renewed moral resilience. Supported by a unique funding model in which all administrative costs are
covered, 100% of public donations go directly to program delivery and warrior care.
The Journey Unbound
The Journey Unbound is a documentary series that shines light on the lives of America’s military service
members and first responders, revealing the vital role faith plays in their mental and emotional well-being
