WWIA works to provide outdoor recreational therapeutic services for Purple Heart recipients and is comprised of 50 missions in 35 different states, as well as two foreign countries.
APOLLO BEACH, FL, February 12, 2024 /24-7PressRelease/ — John McDaniel has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Drawing from his own experiences in the U.S. Army, as well as his deep and abiding commitment to the health and wellness of America’s veterans, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) John McDaniel has distinguished himself as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation Inc. (WWIA). Established in 2007 as a national nonprofit veteran charity, WWIA works to provide outdoor recreational therapeutic services for Purple Heart recipients and is comprised of 50 missions in 35 different states, as well as two foreign countries. Well-regarded for its selfless accomplishments in supporting the mental health and wellness challenges facing veterans, WWIA was ranked first among more than 75 other military charities in program performance, staff support and client satisfaction by an independent survey conducted by R4 Alliance. The WWIA has earned numerous awards and accolades over the years including: membership in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC); Top-rated non-profit award winner, Great Non-Profits (since 2015); Field and Stream Hero for a Day Award winner (2012 & 2013); Every Day Hero Award, 2012 (Bay News 9); National Award winner, New Holland Tractor (2012); Member, America’s Best Charities (since 2012); Guide Star Platinum Transparency Award (since 2016); Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation Community Hero Award (2012); Outback Steak House Public Service Hero of the Year Award (2012); Newman’s Own Innovative Programs to Improve Military Quality of Live Award winner (2012); Milner 2015 technology Jumpstart your nonprofit award winner; and Non Profit Leadership Award winner SH/FT (2018).
John’s military career spanned the length of two decades. Beginning in 1985, he was commissioned via the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) while studying at the University of Wisconsin, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1986. Following this accomplishment, he proceeded to serve in various active duty roles between 1987 and 2007. During this time, he participated in the invasion of Panama in 1989, earning the Combat Infantryman Badge, and was later accepted as a member of the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Fort Benning, Georgia. After being promoted to the rank of Captain, John went on to serve as a Ranger Instructor. From there, he went on to hold multifaceted roles commanding troops at the company level, for the 1st Battalion 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (Airborne) and following that assignment, John commanded the 6th Infantry Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment, all while serving in Alaska. At the rank of Major, John served as the Chief of the Army Space Command’s Special Technical Operations, conducting counterspace operations in support of national objectives.
Resuming his academic efforts, John attended the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College (CGSC), from which he graduated in 2000. Additionally, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Baker University in 2001. John was then assigned to the Army’s Personnel Command, through which he managed the careers and assignments of hundreds of Army officers. In honor of his accomplishments in this regard, he advanced to become the Director of Operations (J3) at the Joint Southern Surveillance Reconnaissance Operations Center, located in Key West, Florida. He later supported the Joint Interagency Task Force South, conducting counterdrug and counterterrorist operations. John ultimately concluded his military service as an Interagency Team Leader with the U.S. Special Operations Command, through which he supported numerous combat operations during the Global War on Terror, both in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Following his retirement from the U.S. Army, John worked in the civilian sector as the Chief Executive Officer of a private aviation conglomerate and later functioned as the Director of Federal Government Sales for the Vehicle Production Group. Hearing the call to action, John returned again to serve his country, this time as a Defense Contractor in support of the Special Activities division at the U.S. Central Command headquarters. It was at this time of his career, where John began accompanying wounded veterans on hunting and fishing trips in Wisconsin and Florida. This work ultimately provided the impetus for his present efforts – not long after realizing the profound importance of his volunteer efforts in supporting the mental health and wellness of veterans, he established the Wounded Warriors in Action Foundation beginning in 2007.
John finds immense fulfillment in the impact WWIA has had on the veteran community. Notably, the organization collaborates with Cornell University to conduct a comprehensive scientific study on the effects of the WWIA’s work with combat-wounded veterans. The evidence suggests that WWIA’s methods are producing life-changing results. The story of WWIA was committed to film in 2016 with the release of “WWIA – To Honor. To Connect. To Heal,” a 15-minute short film produced by Bob Wheeler, and cameraman Danny Kirsic. John served as the Executive Producer for that production, which won an international Telly Award for excellence in the film industry.
Outside of his work, John is a certified U.S. Coast Guard Captain, as well as a USA certified hockey coach. A proud father, he greatly enjoys sporting activities and time spent in the wilderness alongside his two sons, Luke and Dylan. Looking toward the future, John looks forward to fostering the growth and development of WWIA’s junior leaders to uphold and strengthen the organization’s culture, values and performance standards.
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