Team Rubicon

"Team Rubicon is not just about responding to disasters; it is about creating a cycle of goodwill and empowerment. It harnesses the irreplaceable gift of time and turns it into lasting impact, and in doing so, cultivates a community ready to rise together against adversity." TR mobilization manager Brent Slough shares some valuable insight on how we transform time into impact.

Transforming Time into Impact - Team Rubicon How harnessing the irreplaceable gift of volunteers' time creates lasting impact and builds capacity within Team Rubicon and beyond.

On , we're taking a moment to express our gratitude to Airlink and their dedicated airline partners, United Airlines and American Airlines. Thanks to their support, we're not just reaching new heights, but reaching communities in need with timely and essential aid.

"As a veteran I always felt serving people was my calling. I can’t express the feeling of being around such positive and inspiring people while making a big difference in a person's life. Mayo base camp was my first deployment, and I can’t wait to do it again. It was said 'You are in the presence of giants and you didn’t even know it.' That's the only way to explain my deployment." - Michael Parks, US Army Veteran, Greyshirt.

Step into the shoes of a Greyshirt during Typhoon Haiyan—a mission that shaped Team Rubicon's trajectory. Breaux Burns recounts the challenges, triumphs, and the spirit that defines our mission, from what he saw that day to now, 10 years later.

Greyshirts. Get. Results. 👏 Head to https://fundraise.teamrubiconusa.org/2023 to fuel our mission and keep our veteran-led volunteers at the ready to serve.

We've got one simple question: what does GSD mean to you?

On this Native American Heritage Day, Team Rubicon recognizes the rich cultural contributions and enduring resilience of Native American communities. We are proud to honor their heritage and traditions while reaffirming our commitment to serving and supporting native populations across the country. Together, let us celebrate and amplify the voices, stories, and histories that shape our nation's diverse tapestry.

Photo: Team Rubicon volunteers serve alongside members of the Navajo Nation conducting flood recovery work earlier this year.

Greyshirts are already busy getting in to the Thanksgiving spirit! Got this report in from TR volunteer John Swindlehurst:

"Had an incredible day volunteering with my fellow Grayshirts, supporting Veterans in the Worcester area for Thanksgiving. Teamed up with Veterans Inc. for a special 'shopping experience,' the veterans pushed their grocery carts to each section where they selected all they needed for a Thanksgiving feast."

Massive gratitude to the Tampa Bay Lightning for rallying behind Team Rubicon in our mission to make a difference. With Hurricane Ian + Hurricane Idalia coming in back-to-back years, our neighbors in Florida have withstood incredibly powerful storms and your support fuels our efforts to serve communities in need. Together, we're creating a brighter future.⚡️🤝

"The most impactful part of my recent deployment was getting to hear first-hand experiences of what survivors went through and are currently facing. There's only so much you can learn and conceptualize from media and outside sources, and nothing comes close to having face-to-face conversations with people who have been impacted.

"In Hawaii, we took the lead from a local conservationist and cleared out brush and debris from the fires, and then used what we could salvage to create barriers to prevent flooding and mudslides. I served in the Army as a combat medic with a deployment to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. My experience in the military and also as a former firefighter/EMT helped me be prepared to offer any medical assistance and also instilled in me the willingness to work hard and get dirty, a necessity on TR deployments.

"The locals are ultimately the experts in how their community can move forward and recover. Oftentimes they just need the extra hands to make it happen, and that's where a willingness to get involved and help can make all the difference no matter what your skill set may be." - Tracy Echert, Greyshirt, Army Veteran

A Greyshirt reflects on proud moments from his time responding to the Morocco earthquake, and how a water filter and tea with an elder made a lifelong impact:

All the Waterworks - Team Rubicon A volunteer who responded to the Morocco earthquake with Team Rubicon shares a story about how tea and a water filter nearly cost him his composure.

Today is the day to become a difference maker. Step into the arena. Your TRibe is waiting: https://teamrubiconusa.org/volunteer/

At Team Rubicon, culture is key. And a big part of our culture? Patches! Drop a pic in the comments of your official TR patches, bonus points for ultra rare ones!

Team Rubicon, alongside Fire Adapted Bailey and Platte Canyon Fire Protection District, took action to safeguard communities by mitigating Home Ignition Zones (HIZ) in Colorado. HIZ, the critical first 100 ft around a home or structure, was cleared of excess vegetation and fuels to minimize the risk of wildfire. Over 40 dedicated Greyshirts worked relentlessly for 3 days, felling, limbing, and hauling slash. Way to GSD y'all!

Lisa Bodenburg served numerous deployments during her time in the U.S. Marine Corps, including during both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. She joined Team Rubicon in 2017 and has served on multiple operations and local service projects since. Why does she continue her service with TR?

