Digging for Legacy: A Veteran MIA Recovery Mission with Colonel PJ Dermer
What if your post-military purpose wasn’t just about moving forward—but also about reaching back? That’s the mission Colonel PJ Dermer has embraced through Terra Search Promise, a veteran-led nonprofit on a mission to bring home America’s missing service members and offer veterans a renewed sense of purpose through meaningful service. In this episode of The Scoop, PJ offers a deeply moving and practical look at how Veteran MIA Recovery is more than history—it’s a call to action.
A Legacy That Doesn’t End at Retirement
Colonel PJ DermerColonel Dermer’s distinguished 30-plus-year career in the U.S. Army placed him in some of the world’s most volatile regions. From negotiating in war zones to managing strategic operations, he has served with distinction. But when retirement came, he—like many veterans—faced the question: “What now?”
Unlike many, PJ found his answer in an unexpected place: a remote island in the Pacific, sharing stories with members of a private organization who were recovering the remains of World War II Marines. That chance encounter sparked his journey into Veteran MIA Recovery—an effort that’s now become Terra Search Promise.
The Birth of Terra Search Promise
Terra Search Promise was born out of both passion and necessity. While PJ initially volunteered in recovery operations, he realized that veterans had a unique skill set that could be harnessed for this mission. He founded Terra Search as a small LLC, but quickly converted it into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit after realizing that donors and community partners preferred supporting a mission-aligned nonprofit organization.
Today, Terra Search is staffed by a network of highly skilled professionals—archaeologists, anthropologists, drone operators, medics, veterans, and civilian volunteers—all working together on recovery missions around the world. These are not symbolic gestures; they are rigorous, science-backed expeditions with one goal: find the missing and bring them home.
Why Veteran MIA Recovery Matters
As PJ explains, the United States still has over 70,000 service members unaccounted for, dating back to World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. While underwater recoveries pose enormous challenges, many of these remains lie on land, in remote and often hostile environments.
PJ sees Terra Search’s work as fulfilling the sacred national promise to never leave anyone behind. He emphasizes, “This isn’t just my promise. It’s America’s promise. We’re here to fulfill it.”
Each mission represents more than forensic recovery—it is a deeply human experience that brings closure to families who’ve spent decades waiting for answers. Sometimes, those answers come in the form of recovered remains. Other times, they come through painstaking analysis of wreckage, debris fields, and artifacts that paint the final picture of a fallen service member’s story.
For Veterans, A New Path to Serve
One of the most powerful aspects of Terra Search Promise is its impact on the veterans who participate in recovery missions. Many are in transition themselves—looking for purpose after the military, searching for something that mirrors the camaraderie and structure of service.
This is where Terra Search becomes more than a nonprofit—it becomes a blueprint for purpose. Veterans are brought into missions as researchers, site workers, medics, and logistics coordinators. There’s something for every skill level and background, from ground labor to tech-driven roles like drone piloting or radar analysis.
PJ puts it simply: “Get engaged. You don’t need to have it all figured out. But sitting around waiting for the perfect gig won’t get you anywhere. Volunteer. Contribute. Learn. That’s how you move forward.”
The Emotional Toll—and Why It’s Worth It
Recovery missions are emotionally heavy. At each site, Terra Search sets up a field version of the Missing Man Table—a solemn reminder of the mission’s gravity. Volunteers gather to acknowledge the sacrifice of the individual they’re searching for, often without knowing how the story will end.
PJ is transparent about the emotional weight he carries. He avoids family notifications and public ceremonies, not out of indifference, but out of emotional preservation. “I’ve got my own ghosts,” he says. “I want to give everything I have to the mission—but I also know my limits.”
Even with these challenges, the reward is profound. Each successful recovery brings dignity, closure, and remembrance—not only to families, but also to the volunteers who now feel more deeply connected to their own service and history.
Scaling the Mission: Why Support Is Urgent
Despite the power of its mission, Terra Search faces steep barriers. Recovery operations require Department of Defense approval, host nation cooperation, and detailed historical analysis. Budget constraints, seasonal weather, and global logistics make each mission a high-wire act of coordination.
PJ’s long-term goal is to scale operations to three to five missions per year, building a core team that can operate fluidly, reduce downtime between missions, and accelerate recoveries. But that vision requires both financial support and stronger buy-in from federal agencies.
“This can’t be business as usual,” PJ warns. “If we keep this pace, we’ll never finish the job. We owe it to the fallen and to their families to act with urgency.”
How You Can Support Veteran MIA Recovery
Here’s how the public—especially veterans and supporters—can help:
Volunteer: From labor to logistics, TerraSearch welcomes dedicated individuals with or without field experience. Veterans, students, and professionals are all encouraged to apply.
Donate: Every mission involves travel, equipment, training, and personnel costs. Donations go directly toward making recovery operations possible.
Raise Awareness: Share the mission with your network. Educate others on the importance of Veteran MIA Recovery and why it matters now more than ever.
🌐 Visit www.terrasearchmia.org to get involved.
Final Scoop: Advice for Transitioning Veterans
As The Scoop wrapped up, PJ left listeners with a heartfelt takeaway:
“Don’t wait for the Holy Grail job. Get into something—even if it’s unfamiliar. Just moving, just working, just connecting with people can open the doors you didn’t even know were there.”
In an era where too many veterans feel disconnected, Terra Search Promise offers a unique bridge—linking the past to the present, and forging a future built on service, remembrance, and resolve.
