Inside The Marine Raider Foundation: Care, Community, Continuity

The quiet work after the mission often decides whether a family bends or breaks. We sit down with Marine Raider Foundation CEO Jessica McAndrews to open the door on a community that rarely seeks the spotlight and yet carries a heavy load long after the headlines fade. From emergency travel and uncovered medical devices to childcare during recovery, Jessica explains how a focused nonprofit moves fast to cover real gaps for Marine Raiders, their families, and Gold Star loved ones.

We walk through what makes the Raider community unique within U.S. Special Operations, why the Foundation was started by Raiders themselves, and how trust with the Marine Corps enables quick, ethical support. Jessica shares how needs have shifted over 14 years—from acute battlefield injuries to long-tail challenges like traumatic brain injury and mental health—and why connection to the unit, the mission, and each other remains the strongest protective factor. You’ll hear about annual gatherings for Gold Star families, a 20th anniversary 5K near Camp Lejeune, and a celebration in Washington, D.C., all designed to keep this tight-knit community together.

Practical help takes center stage: transition assistance grants for certifications and tools, mentorship and networking, and direct connections to expert partners for VA claims, resume writing, and interview prep. We talk entrepreneurship, too—how former Raiders are building businesses and purpose beyond the wire—and why the Foundation avoids duplicating services, choosing instead to partner smartly so veterans get the right help, right away. If you’ve ever wondered how to make a real difference for those who serve at the tip of the spear, this conversation is your guide.

Listen now, share with a friend who cares about military families, and support the mission at the Marine Raider Foundation website. If the conversation resonates, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what part inspired you to act. Your voice and your generosity keep the community strong.

Chapters

• 0:00 Who Marine Raiders Are
• 2:55 Why The Foundation Exists
• 4:20 What Support Looks Like
• 6:17 Gold Star Families And Ongoing Care
• 7:31 Mental Health And Long‑Tail Injuries
• 9:09 20th Anniversary And Fundraisers
• 10:34 How To Donate And Get Involved
• 11:53 Transition Help And Career Grants
• 13:18 Staying Connected After Service
• 14:20 Partnering For VA Claims And Services
• 15:41 Jessica’s Navy And USO Journey
• 17:29 Building Trust With The Corps
• 18:44 Staying Relevant Without Duplication
• 20:17 The Need Behind The Headlines
• 22:34 Closing And Listener Resources

Transcript

Who Marine Raiders Are

Larry Zilliox 0:14

At Culinary Services here at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run. And this week our guest is Jessica McAndrews. She's the CEO of the Marine Raider Foundation. And for those of you who aren't familiar with Marine Raiders, it's a elite special operations force within the Marine Corps, often referred to as Marsoc. But this foundation supports those wounded warriors who are Marine Raiders, Gold Star families, and even active duty uh Marine Raiders. So Jessica, welcome to the podcast.

Jessica McAndrews 0:53

Pleasure to be here.

Larry Zilliox 0:54

So if you would uh just start by telling everybody who Marine Raiders are and how a Marine gets to be a Marine Raider.

Jessica McAndrews 1:05

Yes, well, I spend quite a bit of time in the in my position just um informing people that the marine raid exists. So this is a great place to start because I have a feeling a lot of people don't even know that the marine raiders are. So everyone knows uh green berets. A lot of people don't know the marine. So marine raiders is also like you said, which is the um US Special Operations Command. So the Marines that contradict to the Special Operations Command are the Raiders. First Oc is the youngest um one activated 2006. But the Raiders their careers first as Marines. So they are first Marines and then can apply to be part of the Raiders for uh 11 months of rigorous training to achieve the critical operator MLS.

Larry Zilliox 2:03

And I don't know if you can answer this for me, but it's my understanding that Marine Raider positions are open to female Marines as well. There's no standard deviation, either can pass it or not, but are there female marine raiders?

Jessica McAndrews 2:26

Not that I know of. I know that I it is open to um pass the past requirements, but I don't know if currently or the heav. I know in some of the other special operations there there have been females.

Larry Zilliox 2:41

Well, where you guys are based in Indiana, which was really not, if I had to guess where you were, that probably wouldn't have been my first guess. How did the Marine Raider Foundation end up in Indiana?

Jessica McAndrews 2:54

Well, well, the the foundation was really came about because there was a group of Marines that realized that there was no one really taking care of of them specifically. You know, you have the found different foundations that take care of of, but there really wasn't a group that was taking care of of the marine raiders. Group of raiders founded the foundation um about 14 years and not in Indiana. We were um we are we are really on the website that's our our mailing address. So we have got um throughout the throughout the United States, but mostly in North Carolina is a lot of our work just because the Marine Raiders are comprised of three battalions, three of whom are now in North Carolina. It used to be uh had one battalion out in uh California and two in North Carolina. A couple of years ago, they moved all of the battalions to North Carolina. So we do quite a lot of work uh in the North Carolina area.

