Gary Waddington

LCDC

I was born and raised in Pennsville, New Jersey, where I enjoyed playing sports, fishing, and spending time on the water. I graduated from Pennsville High School in 2004 and enlisted in the United States Army in 2006 as an Infantryman. During my military career, I was stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia; Fort Riley, Kansas; Baumholder, Germany; and Fort Bliss, Texas. I completed four combat deployments, including two tours in Iraq (2007-2008 and 2009-2010) and two tours in Afghanistan (2011-2012 and 2014-2015). After serving honorably for ten years, I separated from the Army in 2016. Following my military service, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University. Today, I enjoy following all Philadelphia sports teams, working in my yard, fishing, and spending quality time with my wife, Rebecca.

My Why

As a veteran, I have faced my own struggles with addiction and mental health, and I have lost friends and fellow veterans to addiction and suicide. Those experiences showed me how important it is to have people in your corner when you’re fighting those battles. Working at Warriors Heart gives me the opportunity to give back, connect with others who understand that lifestyle, and help people see that recovery and a better life are possible. This is what keeps me motivated every day.