In 2006, Joel McDaniel launched OHT Outfitters, a North Carolina based outdoor nonprofit ministry. In 2008, Joel received an email from a chaplain on his 1st deployment to Iraq asking if OHT could send fishing equipment because he had access to lakes that Saddam had stocked with exotic fish. Fishing was a great outlet from the stresses of war. This showed him the power of partnership with chaplains and validated the therapeutic power of outdoor ministry.
In 2013, OHT Outfitters became Operation Resolute® and began focusing exclusively on active duty military, developing a network of partnering chaplains in the Army, Air Force, and USMC. What began with sending fishing equipment to one chaplain in a war zone has expanded to include year-round resiliency opportunities that also include military spouses and children.
Thank you Operation Resolute® for putting this together for our Soldiers. It will be a day we will always remember and cannot thank you enough for your generous contributions to our military. And a special thanks to the crew and especially to the captain of the Triple S, Todd Smith, who kept us on fish all day and a monster at the very end! Thank you for your unwavering support of our Soldiers.
— Army Master Sergeant
WE’RE CELEBRATING 7 YEARS!
In the highlights below, you’ll see a few of the events that have provided dozens of chaplains with opportunities to serve thousands of servicemen and their families.
OCTOBER 2013
Operation Resolute® hosted its first event at Leon Tuttle’s farm.
OCTOBER 2014
Operation Resolute® holds its first family day at the North Carolina Zoo for 350 active duty servicemen and family members.
JANUARY 2015
An Arkansas duck hunt was our first event with Army chaplains.
JULY 2016
Operation Resolute® partners with two chaplains in a Tier 1 Special Operations Group to provide a daddy/daughter dance.
MAY 2017
Operation Resolute® offers its first spouse support day at the Spa at Pinehurst.
2018
Operation Resolute® provides 35 separate outdoor events for 15 different chaplains.
2019
Operation Resolute® works with chaplains serving the USMC to provide a weekend marriage retreat.
2020
Operation Resolute® and Buchanan Schoals sponsored a quail hunt for a 3rd Special Forces group leadership retreat.
Thank you Operation Resolute® for putting this together for our Soldiers. It will be a day we will always remember and cannot thank you enough for your generous contributions to our military. And a special thanks to the crew and especially to the captain of the Triple S, Todd Smith, who kept us on fish all day and a monster at the very end! Thank you for your unwavering support of our Soldiers.
— Army Master Sergeant
DO YOU WANT TO HELP OPERATION RESOLUTE® MAKE MORE OF AN IMPACT?