What Support Looks Like

Larry Zilliox 3:59

And what are some of the programs that you have that support not only active duty but veteran raiders?

Jessica McAndrews 4:06

Yeah, so you know the great thing about small group that we serve is that we can really be with them from the moment they're in until they're out. It's it's a small group, so we are a very um unique organization in that way that we just serve Marine Raiders, their family, and the Gold Star family. As the um World War II raiders, unfortunately, not many left in that group. But so we help with number one, you know, the main reason we're around is for any tragedy assistance. Anytime a raider is injured, it's sick, any member that needs help, that's where we can really jump in. You know, the government covers a lot. Surprisingly or not surprisingly, the government doesn't cover everything. So, you know, we get a phone call from the um from the warrior care team with any needs that are not being met by the government where we can step in. It might be, you know, a medical service or device that is not being covered, or it might be something like helping with, you know, a child care is injured and the spouse wants to be fed by. You know, we can fly a grandparent in to help that family out, not necessarily just the medical aspect. It's looking at the whole family and how can we how can we really support the meeting?

Larry Zilliox 5:38

The services that are needed by raiders today, what do you find that is they need the most?

Gold Star Families And Ongoing Care

Jessica McAndrews 5:45

You know, I would say, you know, multiple things. You know, it's a different world than it was 14 years ago. Obviously, when we started, um, we've lost um in that 14 years, 48 raiders. And so one of one of the big things we continue to do is to support those 48 families, uh, the gold star family of those 48 guys. Those needs will will never go away. We do an event every year for them where we bring them um usually around the command so that they can go to Marsdock, go to the memorials there, um, continue to be a part of the community. You know, that's our biggest goal there is that we don't want to see anybody left behind. This is, you know, they will forever be a part of the Marstock family. And it's so important to get everybody together and help maintain that connection. So that that will always be a large part of what we do. You know, a lot of guys are also finally getting treated for injuries and uh mental health that they suffered over the past, you know, 20 years. And they're finally getting the assistance and medical support for that. So we're seeing a lot of, you know, not the acute care, you know, that we saw 14 years ago, but some of the sprain trauma and the mental health that that all needs to be addressed, that they kind of, you know, we're too busy to even deal with in, you know, for 20 years. So that's a big part, a big part of what we do.

Mental Health And Long‑Tail Injuries

Larry Zilliox 7:15

And I know you have an event coming up in February. It's uh a run. Is that a fundraiser for you?

Jessica McAndrews 7:22

Yes. So February is actually the um Marine Raiders' 20th anniversary. Oh um, yeah, which is which is crazy. I think they all they all they all feel pretty new, but it's been it's been 20 years um this coming February.

unknown 7:37

Wow.

Jessica McAndrews 7:37

But we'll be celebrating in a few ways. And one of them will be uh the 5K that we're we're doing um up there near Camp Lejeune in Sneeds Berry. So it's a fundraiser. It's being um put together by a volunteer group of Mars Ok and other marine spouses and supporters who are you know working hard and getting a lot of folks out there to um birthday. We'll be doing an event in um DC as well to celebrate just a little birthday party there.

Larry Zilliox 8:07

Also in February?

Jessica McAndrews 8:08

Also in February, yes. We'll we're working on that. So we'll have that on our website. That'll be that'll be, I believe, around February 21st.

20th Anniversary And Fundraisers

Larry Zilliox 8:16

Well, listeners, you can go to the webpage to uh learn more about those events, the mariner foundation.org, and go check it out, support them. Uh, you all know where that donate button is. It's a VSO, so the donate button is up in the right hand corner. Bang on it, give what you can. This is an organization that is doing amazing work to support not only active duty raiders, but veterans as well as Gold Star families, which I know we all have a special place in our heart for those families. So please go to that webpage, hit that donate button, give what you can, and then uh look for info on uh these upcoming events so that if you're in the area, you can go out and support them. Um if someone out there, a listener, is a former uh marine raider, what's the best way for them to get in touch with you?

How To Donate And Get Involved

Jessica McAndrews 9:19

There's a spot on our website where they can reach out. I believe it's under get involved, and there's an email on there at info at marine raiderfoundation.org. They can reach out um either via that email or the form on the site. We have a lot of ways to get involved, either by volunteering, joining our miles for Marshop team, um, also just being a mentor to other raiders that are getting out. You know, being a small group, like I said, we are very connected with the community, not only when they're in, but then as they transition out, we provide um transition assistance in a couple of ways. One, we make sure they're connected to different organizations that, you know, do some great things for transitioning service members. There's some some really good ones out there offering incredible programs. We also give transition assistance grants that they can apply for, which can provide anything from clothing to computers to paying for different courses or certifications. We've helped a few raiders start new businesses. We had one um just open his own tattoo shop and one start his own working dog. Um he was a he did um, and I don't even remember what they're called when they when they are in charge of the working dogs um in the service. And he started a dog training business outside once he got out. So it's great to be able to work with them one-on-one and see what are they needs, what are what are they going into and where can we help set them up to succeed? So that's another way for former raiders to kind of stay involved, letting us know where they're at, what business they're in, connecting guys that are getting out to them.

