About
Geoffrey Walker
Navy Master Chief, Ret
There is a very fine line between disordered eating and eating disorders. Disordered eating can be found everywhere within the service at all ranks. We see this during the PFA cycle notifications and during CPO season every year. Fad diets, excessive exercising, intermittent fasting, starvation diets, etc can be found up and down the ranks and these behaviors place service members on a slippery slope to develop serious, long-term eating disorders. Eating disorders are a coping mechanism that are incredibly secretive, easy to hide, and if anything will help accelerate your career through the appearance of fitness and making weight.
That constant desire to achieve perfection will often externally manifest itself in extremely high performance professionally, making it difficult to identify. I have encountered numerous senior leaders that have developed eating disorders well into their careers. They suffer in silence, in order to continue to lead and take our ships to sea, using a coping mechanism that, although unhealthy and incredibly dangerous, secretly pushes them to the highest ranks of our Navy.
About
Rebekah Hogan
Registered Nurse / Navy Spouse
Facing challenges is part of being a veteran's spouse, but none have been as tough as watching our teenage daughter deal with serious health and weight issues.
Our daughter has spent many months in hospitals over the last few years, often times requiring feeding tubes. During these hard times, Sea Waves has been our beacon of hope, offering consistent support and necessary resources. The organization's kind-hearted approach and deep understanding of military family challenges have made a significant positive impact on our lives, guiding us through our most challenging moments.
Sea Waves has truly been our saving grace throughout this journey.
Carrie Hammond
Navy Master Chief
All it took was a panic attack to change the course of my life. Up until that point, I was the “Senior Chief” always working hard, hard charging, setting the standard everywhere I went. There was little room for error in my world. My bosses loved me, my Sailors respected me. Up until the day of my panic attack not a single person knew the truth.
The truth is that Senior Chief had an eating disorder. ED’s are a lethal drug that the Navy can’t test for. Disordered eating is rampant and often encouraged in the military.
It is a gateway drug to an eating disorder.
Eating disorders do not discriminate. They affect all ranks and people of all shapes and sizes.
It is time to face this problem head on. I came clean with my eating disorder not just for my personal health but to show others that it is ok to come out of hiding and fight for recovery. I feel an obligation to the Sailors that follow me to be their voice and help the situation the best I can.
Austin Otocki
Army Major
" As an officer in the U.S. Army, I have faced the difficult journey of recovering from disordered eating, a challenge that has been uniquely isolating within the context of my military career.
Throughout my experience, I have encountered significant barriers in accessing the tailored support and resources essential for addressing my specific needs. It is evident that many individuals within the service are silently battling similar struggles, highlighting the importance to provide resources and education related to eating disorders, disordered eating, and low energy availability. I firmly believe that as leaders, it is our solemn duty to prioritize the well-being of our personnel by providing comprehensive education, training, and resources to support them through every aspect of their health journey. By acknowledging and addressing the prevalence of these issues within our ranks, we have the power to foster a culture of understanding, empathy, and proactive care. Let us stand together, united in our commitment to creating a supportive environment where every individual feels seen, heard, and empowered to seek the help they deserve. It is time for us to step up, initiate change, and lead by example in prioritizing the holistic health and wellness of those under our command and to our flanks"
Yvonne Tuffner
Army Veteran / Eating Disorder Warrior
"Sea Waves is helping me find myself. They are helping me find a place where I belong. Eating Disorders are not a joke. We need help."
Meagan McDowell,
Writer/ Navy Spouse
Dealing with an eating disorder can feel lonely. I know because I felt that way while I was fighting anorexia. Now, I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to volunteer with SEA WAVES, to help raise awareness and to offer support to those who need it.