Matthew Purkey is joined by Darren Thompson on the Boots on the Ground Podcast. Darren joined the Navy at 17 and was deployed the following year in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. After recovering from a car accident, he was encouraged by the captain of the ship to skip his second deployment, get out of the service, and go to college. Darren has always believed in giving back to the community and has worked as a substitute teacher, a math and English tutor, and teaches free improv classes for Veterans and Ward 7 & 8 residents through the Washington Improv Theater. Darren was named Washington DC’s 2019 Sustainability Champion and 2020 and 2023 Arts and Humanities Fellow. He is currently serving as the DC Platoon Leader for The Mission Continues. Darren discusses how his life of service began, his time in the military and transitioning to a civilian, and serving with the Mission Continues.