Larry Zilliox 11:06

What do you feel is the the most unmet need that the raiders or just Marines in general face when they go ahead and transition out of the service?

Transition Help And Career Grants

Jessica McAndrews 11:19

You know, I think the big, biggest thing we can do is keep everyone connected. I think we run into problems when, you know, guys or or women, if it's not a raider, just lose connection to not only their fellow service members, but all of the organizations out there that can help. You know, I think there's a lot of people out there doing some really great work. But if if you don't stay connected and don't look to maintain that, you know, that assistance, you can get lost. And I, you know, look, we're we're seeing we're seeing it happen a lot. And it's it's uh sad and scary. And I think everything we can do to, you know, make sure everybody knows that they're they're still part of the team.

Larry Zilliox 12:06

Do you guys offer uh during the transition assistance programs that you you have, do you offer help in making VA claims?

Jessica McAndrews 12:16

We don't personally. So what we do is connect them to you know the great organizations that have that set up. You know, uh VAD is a big one. They do a great job with that. So, you know, I think it's important for nonprofits to not only do what you do well, but so make sure that you're we're putting folks in touch with the organizations out there that are already doing it and they're doing it great.

Larry Zilliox 12:39

Yeah.

Jessica McAndrews 12:40

So part of my responsibility is to make sure that these guys are getting connected to those types of groups. You know, there's some organizations out there that specialize in mass, in you know, resume writing or interviewing. So great, let's get them connected and set up and get them on to success.

Staying Connected After Service

Larry Zilliox 12:57

Your prior service Navy, right? Yes. And and I understand that you at one point were vice president of programs and operations for the USO in the metropolitan New York area. Is that is that right as well?

Jessica McAndrews 13:10

I was, I was after I got out of the Navy. Um I was a JAG in the Navy for 11 years. Got out and ended up um at the USO in New York for for another 10 years.

Larry Zilliox 13:22

So what is it like being the vice president of programs and operations at the USO in Metropolitan New York during fleet week?

Jessica McAndrews 13:32

I mean, it's the best. It's fantastic. I think it's it's insane. I don't think you sleep at all. But man, is it fun? I mean, it doesn't get any better than fleet week in New York. Yeah. That's just a good time.

Partnering For VA Claims And Services

Larry Zilliox 13:48

Yeah. I um after I got out of service, I worked, lived in Jersey, and worked in the city. And uh it was crazy. It was crazy during fleet week. Um, you know, other than Times Square during uh New Year's Eve. It it's the craziest time in the city. What about for you? What was your transition like uh when you separated?

Jessica McAndrews 14:10

You know, it was tough in that I I couldn't figure out what I wanted to do. You know, I'm I was a lawyer by trade, but I wasn't getting excited about any of the legal jobs I was working at. You know, being a lawyer in the Navy was was exciting. I was a prosecutor, I was, you know, on a ship, you know, over in the Gulf for a long time. It was uh very, you know, high tempo, constantly something going on. And then I got out and said, okay, now what do I want to see when I grow up? And I ended up going to the USO. And honestly, I plan to do that as almost a I'll sit here for a couple of months and do this because I love what they do and I want to be a part of it, but it's really not my career. You know, I I didn't say that I would end up there for 10 years and absolutely finding my calling in life. But you know, I I tell a lot of people that it it's amazing when you realize you don't need to be what you thought you had to be. You know, I I don't have to be a lawyer for 40 years. I can be a lawyer for 10 years and now I can do nonprofit work and I I love it. Don't get me wrong, I still get excited when I see a contract, but I get to tear apart.

Larry Zilliox 15:27

Well, and then what leads you to the Marine Raider Foundation?

Jessica McAndrews 15:32

You know, it was after I was leaving the USO and I was looking for a um a place where I sit in that was also a little bit smaller, you know, very, very high, again, that kind of high impact, quick reaction, which you could argue Marsock definitely is, and the foundation is the same way. You know, something happened, we get a phone call, we can just respond immediately. We're uh very hands-on, kind of working directly with with Marsock, with the family. It's a very different, very different experience. So it's been it's been fun. You know, the USO is an incredible organization, and I I love my time there. I was able to help build out USOs at Newark and JFK and up in Groton, and it was just incredible. But this has definitely been a been a great transition and getting to work with a very um very unique and inspiring group of Marines and their family.

Larry Zilliox 16:32

So for us here at the Warrior Retreat at Bull Run, we thought if you build it, they will come. And we didn't realize there'd be a battalion of lawyers standing between us and wounded warriors. And it took us quite some time to overcome that and to earn trust of the commands both at Walter Reed and Fort Belfort, where the majority of our wounded warriors and families come to stay with us. What's it like working with the Marine Corps? What what how long did it take? What was that process like to earn the trust to where they would, you know, let you in?

Building Trust With The Corps

Staying Relevant Without Duplication

Jessica McAndrews 17:12

Right. And I think the unique thing about this organization is that it was started by a group of raiders. So they immediately had that in and that um, you know, the relationships were already there and it has stayed that way for the past 14 years. I have found them incredibly open and willing to discuss anything, you know. Granted, there's always gonna be a lawyer involved. So, you know, the nice thing is I was a JAG as well. So a lot of times I can um, you know, I can look at a request that we're putting in and also give the reason why it could be approved based on, you know, based on the joint ethics regulations. Doesn't always mean it's gonna happen. But at the same time, you know, as nonprofits, I think that's another thing that, you know, it's on us to make sure that we're not putting anybody we serve in a position of violating any ethics regulations, any anything else like that. So, you know, I think the more we can do to ensure that that's not happening, the more trust we gain from the Marine Corps or another branch of service. But you know, again, it's a small, a small community. So you you get to know everybody pretty quickly and and really um you know stay connected. I think, you know, my goal too is that we want to remain relevant. You know, are we providing the programs and services that are still relevant? You know, what's what did the community need? And are we are we able to do that? And if we're not, all right, let's take a look at our programs and and change it so that so that we are relevant.

Larry Zilliox 18:56

Is there a program that you would like to see you implement the the the foundation implement that it's not offered right now?

Jessica McAndrews 19:06

Honestly, no. I think we are, you know, from our perspective, we're we're hitting the nail on the head. You know, we're we're there when they need us from the beginning until they're transitioning out. So, you know, we look at our programs every year just to kind of make sure that we are and also sit down with with the team at Marstoc to make sure that we're not missing something. But we're always, you know, and we'll always jump in with as things come up with support where it's where it's needed. That's the big thing too. We're we're gonna be there. If something happens, if something's needed, we'll be there. So our our programs aren't limited to just the programs we do now. We can we can quickly react if if there's a need.

Larry Zilliox 19:47

Where would you like to see the foundation in say three to five years?

The Need Behind The Headlines

Jessica McAndrews 19:52

You know, I'd like us to still be that go-to organization. I think that another trap with nonprofits too can be expanding too much into things again that other organizations are already doing. You know, I want to be doing what we're doing and do it well and find. those other organizations that are doing other things and make sure that we're we're pushing people there and and working together with these other nonprofits. You know, it's uh there's a lot of nonprofits out there supporting the veteran community, which is which is great. But I think it's also very easy to get lost in the group of them.

Larry Zilliox 20:33

For sure. I'm always concerned when I see organizations that are just duplicating what five other organizations do. And the other trap I see with veteran service organizations is that they don't take the time to ask veterans what they need. They just say, well this is what we can do and here it is whether they need it or not. And unfortunately it's disappointing to see some organizations like that. It's also really exciting and rewarding to see an organization like yours where you're giving the Raiders exactly what they need, which is help with medical issues, help with mental health issues, help with transitioning, veterans that need assistance, gold star families that need assistance. So listeners, please go to the webpage the marine raider foundation.org and check out all the activities and the resources that they have donate please hit that donate button. Give what you can as we kind of wrap up uh what's the one thing you want our listeners to know the most important thing that they should know about the Marine Raider Foundation.

Closing And Listener Resources

Jessica McAndrews 21:49

You know, I think the big thing right now especially is that you know as a country and most of your listeners probably know this just because they're your listeners, but you know, these guys are still out constantly there's still constant deployments just because you don't hear about it in the news every day. It's happening. These families are still stressed. They you just don't hear about it as much. So we lose some of the support when that happens and you know we need it more than ever. You know it's it's it's a toll. It's a toll on on the guys and on and on the family.

Larry Zilliox 22:22

Well for sure. And uh I can't thank you enough for joining us today and and letting everybody know about the foundation the amazing work that you're doing. I really appreciate it.

Jessica McAndrews 22:32

Thank you, Larry. It's been such a pleasure to talk to you.

Larry Zilliox 22:35

Well listeners we'll have another episode next Monday morning at 0500. If you have any questions or suggestions you can reach us at podcast at wheelingwarriors.org or on all the major podcast platforms on YouTube and Wreaths Across America Radio. So until then thanks for listening