The Story Behind Eagle OPS Foundation
Eagle OPS Foundation wasn’t born from a business plan—it was born from struggle, purpose, and an undeniable need for connection.
For Johnathon "Shep" Shepherd, a U.S. Marine Veteran, the transition from military service wasn’t marked by a single, defining hardship—a slow, silent battle he couldn’t quite explain. He had a family who loved him, a successful business, and a natural gift for building relationships and connecting people. But something was missing.
Even though he had been married to Jessica for years—and they had known each other since sixth grade—he still felt isolated, disconnected, and alone. And that was the part he couldn’t understand. How could he have people around him and still feel this way?
This internal battle led to conflict—within himself and with others. Marital tensions, parenting challenges, a growing frustration with people and the world around him all stemmed from something he couldn’t yet name— the lack of the structure, purpose, and brotherhood that had once defined his life. He wasn’t alone in this struggle, but like so many veterans, it felt like he was.
For Jessica, this struggle wasn’t just something she witnessed in Shep—it was something she had seen throughout her life. As the daughter of a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient she grew up seeing the generational impact of military service. Vietnam veterans returned home to a country that didn’t welcome them, and the pain of that rejection stayed with them for a lifetime. It wasn’t just loneliness—it was a loss of identity, a loss of belonging, and an uphill battle to find purpose again. She saw those same struggles in Shep, in other family members who served, and in the broader military community.
But she also saw something deeper—a need, not just to belong, but to have a purpose. Veterans didn’t just want to belong—they wanted purpose. They didn’t just need to reconnect with other veterans—they needed healthy ways to engage, to challenge themselves, and to feel alive again.
For Johnathon "Shep" Shepherd, a U.S. Marine Veteran, the transition from military service wasn’t marked by a single, defining hardship—a slow, silent battle he couldn’t quite explain. He had a family who loved him, a successful business, and a natural gift for building relationships and connecting people. But something was missing.
Even though he had been married to Jessica for years—and they had known each other since sixth grade—he still felt isolated, disconnected, and alone. And that was the part he couldn’t understand. How could he have people around him and still feel this way?
This internal battle led to conflict—within himself and with others. Marital tensions, parenting challenges, a growing frustration with people and the world around him all stemmed from something he couldn’t yet name— the lack of the structure, purpose, and brotherhood that had once defined his life. He wasn’t alone in this struggle, but like so many veterans, it felt like he was.
For Jessica, this struggle wasn’t just something she witnessed in Shep—it was something she had seen throughout her life. As the daughter of a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient she grew up seeing the generational impact of military service. Vietnam veterans returned home to a country that didn’t welcome them, and the pain of that rejection stayed with them for a lifetime. It wasn’t just loneliness—it was a loss of identity, a loss of belonging, and an uphill battle to find purpose again. She saw those same struggles in Shep, in other family members who served, and in the broader military community.
But she also saw something deeper—a need, not just to belong, but to have a purpose. Veterans didn’t just want to belong—they wanted purpose. They didn’t just need to reconnect with other veterans—they needed healthy ways to engage, to challenge themselves, and to feel alive again.
The First Rally Point – Where It All Began
In November 2016, without knowing the full extent of what they were about to create, Shep and Jessica started with one simple idea: let’s put together a running team and support the DAV in the process. They organized a team to run in the DAV5K in Tulsa, inviting any veteran, service member and patriot to join. They called it Eagle OPS—short for Eagle OPERATIONS.
The Eagle was more than just a symbol—it reflected the national emblem of freedom and the motto E Pluribus Unum—Out of Many, One. The mission? Reach ONE MORE. One more veteran. One more service member. One more family member. Bring them into a community where no one fights alone.
That first event was simple, but it was the spark. Veterans who had been struggling in silence showed up. They didn’t just run—they talked, they laughed, they shared experiences, and they reconnected. It became clear that this was about so much more than running.
The Eagle was more than just a symbol—it reflected the national emblem of freedom and the motto E Pluribus Unum—Out of Many, One. The mission? Reach ONE MORE. One more veteran. One more service member. One more family member. Bring them into a community where no one fights alone.
That first event was simple, but it was the spark. Veterans who had been struggling in silence showed up. They didn’t just run—they talked, they laughed, they shared experiences, and they reconnected. It became clear that this was about so much more than running.
The Evolution of the Mission: Upstream Suicide Prevention
What started as a single event quickly turned into something much bigger. Veterans didn’t just need one day of camaraderie—they needed consistent opportunities for connection. Eagle OPS began organizing more events—what they would later call Rally Points—each designed to bring veterans together in a safe, engaging, and meaningful way.
As Eagle OPS grew, so did its understanding of its true purpose. This wasn’t just socializing—it was upstream suicide prevention. By giving veterans opportunities to engage in recreational therapy—whether through running, **firepit nights, shooting sports, golf, gaming, or any other Rally Point—** they were providing the tools and resources to minimize damage before a crisis ever occurred.
It wasn’t about waiting until veterans hit rock bottom—it was about preventing them from ever getting there.
As Eagle OPS grew, so did its understanding of its true purpose. This wasn’t just socializing—it was upstream suicide prevention. By giving veterans opportunities to engage in recreational therapy—whether through running, **firepit nights, shooting sports, golf, gaming, or any other Rally Point—** they were providing the tools and resources to minimize damage before a crisis ever occurred.
It wasn’t about waiting until veterans hit rock bottom—it was about preventing them from ever getting there.