Ivey is president and co-founder of Asymmetric Warrior Association, which aids wounded warriors and their families. Money raised by the organization helps pay for scholarships and other charitable organizations. Membership in the association is voluntary and open to all service members and civilians assigned to the Asymmetric Warfare Group, contract personnel currently working for the AWG, and to all former members who have left the group in good standing. Why did you start the group?
The initial concept was to form an organization between current members and former members of Special Operations Forces. Three years ago a number of our guys got together and said we need an organization to support us, and then it grew into an organization where we found a way to give back to members of our community.
What do the troops understand that the American public doesn’t about wounded warriors?
The difference between the American public and the guys and gals in Asymmetric Warfare Group is that they have been there and done that. There is a better understanding of what a wounded warrior is going through — so we want to be there for them. We’ve all been in units, which have suffered casualties. We understand how overwhelming that can be for the troops and their families.
What are some charities your group donates to?
We donate to the Armed Forces Foundation, which in effect donates a lot of their funding to wounded warriors. We also sponsor wounded warriors, mainly from Walter Reed and Bethesda Hospital, every May at the Warrior Classic Golf Tournament. The annual golf tournament is our main fundraiser and gets the wounded warriors out to mix and mingle with current military personnel. We also get a lot of participation from retired members of AWG.
– Sara Carter