"It has brought me a sense of community that’s so very similar to the Marine Corps, which is extremely, extremely difficult to find. It’s non-existent, other than within TR. So, the sense of community, as well as the female Greyshirts who serve and are just like me."

Lisa's not looking for 'thanks' this , but she does have a request for all of us: "Pick up the phone and check on someone they know is a veteran. Ask the tough questions. Ask them how they’re doing, what’s going on in their life? It’s a very, very lonely world outside of the military, and for some reason it is extremely difficult to transition from such a high-purpose, camaraderie, brotherhood-situation to a very lonely, empty world that is sometimes without purpose, especially if you’re not able to find a job that brings fulfillment or a team that cares about you. So, show veterans that you actually care about them."

Always leading the way 💪
Team Rubicon Greyshirts participate in the NYC Veterans Day Parade and help carry the “Ground Zero Flag” to lead the line of march.

“We’re here to serve. That’s what wearing the grey shirt means,” said Marine veteran and Greyshirt Joe Maki. “But it does kind of mean a little more that we can help a Marine in a situation like this.”

In the wake of Hurricane Ian, Greyshirts rallied to aid Vietnam War-era veterans and their families in rebuilding their storm-stricken homes. A testament to service and solidarity as Greyshirts help their Marine brother rebuild:

Hurricane Ian Response Leads to Veterans Serving Veterans - Team Rubicon U.S. military veterans volunteering on a disaster relief operation end up serving their own by helping Vietnam War-era veterans return home.

In honor of Veterans Day, GAF is challenging you to donate and help reach the goal of raising $150k— because everyone deserves to have a reliable roof over their head, especially after a disaster.

Support our service. Give today: https://trusa.co/vd23

Embrace a higher calling this Veterans Day by supporting and serving alongside Team Rubicon. You’ll become part of a powerful force that restores hope, rebuilds communities, and embodies our veteran-rooted mentality of service over self. Head to veterans.day to get involved.

From Gratitude to Impact: Don’t Thank Us, Join Us This Veterans Day. - Team Rubicon Together, we can show up for communities far and wide, but we can't do it alone.

Meet Jed, a US Army Veteran and a Greyshirt. From fixing water pumps for community shelters to rescuing a stranded dog, his service with TR to date has left a profound impact. In the military, he handled hazardous materials and played a crucial role in nuclear and radioactive transportation and disposal.

Jed's experiences have reinforced the importance of helping others, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie and compassion. His insight into communities facing adversity emphasizes the need for support in challenging times. “There are good people in bad situations," he believes, "and it would be wrong for me not to help."

Jed is just one of the 160,000+ Greyshirts who raise their hand to continue to serve again and again. This continued service is made possible by partners like , who not only help fuel our mission but encourage their employees to get out in the field as Greyshirts to help communities on their worst day. Ready to step in to the arena? Take action this Veterans Day. Head to TeamRubiconUSA.org/volunteer and earn your shirt.

Though Hurricane Idalia has passed, Team Rubicon’s veteran-led volunteers remain committed to serving communities impacted by this forgotten storm. Greyshirts have had boots on the ground for over 65 days, assisting with muck outs, removing downed trees, tarping roofs and helping our neighbors in Florida get back on their feet. It’s what we do. It’s what we’re built for. And it’s vital work made possible by our long-time partners at GAF - Roofing. Our partnership with GAF has helped thousands of families impacted by disaster as well as build essential programs within Team Rubicon to expand our support of these communities. Join GAF in supporting Team Rubicon this Veterans Day and make more continued-service possible.

Brenda Nurre's commitment to disaster relief knows no bounds. Seated behind her computer screens, orchestrating relief efforts from her home, Nurre epitomizes the power of virtual volunteering with Team Rubicon. Her journey from military service to remote volunteering is a testament to the impact one individual can make, even from afar. Head over to the TR blog to dive into Nurre's story and the profound contributions she continues to make, all from the comfort of her home.

Virtual Volunteer Takes On Disasters From Afar - Team Rubicon How one Team Rubicon volunteer helps deliver disaster relief aid—and makes friends—far from the disaster zone.

🚨VOTE FOR TR!🚨
Wanna help us serve more communities in need? Then head over to http://mavs.com/istmvp and vote for Team Rubicon starting today through Nov. 8. The Dallas Mavericks will award $25k to the charity with the most votes. Vote daily and help us continue to serve!

What. A. Night. 👏
Our incredible community of supporters got together for Salute To Service 2023 to recognize the extraordinary work of our veteran-led volunteers and pledged to make even more life saving work possible across the globe for those who need it most. THANK YOU for believing in our mission and the power of continued service. For everyone who made this record breaking night possible - let's give 'em one! 👏