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Navy veteran Joe Musselman spent years training as a SEAL before a spinal injury forced him out of the military. Despite his elite training and experience, he found there was no clear process or roadmap to help him redefine his mission after service. Six years ago, Musselman recalled a conversation with a newly retired Navy SEAL that, combined with his own experience, became the inspiration for e Honor Foundation, which Musselman founded in 2014. For America's most elite warriors, service is never a job. It is a calling, an identity, and a way of life forged through sacrifice, discipline, and shared purpose. But when the uniform comes off, whether due to retirement or injury, that identity disappears overnight. For thousands of Special Operations Forces (SOF) each year, the transition to civilian life is less a homecoming than entry into uncharted territory. Nearly half a million active-duty service members and veterans live in San Diego County, and one of the greatest challenges they face is making a successful transition into civilian life once their service is complete. Many organizations across the region are working to address this issue, and one notable success story is e Honor Foundation, which has grown remarkably since its founding. "We've gone from four campuses to 12 campuses, including two virtual campuses," says Kelly McGraw, the foundation's chief impact officer, who is married to a retired Navy SEAL and who has been with the organization since 2020. "We've also more than doubled the number of individuals and families we serve on each campus." Still headquartered in San Diego, the foundation has expanded nationwide, with sites in locations accessible to special operations of all branches of the military. "Our target audience is active duty who've made the decision to separate or retire and are 12 to 18 months before that date," says McGraw. Focus military << COURTESY PHOTOGRAPHY ranchandcoast.com 46 APRIL 2026 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE