From Battlefield to Boardroom: Gen. Kurilla's New Mission with OHF

TAMPA, Fla. – December 02, 2025 – After a decorated 38-year military career that culminated in leading United States Central Command (CENTCOM), retired U.S. Army General Michael "Erik" Kurilla is embarking on a new mission. Operation Healing Forces (OHF), a national nonprofit dedicated to the well-being of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) community, has announced Kurilla's appointment to its Board of Directors. The move brings one of the most respected military leaders of his generation into a direct role supporting the elite warriors he once commanded, signaling a significant strategic enhancement for the organization.

General Kurilla's appointment is more than a high-profile addition; it represents a fusion of unparalleled leadership experience with a deep, personal understanding of the sacrifices made by SOF personnel and their families. As a combat-wounded veteran himself, his transition from the highest echelons of military command to a non-profit boardroom is a profound statement of continued service to a community facing unique and complex challenges long after the battles are over.

A Commander's Insight

General Kurilla’s career is a chronicle of leadership at the "Tip of the Spear." Before overseeing U.S. military operations across the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of South Asia as CENTCOM Commander, he commanded some of the nation's most storied units, including the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the 75th Ranger Regiment. His extensive service also includes key roles within the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), placing him at the heart of the SOF world for decades.

This background provides him with an intimate familiarity with the relentless operational tempo and immense pressures faced by special operators. It's an experience that OHF leadership views as invaluable. "As a combat wounded veteran and highly respected leader within the Special Operations Forces community, General Kurilla brings both personal experience and deep empathy for the warriors and families we serve," said Kerry Irvin, Chief Executive Officer of Operation Healing Forces, in a statement. "His leadership and vision will help guide our continued work to meet the evolving needs of this extraordinary community."

That personal experience is not just a line on a biography. It’s a lived reality that builds immediate trust and credibility within a culture defined by "quiet professionalism," where asking for help is often the hardest battle.

Addressing the Unseen Wounds of Elite Warriors

The need for specialized support for the SOF community is acute and growing. Decades of sustained combat have taken a heavy toll, creating a constellation of physical and psychological challenges often referred to as "Operator Syndrome." This includes the cumulative effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), chronic pain from musculoskeletal damage, sleep disturbances, and profound mental health struggles like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety.

Research and reporting from military health experts show that SOF personnel face a higher risk of these conditions due to the intensity of their training and frequency of deployment. The cultural stigma against showing perceived weakness can prevent many from seeking care, leading to downstream crises involving substance abuse, family dysfunction, and tragically, suicide. These challenges extend beyond the individual operator, placing an immense burden on spouses, children, and caregivers who form the backbone of the SOF family support system.

This is the landscape in which Operation Healing Forces operates. The organization’s programs are specifically designed to address these multifaceted issues. Through therapeutic retreats that allow couples to reconnect away from daily stressors, mental health assistance, and an immediate needs program that provides a critical safety net during crises, OHF offers a lifeline. The organization has served over 13,500 individuals since its founding in 2011, focusing on restoring stability and fostering resilience.

A Strategic Infusion for a Vital Mission

General Kurilla’s appointment is poised to be a powerful force multiplier for OHF's strategic goals. The involvement of retired senior military officers on non-profit boards historically enhances credibility, expands networks, and boosts fundraising capabilities. For an organization like OHF, which already boasts a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and ensures 100% of donor contributions directly fund its programs by having its board cover all overhead costs, Kurilla's presence is an accelerant, not a course correction.

His extensive network spans the Department of Defense, various government agencies, and international partners. This could fortify existing partnerships, such as the one OHF maintains with U.S. Special Operations Command's Warrior Care Program, and forge new collaborations that expand resources for the SOF community.

OHF Founder and Chairman of the Board, Gary Markel, highlighted this strategic value, stating, "General Kurilla's leadership will help guide Operation Healing Forces in advancing vital programs that restore stability, strengthen families, and foster renewed purpose and resilience among America's Special Operations Forces."

For his part, General Kurilla expressed his conviction in the organization's effectiveness and its standing within the community he knows so well. "Operation Healing Forces has earned deep trust within the Special Operations community because it understands the challenges that warriors and their families face every day," Kurilla stated. "The organization is making a lasting difference in the lives of so many, and I look forward to building on that foundation to help expand the reach and impact of its mission." His commitment underscores a broader trend of elite military leaders transitioning their service from the battlefield to the non-profit sector, dedicating their post-uniform lives to healing the visible and invisible wounds of war.