Articles of Interest Gear Gear: Chapter 7
Dec 3, 2025
Stacey Baer, a veteran of Bosnia and Iraq, shares his powerful journey from military service to civilian life. He candidly discusses his struggles with addiction and suicidal thoughts but highlights how outdoor activities catalyzed his recovery. Stacey reveals his love for climbing as a form of therapy and describes founding a nonprofit to help fellow veterans connect with nature. The conversation touches on veteran homelessness, the disconnect between soldiers and civilians, and the importance of accessible outdoor experiences for healing.
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Keeping The Small Things
- Victoria Chamberlain kept only items that touched her skin after leaving the Army, like silkies and a thermal that look like civilian gear.
- She describes those items as comfortable, subtle, and indistinguishable from expensive outdoor brands.
A Clean Break With Uniforms
- Stacey Baer enlisted at 17 and loved being a soldier, but he felt alienated when the Army prioritized numbers over his unit's cohesion.
- He turned in gear on separation, keeping damaged items but ultimately discarded many uniforms to mark a definitive break from military life.
Struggling With Civilian Thanks
- Stacey describes returning home with trauma and self-medicating with drugs and alcohol while struggling to accept offers of help.
- He remembers feeling unworthy of kindness and frustrated by superficial civilian gratitude like "thank you for your service."
