
Blog
Recent Stories
Witnessing Mozambique a Few Weeks After a Cyclone
Greyshirt Norman Corson reflects on being humbled and inspired during Team Rubicon’s first Type One Emergency Medical Team – Mobile operation.
A “Swiss Army Knife in the Field” Named Volunteer Leader of Year
A disaster response volunteer who served everywhere from the Navajo Nation to Haiti took home Team Rubicon’s 2022 Leader of the Year award.
Disaster Responders Earn Leadership Awards
Volunteers known for GSD were recognized at Team Rubicon’s annual leadership conference.
MREs, Tarping, and Meeting a Superhero in Puerto Rico
When Hurricanes Maria and Irma hit her homeland, a Team Rubicon volunteer stepped up for her first disaster relief deployment. Then, her mother arrived.
10 Easy Disaster Prep Steps to Take Today
How individuals may be able to reduce their own risk in the event of a disaster and make recovering from one more manageable.
Finding Purpose in a Slightly Worn Soccer Ball
A newly-minted Greyshirt reflects on what it’s like to serve on an Afghan resettlement operation, and getting a lesson that endures.
Reflections
The 91-Day Greyshirt
How I went from sign-up to the Navajo Nation’s longest-serving volunteer in just three months. We all have our own Team Rubicon journey. Mine goes from thinking I didn’t belong to becoming a comms lead in a matter of months. I grew up wanting to serve in the military. My father was a Marine, … Read More
A Vietnam Veteran Reflects On Service, Then and Now
Team Rubicon Greyshirt John Ruehle reveals why he joined the Marines, being injured in battle, and how and why he serves his country in 2020.
Finding the Tribe That Always Has Your Back
Vietnam veteran Mahlon Mason reflects on military service then, service to country now, and belonging to the TRibe that always has his six.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves Matter
Applying for the Clay Hunt Fellowship Program (CHFP) was something I felt that I needed to do. As a black woman and a U.S. Marine, I am always conscious of the systemic racism my fellow Americans and I have experienced, even after fighting for and serving our country. But, I also needed help transitioning from … Read More
Care during COVID-19: A Physician’s Greyshirt Experience
It was late in the evening after another busy shift in the emergency department. I grabbed my bag, a now-cold cup of coffee, and headed towards my car. I was physically and emotionally drained, but as I flipped through news articles, all centered on the COVID crisis, I wished I could do more. The week … Read More
Finding Father Figures in Grey—and Man Glitter
On her first operation as a sawyer, one Greyshirt planned to sit back, be a spotter, and let the guys make the chips fly. Two Greyshirts ruined that plan. Lucy Loftus reflects on finding father figures in Team Rubicon.
History & Culture
A “Swiss Army Knife in the Field” Named Volunteer Leader of Year
A disaster response volunteer who served everywhere from the Navajo Nation to Haiti took home Team Rubicon’s 2022 Leader of the Year award.
Disaster Responders Earn Leadership Awards
Volunteers known for GSD were recognized at Team Rubicon’s annual leadership conference.
The Birth of Team Rubicon’s Grey Shirt
Team Rubicon’s co-founder reveals the inspiration and meaning behind Team Rubicon’s modest grey uniform.
With Pride, Selma Soldiers On
The city instrumental to civil rights in America continues to fight for its legacy and its future.
A Legacy of Courage Under Fire
In honor of Black History Month, Team Rubicon recognizes America’s Black firefighters who overcame prejudice and systemic racism to protect their communities.
A Legacy of Service and Integrity
In honor of Black History Month, Team Rubicon recognizes Julius Becton Jr., a decorated veteran and the first Black director of FEMA, for his contributions to the field of emergency management.
Stories of Service
Soot, Sawing, and the Chance to Serve One Who Served
For National Volunteer Week, three volunteers reflect on time spent helping a Midwest community recover from a rare and deadly wildfire.
The Birth of Team Rubicon’s Grey Shirt
Team Rubicon’s co-founder reveals the inspiration and meaning behind Team Rubicon’s modest grey uniform.
A Midwest Deployment, and an Extreme Double Date
Two married couples and one engaged couple serve on the same Team Rubicon strike team together during Operation Heartlander, in Nebraska.
To Volunteer on Thanksgiving, It’s Chainsaws Over Forks
Nine Team Rubicon volunteers on why they spend their holidays doing disaster relief—and how they give thanks while in the grey.
Finding Hope on Church Street
A Greyshirt who responded to Hurricanes Laura and Delta in Lake Charles, LA, reflects on the homeowner who gave him the gift of a lifetime.
Above and Beyond: Veteran Volunteers Go From Sawyers to First Responders
While doing disaster relief in Texas, a Greyshirt saw team takes on a tarping job and ends up saving a life.
COVID-19
Volunteer Returns to Home and Service at the Navajo Nation
A member of the Big Water Clan finds community and the chance to serve within the four sacred mountains.
To End Vaccine Hesitancy, Rely on America’s Most Reliable
In America, veterans hold the key to ending the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vaccination Volunteer Gets Needled by a Friend
While helping stand up a mass vaccination clinic in Portland, one Greyshirt gets vaccinated by another.
Here Come the Reinforcements
Vaccinated and free to serve again, formerly at-risk disaster relief volunteers get back to heavy lifting.
Mid-Deployment, Responding to a Different Type of Disaster
When two Team Rubicon volunteers assisting with Hurricane Sally relief stop to assist a motorist in need, a life is saved.
What to Expect When Volunteering at a Vaccination Clinic
Ever wonder what really happens at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic? Team Rubicon volunteers tell all and explain what to expect when volunteering.
Partner News
Beyond the Veterans Day Discounts, Corporations Find Ways to Engage Veterans
From talent software that translates military experience to paid time off for volunteer service, these five companies offer unique programs for veterans.
Corporate Volunteers Heed the Call of Disaster Relief
From rebuilding hurricane-damaged homes to building resilient cities, how individuals and groups can use service to improve communities and corporate social responsibility.
Vaccines, Veterans, and the Chance to Serve Again
Six veteran organizations on how, and why, they united to help vaccinate America.
Team Rubicon and PXG Announce “Two Million Dollar Challenge” for Hurricane Laura Relief
Los Angeles, CA (September 4, 2020) – Team Rubicon, a veteran-led disaster relief organization, announced today a “Two-Million Dollar Challenge” for its Hurricane Laura relief effort. The challenge was issued by PXG founder and CEO Bob Parsons, a U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam War Veteran. Through PXG, a company dedicated to developing high-performance golf equipment and … Read More
“Trust” and the Incredible Impact it Drives
How unrestricted funding helps Team Rubicon meet dynamic needs.
New Partnership Drives Disaster and Coronavirus Relief Efforts
With help from Hertz, volunteers travel thousands of miles to deliver meals and COVID-19 medical aid during the first six months of 2020.
From the Field
Witnessing Mozambique a Few Weeks After a Cyclone
Greyshirt Norman Corson reflects on being humbled and inspired during Team Rubicon’s first Type One Emergency Medical Team – Mobile operation.
MREs, Tarping, and Meeting a Superhero in Puerto Rico
When Hurricanes Maria and Irma hit her homeland, a Team Rubicon volunteer stepped up for her first disaster relief deployment. Then, her mother arrived.
Finding Purpose in a Slightly Worn Soccer Ball
A newly-minted Greyshirt reflects on what it’s like to serve on an Afghan resettlement operation, and getting a lesson that endures.
In Guyana, Volunteering as a Medical Educator Becomes a Career High
In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’re sharing the reflection of a Greyshirt who deployed to Guyana with Team Rubicon on a humanitarian aid operation, and the lessons she learned.
Reflections On Returning to the Navajo Nation
For National Volunteer Week, Greyshirts reflect on recent time serving the Diné people.
Soot, Sawing, and the Chance to Serve One Who Served
For National Volunteer Week, three volunteers reflect on time spent helping a Midwest community recover from a rare and deadly wildfire.
CHFP
Meet the First Cadre of 2022 Clay Hunt Fellows
Team Rubicon inducts 12 U.S. military veterans into Base Camp 9
The Journey has Begun for Fellows of the CHFP Base Camp 8
Fellows of the Base Camp 8 cohort of Team Rubicon’s fellowship program for military veterans are stepping off on a professional development and self discovery journey. Meet the veteran fellows.
Introducing the New Clay Hunt Fellows Program Logo
In 2011, Team Rubicon decided to honor how early-Greyshirt and Marine Corps veteran Clay Hunt committed his life to serving others by creating the Clay Hunt Fellows Program. Since then, the Program has evolved and grown in countless ways, including to more than 150 Fellows graduated. After a decade of service, and as the Program … Read More
Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces Base Camp Seven
Team Rubicon selects 14 veterans for fellowships.
Meet the Clay Hunt Fellows of Base Camp 6
Welcome these 12 military veteran Greyshirts as they embark on a six-month curriculum of self-discovery and leadership training.
Greyshirts Roll Out to Address Ignored Hurricane Survivors
“I thought of the family being disappointed a fourth time,” says Greyshirt Eric Dunn, “I couldn’t let that happen.”
In the Grey
From Volunteering for Wildfire Cleanup to Until Death Do Us Part
A lucky second chance, a discovery of shared core values, and one incident commander in a kilt unites a pair of Greyshirts.
Their Meet Cute? A Flood
For two Team Rubicon volunteers, stepping into the arena turns into a lifetime commitment.
Love in the Disaster Relief Air
For Valentine’s Day, Team Rubicon looks back on some of our favorite love stories—conventional and not.
A Midwest Deployment, and an Extreme Double Date
Two married couples and one engaged couple serve on the same Team Rubicon strike team together during Operation Heartlander, in Nebraska.
To Volunteer on Thanksgiving, It’s Chainsaws Over Forks
Nine Team Rubicon volunteers on why they spend their holidays doing disaster relief—and how they give thanks while in the grey.
A Greyshirt Pays Tribute on Veterans Day, and Every Day
A veteran’s small gesture honors a fallen friend every time he serves.
Education
10 Easy Disaster Prep Steps to Take Today
How individuals may be able to reduce their own risk in the event of a disaster and make recovering from one more manageable.
A Legacy of Courage Under Fire
In honor of Black History Month, Team Rubicon recognizes America’s Black firefighters who overcame prejudice and systemic racism to protect their communities.
Hispanic Americans Leave Legacy of Service to Military
From the legendary Rough Riders to a woman who dressed as a man to fight in the Civil War, LatinX citizens made sizeable contributions to U.S. defense.
Five Hispanic Leaders Who Made an Impact on US Military and Humanitarianism
Meet five Hispanic Americans whose legendary service has shaped the military and humanitarian relief.
After a Hurricane, Learning to Recover and Move On
A Houston man talks about surviving Harvey. Plus, five tips for hurricane preparedness.
I Survived a Flood, This is What I Wish I Had Known
Seven tips for preparing for and surviving a flood.