Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Krotzer.
Hi Mark, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born in 1979 and raised in Burkburnett, Texas, by my mother, who worked multiple jobs to support our family. I’m the father of two teenage daughters whom I co-parent with my ex-wife, and they keep me grounded and motivated.
I enlisted in the United States Army in 1999 and served until 2008, with assignments in Oklahoma and Colorado and deployments to Bosnia, South Korea, and Iraq. My service shaped my values of resilience, teamwork, and dedication to others. I later served 17 years as a Department of Defense firefighter for the U.S. Air Force. Although injuries are ending that career, my commitment to service continues.
My wife, a former bomb technician and fellow combat veteran, and I are both students at Midwestern State University. I am majoring in Marketing with a minor in Nonprofit Leadership, focusing on strengthening veteran- and first-responder-focused nonprofits. For the past 6–7 years, I’ve written grants and volunteered with organizations that serve these communities. I have helped facilitate ops, vetted veterans, and encouraged every combat veteran I know who’s struggling to reach out. My wife and I are currently board members for Home for Freedom. We are passionate and committed to serving America’s amazing veterans. My goal is to help them grow and expand their impact.
Outside of nonprofit work, we enjoy staying active through fitness, hiking, fishing, skydiving, and scuba diving.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Leaving the Army due to injuries was a very challenging period of my life. I remained committed to serve, but the Army thought differently. I returned from Iraq in 2006, and was newly married and had a young daughter. I knew very quickly I was mentally not well, I reached out for help. I however didn’t have a great support system and was forced to work to support my young family. I poured my heart and mind into college and landed a job in the federal fire system. I was trying to find community and brotherhood. I worked 2 and 3 jobs to provide a great life for my family. I however was dying in the I side, I no longer wanted to live like this and didn’t see a way out. My marriage ran it’s course, I was at rock bottom, and felt like a failure. As I sat at the fire station one Sunday, I dialed 988 and told them I was at the end of my rope. I showed up the next day and checked into outpatient therapy. Which was the day my life started over and begin to live for myself and thrive.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I enlisted in the United States Army in 1999 and served until 2008, with assignments in Oklahoma and Colorado and deployments to Bosnia, South Korea, and Iraq. My service shaped my values of resilience, teamwork, and dedication to others. I later served 17 years as a Department of Defense firefighter for the U.S. Air Force. Although injuries are ending that career, my commitment to service continues.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a single parent household, under very piversh conditions. Life was a struggle each and every day. I was a very shy kid, that would later find confidence in sports. I felt obligatedat a very young age to work and support my mom and I. While others played sports and hung out, I attended school and worked almost full-time. After high school I knew I had to find a way out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Homeforfreedom.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CAEWWcWRf/?mibextid=wwXIfr
