By Tom Daley in From The Field
Blog
By in COVID-19
Meet the Medics in Grey Who Served the Navajo Nation
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By Teresa Carr in Innovation
Fighting Fire with Chainsaws
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By Stacy Thacker in COVID-19
Lockdowns, High Death Rates, and Life on the Navajo Nation Under COVID-19
Read the ArticleRecent Stories
From The Field
Randy René: Greyshirt, Coach, Force Multiplier
A Team Rubicon volunteer talks about serving at the Navajo Nation and his role on the Field Leadership Team.
COVID-19
Forward Watch, July 31
Greyshirts have helped facilitated roughly 75,000 COVID-19 tests. Learn where our next testing site will be.
COVID-19
Meet the Medics in Grey Who Served the Navajo Nation
Five of the 47 doctors, nurses, EMTs, and paramedics who volunteered at the Navajo Nation in Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic share their stories.
COVID-19
“Trust” and the Incredible Impact it Drives
How unrestricted funding helps Team Rubicon meet dynamic needs.
COVID-19
Forward Watch, July 24
Greyshirts have distributed over 24 million pounds of food to people impacted by COVID-19. Now, see where we’re launching our newest food support operations.
Innovation
Fighting Fire with Chainsaws
How a Texas community is using volunteer assistance and mitigation planning to take on its wildfire risk and snuff out flames before they ever spark.
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
History and Culture
Life, Liberty, and the Freedom to Serve
For the 4th of July, six veterans and Team Rubicon volunteers reflect on military experience, service-to-country, and the meaning of independence in 2020.
COVID-19
Team Rubicon Releases COVID-19 Icons as a Resource to Design Community
On the morning of Thursday, March 12, 2020, I headed to Team Rubicon Headquarters. As a graphic designer, I was ready to fire up my computer and hop into Adobe to begin creating our next social graphic, slide presentation, or web advertisement like I had every other day for the last seven months. I parked … Read More
From The Field
With “Step Into the Grey” Team Rubicon Delivers a New Podcast
A new bi-monthly podcast, “Step Into the Grey,” takes listeners behind the scenes of veteran-led disaster relief organization Team Rubicon.
COVID-19
Leading In (Novel) Crisis
Crisis situations test systems and capacity across all levels of government, the private sector, and our non-profit partners. The universal nature of a pandemic, puts extreme stress on systems and capacity, and we’re already seeing things bend—if not break—in areas that have otherwise proven robust. COVID-19 is stressing travel systems, health system capacities, and even the way we’re accustomed … Read More
COVID-19
Conquering Coronavirus Chaos
The United States has recently become completely overwhelmed with the chaos stemming from increasing infection rates and death stemming from novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Our stock market has collapsed, our public health system is overwhelmed, all levels of government are failing in their efforts to coordinate -and worse, communicate. The scenarios are nightmarish. One question that should … Read More
COVID-19
How Culture Can Lead During a Pandemic
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, culture matters.
Stories of Service
COVID-19
Meet the Medics in Grey Who Served the Navajo Nation
Five of the 47 doctors, nurses, EMTs, and paramedics who volunteered at the Navajo Nation in Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic share their stories.
History and Culture
Life, Liberty, and the Freedom to Serve
For the 4th of July, six veterans and Team Rubicon volunteers reflect on military experience, service-to-country, and the meaning of independence in 2020.
COVID-19
The Coronavirus, Cancer, and the Emergency Food Delivery People in Grey
In a new emergency food assistance program, a volunteer army is making emergency food deliveries to Americans with cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
COVID-19
How a Marine Infantryman Turned ER Doctor Is Using His Military Experience to Fight Coronavirus on the Front Lines
Onur Yenigun always wanted to practice medicine. He also wanted to serve his country. First he joined the U.S. Marine Corps. Now, he’s on a different kind of front line.
COVID-19
Greening, and Greying, Their Neighborhoods
Built to serve: These Greyshirts are taking their mission to neighbors’ lawns during the coronavirus pandemic.
In The Grey
A Midwest Deployment, and an Extreme Double Date
The second week of April, during Operation Heartlander in Bellevue, Nebraska, was unique for Team Rubicon: two married couples—the Ruestows and the Foxs—and one engaged couple were serving together, and all on the same strike team. Linda Ruestow, of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, joined Team Rubicon because she was looking for purpose after retiring from … Read More
COVID-19
COVID-19
Forward Watch, July 31
Greyshirts have helped facilitated roughly 75,000 COVID-19 tests. Learn where our next testing site will be.
COVID-19
Meet the Medics in Grey Who Served the Navajo Nation
Five of the 47 doctors, nurses, EMTs, and paramedics who volunteered at the Navajo Nation in Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic share their stories.
COVID-19
“Trust” and the Incredible Impact it Drives
How unrestricted funding helps Team Rubicon meet dynamic needs.
COVID-19
Forward Watch, July 24
Greyshirts have distributed over 24 million pounds of food to people impacted by COVID-19. Now, see where we’re launching our newest food support operations.
COVID-19
Forward Watch, July 17
See how Team Rubicon is digging in and continuing to serve communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
COVID-19
Lockdowns, High Death Rates, and Life on the Navajo Nation Under COVID-19
With the coronavirus raging on Diné lands, the people of the nation’s second-largest Native American tribe face unexpected losses and difficult choices.
Partner News
COVID-19
“Trust” and the Incredible Impact it Drives
How unrestricted funding helps Team Rubicon meet dynamic needs.
Partner News
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.
COVID-19
Volunteers Help Bring Coronavirus Testing Sites to California
Team Rubicon and Verily team up on their first coronavirus testing sites in California. The free coronavirus testing sites, located in LA, San Francisco, and Lake County, will expand across the state later this month.
Partner News
Penske Media Corporation Launches “Hail the Heroes” Initiative Alongside Team Rubicon to Raise Funds for COVID-19 Relief
May 7, 2020 (New York, NY) — Today, at 7pm ET, in a round of virtual applause, Penske Media Corporation (PMC) launched “Hail the Heroes,” a thank you initiative to raise funds for Team Rubicon and their efforts around the COVID-19 crisis. Leaders from across PMC’s portfolio of media brands, including Rolling Stone, Variety, WWD, and Deadline, have joined together with luminaries in the … Read More
COVID-19
Fighting Hunger with Feeding America
Yesterday, Team Rubicon announced a new partnership with Feeding America to ensure that families in vulnerable communities get the food and supplies they need throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Feeding America is a charitable network made up of over 200 individual member food banks with the goal of eliminating hunger in the U.S. Each year they provide roughly 4.3 billion free meals through community pantries and nutrition assistance programs that serve every county in the country. While we … Read More
COVID-19
Adapting to COVID-19 Livestream Recap
Earlier this week, David Burke, Team Rubicon’s vice president of programs and field operations, joined several other leaders from partner organizations for a webinar hosted by Katherine Boatwright at the National VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster). Across the United States, volunteer organizations are shifting their models and operations to best serve those impacted by … Read More
From the Field
From The Field
Randy René: Greyshirt, Coach, Force Multiplier
A Team Rubicon volunteer talks about serving at the Navajo Nation and his role on the Field Leadership Team.
From The Field
Virtual Training Makes a Real Impact for Disaster Relief Volunteers
To outwit a global pandemic, Team Rubicon adapts its online training resources.
COVID-19
Remote Volunteer Work Bridges the Gap, and Creates Connections for Neighbors in Need
Greyshirts combine Team Rubicon’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors initiative with some remote volunteer work to find new ways to serve their communities.
From The Field
Step Into the Grey, Episode #2: Lighting the Match with Kate Browne
On the second episode of Step Into the Grey, Team Rubicon’s new podcast made for and by Greyshirts, we speak with resident tech wizard and all-around badass Kate Browne. Her expertise and ability to see connections where others don’t has helped make TR the innovation-driven organization it is today. Browne shares her insights on owning personal connection to service and why that matters. You can find Step Into the Grey wherever you listen to podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, … Read More
From The Field
With “Step Into the Grey” Team Rubicon Delivers a New Podcast
A new bi-monthly podcast, “Step Into the Grey,” takes listeners behind the scenes of veteran-led disaster relief organization Team Rubicon.
From The Field
Coming Home From Harvey
More than two years after Hurricane Harvey struck Houston, a former math teacher returns home, with a special treat for the volunteers who helped her get there.
CHFP
CHFP
Meet the Newest Cohort of 2020 Clay Hunt Fellows
12 veterans will undertake six months of leadership and disaster response training as they become the newest cohort in the Clay Hunt Fellows Program.
CHFP
Team Rubicon Names New Cohort of 2020 Clay Hunt Fellows
Meet the 12 newest veterans to serve as Clay Hunt Fellows.
CHFP
Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program Announces a New Cohort
The Clay Hunt Fellows Program is a 6-month leadership and training program for veteran members of Team Rubicon. This program equips the veteran with tools to redefine their purpose and identity out of uniform for a life of continued service through a 6-month Base Camp curriculum of strengths discovery, self-awareness exploration, discussions, reading and self-reflection … Read More
CHFP
Big News From the Clay Hunt Fellows Program
The CHFP is rerouting its course to simplify and grow. We’re talking about a fellowship with a mission to challenge veterans who respond to disasters—yeah, that sounds like an easy task. Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program (CHFP), launched in 2012, is named in honor of original Greyshirt and Marine Corps veteran, Clay Hunt … Read More
CHFP
Meet the Newest Cohort of Team Rubicon’s Clay Hunt Fellows Program: Cohort 19-2(N)
The Clay Hunt Fellows Program (CHFP) was created in 2012 to increase volunteer engagement and to build leadership within Team Rubicon’s domestic disaster response initiatives. The program was inspired by Marine veteran and original TR member Clay Hunt (1982-2011), who embodied service, commitment, sacrifice, and loyalty. There is no time wasted in the twelve months the Fellows serve … Read More
CHFP
Houston Rebuild – CHFP Leads the Way
It’s a cold gray Saturday morning in Houston, Texas, which is, in my experience as a longtime Houstonian, a rarity. This town has a way of making everything seem sprawled and disjointed, and stepping out of my pickup, I feel the characteristically stark, apocalyptic vibe it can generate beyond the densely populated and urbanized Interstate … Read More
In the Grey
COVID-19
Meet the Medics in Grey Who Served the Navajo Nation
Five of the 47 doctors, nurses, EMTs, and paramedics who volunteered at the Navajo Nation in Arizona during the coronavirus pandemic share their stories.
Education
Fire on the Mountain—Or Not
At a disaster academy high in the mountains of Colorado, Team Rubicon volunteers learn to wield a saw, turn a skid steer, and prevent forest fires.
History and Culture
Life, Liberty, and the Freedom to Serve
For the 4th of July, six veterans and Team Rubicon volunteers reflect on military experience, service-to-country, and the meaning of independence in 2020.
COVID-19
Greyshirts Turn to Virtual Volunteering During the Coronavirus Pandemic
From chainsaw instructing to answering 211 calls, how four Team Rubicon volunteers tackled some very niche remote volunteer work during COVID-19.
In The Grey
Greyshirts Take on New Role: Father Figure
Some dads draft their kids into Team Rubicon’s volunteer ranks. Some kids draft their fathers instead. And some Greyshirts never get the chance to serve together, but find a father figure in the Team Rubicon’s volunteer ranks, instead. That’s what happened to Jazmin Marshall, Team Rubicon’s major gift officer for the Southeast territory. In 2019, … Read More
In The Grey
Fathers and Kids Prove Volunteering is in the Blood
Whenever Patrick and Ian Cobbs hit the road to deploy on a Team Rubicon operation, you can bet ’80s music will be blaring from the speakers. Ian has assembled a playlist specifically for this purpose, and every time he hears a song that he recognizes from “his father’s generation,” he adds it. Already they have … Read More
Education
Education
Fire on the Mountain—Or Not
At a disaster academy high in the mountains of Colorado, Team Rubicon volunteers learn to wield a saw, turn a skid steer, and prevent forest fires.
Education
Water Event Safety Tips
Have an Emergency Plan: When disaster strikes, it’s important to already have an emergency plan in place. Communicate with your family and neighbors ahead of time on resources, medicine, and anything else you might need in the worst-case scenario. Follow Instructions of Local Authorities: If requested by local authorities, evacuate early. Follow existing CDC guidelines on proper … Read More
COVID-19
Leading In (Novel) Crisis
Crisis situations test systems and capacity across all levels of government, the private sector, and our non-profit partners. The universal nature of a pandemic, puts extreme stress on systems and capacity, and we’re already seeing things bend—if not break—in areas that have otherwise proven robust. COVID-19 is stressing travel systems, health system capacities, and even the way we’re accustomed … Read More
COVID-19
Conquering Coronavirus Chaos
The United States has recently become completely overwhelmed with the chaos stemming from increasing infection rates and death stemming from novel coronavirus, otherwise known as COVID-19. Our stock market has collapsed, our public health system is overwhelmed, all levels of government are failing in their efforts to coordinate -and worse, communicate. The scenarios are nightmarish. One question that should … Read More
COVID-19
How Culture Can Lead During a Pandemic
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, culture matters.
COVID-19
How We’re Monitoring, and Preparing for, the Coronavirus
Disaster relief organization Team Rubicon monitors the COVID-19 epidemic and looks at how to protect against coronavirus transmission.