Amanda Gomes enrolled at Texas State University after being medically discharged from the Marine Corps. The former aviation ordinance U.S. Marine was unprepared for the adjustment.
“When I first transitioned to college, I didn’t know anyone,” Gomes said. “I went to a military-connected student’s social, hoping I would find other female friends, but I was the only female to show up.”
Gomes is a first-generation Brazilian American college student and a Marine Corps veteran diagnosed with anxiety, depression and PTSD from military sexual trauma (MST). According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 13% of female veterans experience PTSD post-service, which is significantly higher than the rate among male veterans. Gomes said she realized the disparities between active duty and veteran access to mental health services and other resources through her own military experiences.
VetRecOutdoors is an organization that aims to improve the lives of veterans by introducing them to the therapeutic benefits of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, fly-fishing and camping. These activities can help to reduce the effects of everyday stress and even PTSD. Veterans are encouraged to learn outdoor skills such as fly-fishing techniques, trail navigation, or camping setups, which offer therapeutic value and practical skills for future outdoor adventures. Gomes, a volunteer outdoor leader, shared that she joined the organization to support other females who may need someone to talk to during these activities.
“I had problems accessing the mental health professional I needed during my military service and transition to civilian life,” Gomes said. “I got out of the military determined to become the support I and other veterans require.”
Army veteran Emily Rios said telling her parents she wanted to join the military as the family’s only daughter was challenging. Still, adjusting to the career’s physical and mental challenges was the most difficult part.
“It’s hard being a woman in the military,” Rios said. “It goes beyond the physical challenges. They aim to build you up, help you find your inner strength, and teach you to succeed in the Army and everyday life.”
Rios worked as a U.S. Army human resources specialist. She deployed to the Middle East twice. While overseas, Rios attended community college online to pursue an associate degree in fine arts.
“The obstacle course, qualifying at the range and taking the combat fitness test is nothing compared to what you deal with mentally and spiritually,” Rios said. “Ever since I left the military, I have tried to stay active and be outdoors as much as possible with my dog. She loves going on hikes! It’s beneficial for me and her.”
Rios deployed for the second time to Kuwait, where she continued to take online classes. After she returned home, she decided to transfer to Texas State as a junior and pursue a degree in marketing. Like many veterans, Rios has faced ongoing mental health challenges after her service. Veterans have a significantly higher risk of experiencing depression or PTSD compared to civilians. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, studies indicate that veterans are two to five times more likely to develop depression than the general population.
“The military showed me good and bad things,” Rios said, remembering all the challenging times she and her peers encountered during training. “But the best thing I got from the military is that I am now physically and mentally tough.”
U.S. Army Sgt. Marlene Gonzalez, a finance specialist assigned to Joint Force Headquarters in Austin, said that the ability to join the United States Army as a woman is a valuable opportunity, but she wouldn’t let anyone from her family join the military.
“As a woman in the military, the hardest thing for me was adjusting to the environment,” Gonzalez said. “In the Army, we’re taught to adapt and overcome. But it’s hard to do so when you’re a female doing a man’s job surrounded by men.”
Gonzalez graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in finance while serving as a finance specialist in the Army National Guard. She returned to school to earn a master’s degree in accountancy shortly after returning from a deployment in Djibouti, Africa.
Gonzalez said that military experience can shape someone’s life by fostering self-reliance and forming lasting relationships.
“I am glad I joined the Army,” Gonzalez said. “I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t because of the military, but I wouldn’t want my daughter to endure everything I had to tolerate. Now, I try to spend time outside and heal from things I haven’t told anyone so I can be the best version of myself for my daughter.”
Gomes said she volunteers every Thursday morning to lead a hike exclusively for female veterans, regardless of the weather or if nobody shows up.
“I think the reason why female veterans don’t show up to the events is because they don’t want to be reminded of what they went through in the military,” Gomes said. “I show up every Thursday morning no matter what, just in case someone who needs someone to talk to shows up.”
Gomes is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in social work with an expected graduation date in December. After graduation, she wants to go straight into graduate school.
For more information about veteran outdoor activities, visit Vet Rec Outdoors.
Outdoor leader Amanda Gomes and veteran graduate student Cittlaly Escatel share a moment after the female veterans’ hike. (Photo by Amanda Gomes). 
Christian Hawley, Blake Holbrook, Benjamin Lowther, and Erik Larsen stop for a picture along the Purgatory Creek route to highlight the camaraderie developed via outdoor therapy. 
A majestic buck pauses on the trail — a reminder of the wild beauty accompanying every step in nature’s healing embrace. 
From this perspective, the expansive sky and winding trail reflect Benjamin Lowther’s journey toward peace and healing. 
Andres Ramirez and his husky, Athena, share the trail and the joy of outdoor therapy. Nature’s peace strengthens the bond between a veteran and his loyal companion. 
As the camera shows their climb from below, Blake Holbrook, Benjamin Lowther, and Erik Larsen push forward, reflecting the will that outdoor therapy fosters. 
Benjamin Lowther walks the trail, a reminder that healing can happen together and alone. 
Highlighting the steady rhythm of Christian Hawley, Blake Holbrook, Benjamin Lowther, and Erik Larsen’s steps — a symbol of progress, one step at a time. 
A surprise encounter with a deer in the forest reminds the group of the beauty and tranquility found in nature. Moments like these make every hike unforgettable. 
From the mountaintop, Christian Hawley, Blake Holbrook, Benjamin Lowther, and Erik Larsen’s path spreads ahead, highlighting both the journey’s difficulties and benefits. 
A delicate spider rests on its web along the trail, a reminder of the intricate beauty found in nature’s most minuscule details. These moments invite us to pause and appreciate the present.
The VA’s Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC) emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of nature engagement. This graph shows the significant benefit of outdoor activities on veteran’s mental health. Activities such as kayaking, camping, and hiking demonstrate the therapeutic benefits of being in nature. These findings are consistent with testimonials from soldiers who credit such programs with lowering PTSD symptoms and improving their overall well-being. Physical activity, connection with nature, and social dynamics combine to produce a supportive atmosphere that promotes healing and resilience.
The infographic highlights the VetRec Outdoors Trail Challenge, showcasing key details like event goals, participant benefits, and how veterans can join. It visually captures the essence of adventure, community, and personal growth through outdoor exploration.
Social Media Posts:
