Veteran Transition Programs That Redefine Success: A Deep Dive Into Camp Southern Ground
Transitioning out of the military is one of the most significant—and often most challenging—chapters in a veteran’s life. It’s a time of uncertainty, identity shifts, and emotional weight. Many veterans struggle to find direction, redefine success, and build a life of purpose after leaving the structured world of service. While there are plenty of job-focused resources available, few truly address the holistic needs of the transitioning service member. Enter Camp Southern Ground, home to some of the most comprehensive and effective veteran transition programs in the country. These programs are built on purpose, backed by science, and offered at no cost to the veteran. In this post, we explore the three core programs that are changing lives—and how they could change yours.
Why Veteran Transition Programs Are Essential
The need for effective veteran transition programs has never been greater. Every year, thousands of military service members leave the armed forces and struggle to reintegrate into civilian life. Beyond employment, they grapple with:
Loss of identity
Relationship strain
Mental and emotional stress
Financial instability
Lack of purpose
These challenges demand a solution that goes beyond resumes and job boards. That’s where Camp Southern Ground excels. Their veteran transition programs address the whole person, blending strengths-based coaching, mental wellness, and peer support into transformative experiences.
Meet the Mission-Driven Leader: Lacy Gunnoe
Lacy Gunnoe
On a recent episode of the VET S.O.S. Military Transition Resources Show, hosts Shawn Welsh and Keith Cassant sat down with Lacy Gunnoe, Director of Veteran Wellbeing Programs at Camp Southern Ground.
A retired U.S. Air Force officer with over 22 years of service, Lacy has walked the transition path himself. He’s a decorated command pilot, former assistant professor, and an advocate who understands the complexity of military transition firsthand.
“Transition is an ecosystem,” Lacy said during the interview. “Your family transitions with you—your spouse, your kids. It’s not just about you.”
Inside Camp Southern Ground’s Veteran Transition Programs
Camp Southern Ground offers three unique veteran transition programs, each designed to address different stages and aspects of post-military life.
1. Warrior Week: Reclaim Your Purpose
Warrior Week is a 5-day immersive experience that helps veterans rediscover who they are and where they’re going. Powered by Gallup’s CliftonStrengths and the Gallup Wellbeing Index, Warrior Week teaches veterans how to align their personal strengths, values, and goals to build a fulfilling life after service.
“It’s not a retreat,” Lacy explains. “It’s an attack on your purpose.”
Key components of Warrior Week include:
CliftonStrengths coaching and feedback
Emotional well-being and resilience workshops
Family and social relationship building
Goal setting based on individual values
Facilitated peer conversations and team-building
Veterans come away from Warrior Week with a personalized action plan and renewed clarity about their life mission.
2. Warrior PATH: The Journey of Post-Traumatic Growth
Warrior PATH (Progressive and Alternative Training for Healing) is a nationally recognized program built on the principles of post-traumatic growth. Unlike clinical models that focus on what’s “wrong,” Warrior PATH emphasizes transformation, strength, and community.
This non-clinical, peer-led program provides tools and a safe space for veterans to:
Process trauma
Discover meaning in past experiences
Reframe identity
Reconnect with themselves and others
As Lacy shared on the podcast, “Sometimes we just need to hear someone say, ‘I’ve been where you are, and there’s a way through.’ That’s what PATH offers.”
3. Warrior Family Camp: Healing Together
Camp Southern Ground understands that transition affects the entire family. That’s why they created Warrior Family Camp, a weekend-long program that helps families reconnect, decompress, and rebuild stronger bonds.
At Warrior Family Camp, veterans and their families enjoy:
Outdoor adventures and family bonding activities
Meals prepared from the camp’s 11-acre organic garden
Wellness education tailored to family dynamics
Opportunities to disconnect from devices and reconnect with each other
The program is especially valuable for families who’ve experienced frequent moves, long deployments, or post-service stress.
“When one veteran attends all three of our programs and then sends their kids to summer camp,” Lacy shared, “you’re not just supporting the individual—you’re uplifting the whole family system.”
Real Lives, Real Results
Camp Southern Ground’s veteran transition programs are producing measurable, meaningful change in the lives of veterans and their families.
Meet Carson. A 22-year-old veteran with no clear direction after discharge, Carson attended Warrior Week. During the program, he discovered a passion for working with dogs. Within months, he completed a K9 handler program, became certified, and was hired to train dogs for narcotic and explosive detection. His transformation was fueled by purpose—and it started with Warrior Week.
Then there’s Mario. A Vietnam-era veteran looking to make the final years of his life count. He brought decades of wisdom to his Warrior Week group, mentoring younger veterans and reinvigorating his own sense of value. Now deeply involved in nonprofit service, Mario is a powerful example of contribution in action.
Beyond the Classroom: A Campus Built for Transformation
Located on 411 scenic acres in Georgia, Camp Southern Ground is more than just a program provider—it’s a physical space designed for breakthrough. Veterans engage in both classroom sessions and experiential outdoor activities including:
A three-tier confidence course and mega zip line
Nature-based mindfulness and grounding
Team-based challenges that foster trust and community
Shared meals and storytelling around campfires
It’s a place where emotional growth, personal strength, and community-building happen simultaneously.
No Cost. No Catch. No Excuses.
All veteran transition programs at Camp Southern Ground are provided at no cost to the veteran. This includes:
Program tuition
Travel expenses (flights, gas, etc.)
Lodging and meals
The only exception is Warrior Family Camp, which requires a refundable deposit to hold your spot. Once you show up, the deposit is returned.
“The heaviest lift is just walking through the door,” says Lacy. “Once you’re here, we’ve got the rest covered.”
Who’s Eligible?
Camp Southern Ground welcomes:
Active-duty service members within 2 years of separation
Recently transitioned veterans
Veterans who’ve struggled for years post-transition
Advocates and caregivers seeking alignment and growth
All you need is a DD-214 and the willingness to explore your next chapter.
Ready to Start?
Whether you're two years from separation or still struggling ten years after discharge, these veteran transition programs are designed for you.
🔗 Apply now at CampSouthernGround.org
📧 Contact Lacy: [email protected]
Final Thoughts: Veteran Transition Is a Journey — Not a Job Search
Effective veteran transition programs don’t just prepare you for a career—they prepare you for life. They help you answer questions like:
Who am I now?
What matters most to me?
How can I serve again—this time with purpose?
Camp Southern Ground isn’t offering a resume workshop. They’re offering a launchpad to the life you were meant to live.
If you’re ready to discover your strengths, reclaim your purpose, and connect with others on the same journey, these veteran transition programs are where it begins.
