Operation Bravo - Veterans of War’s second fellowship cohort (#herjourney)
Medicine phase: February 21st, 2022 - February 28th, 2022
Soltara Healing Center, San Jose, Costa Rica
!!AFTER ACTION REPORT FOUND BELOW ITINERARY!!
The view from a balcony at Soltara Healing Center outside San Jose, Costa Rica.
On January 1st, 2022, Operation Bravo’s four female veteran members will begin coaching classes on a bi-weekly basis designed to create a long term container for healing. Specifically, Operation Bravo’s curriculum is designed to support overcoming traumas associated with Post Traumatic Stress (PTS) as well as Military Sexual Trauma (MST).
Bravo will have their curriculum delivered by a trained integration coach, as well as a VoW representative. This is VoW’s first all-woman veteran fellowship. It is delivered by women and led by women and will prepare them for an intense, 7 day workshop at Soltara Healing Center working with the rest of the team on a shared mission of healing from trauma with the help of community and Mother Ayahuasca.
Following Phase 1: Education and Preparation coaching, Operation Bravo will travel to San Jose, Costa Rica and then on to Soltara Healing Center’s compound to begin Phase 2: Medicine.
Recommended by none other than Dennis McKenna himself, Soltara operates in the Shipibo tradition; their ayahuasca contains no additives. VoW believes that Soltara’s healing program supports our work in a particularly harmonious manner.
We are a team. Everything from meals, coaching, excursions, and ceremonies are all accomplished together.
The team will meet for pickup on the morning of February 21st at 11am local time outside the Wyndham Hotel in San Jose. From there, the team at Soltara Healing Center will will have the ropes.
Bravo is encouraged to arrive the day prior in order to get the opportunity to offload gear, get some food, rest, and prepare for the official start of the workshop the following day. OP Bravo members will have the opportunity to participate in 4 ayahuasca ceremonies during their stay. These happen at night, usually around 8pm and are expected to last around 4 hours. On ceremony days, expect that dinner will NOT be served.
Soltara Healing Center has facilitators and personnel on hand for all ceremonies and aftercare should medical attention be necessary. VoW staff will be present along with Bravo’s coach in order to facilitate or aid where appropriate if necessary.
Bravo members will share two, two-person suites, each with electricity, a private bathroom, wifi, and AC. VoW staff and coaches will stay in an adjacent unit. Bravo will have an itinerary to follow with optional opportunities for swimming, hiking, going to the gym, etc.
Inside the Soltara Healing Center outside San Jose, Costa Rica where Operation Bravo will call home for a 7 day, intensive healing workshop.
Food, lodging, and all workshop costs are all covered by VoW. Souvenirs or any special needs are the individual responsibility of Bravo members and should be planned for (the Maestros conducting the ceremonies will sell hand-maid Shipibo items in the sacred maloka at the completion of the workshop, for example).
While mosquitos have not been much of a problem in the past at the Soltara Healing Center compound, we must remember that we are in Central America; expect rain, heat, and bugs. Sunscreen and bug-repellent are encouraged to be brought (DEET free, of course).
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner will be available at posted times for the duration of Operation Bravo’s stay.
Operation Bravo’s safety, cleanliness, and comfort through an uncomfortable process are a priority, within reason…but remember: “We didn’t promise you a rose garden!”
The sacred maloka at Soltara Healing Center. Inside those doors and deep into the February night, Operation Bravo’s healing journey begins.
San Jose is arguably the most important city in Costa Rica and has a robust tourism industry. If you wish to buy souvenirs or experience life outside of the workshop, you’ll need to prepare for your trip accordingly!
Operation Bravo’s workshop at Soltara will conclude on Sunday, February 28th. Those wishing to leave immediately are warned not to book flights departing before 2:30pm local time. Bravo will have a small meeting at our drop off point at the Wyndham after drop-off, then dismiss.
Integration classes hosted by VoW and delivered by our coach start the following Saturday, and continue bi-weekly for the following four months. Veterans of War is committed to providing quality support and integration coaching to solidify positive outcomes.
At the conclusion of our program, VoW pairs Operation Bravo members with a veteran-mentor dedicated to their continued growth and support. Finally, every successful Fellow is inducted into the Alumni Program and receives their official VoW email account.
AFTER ACTION REPORT:
Completion of Program - June 11, 2022
Operation Bravo: March 27, 2022, Playa Blanca, Costa Rica
lessons Learned:
1: Timeliness is expected by all members of the team. Being a few minutes late is one thing, but pushing it past 20 minutes is another completely. Having a printed itinerary provided to all team members prior to arrival could have mitigated this.
2: In-person vetting of potential team members is crucial to program success moving forward.
3: When conflicts arise, it is important to hear all sides of the issue and get as much feedback/intel as possible, but efforts must be made so that these events don’t turn into triangulation. Discomfort during the medicine process is to be expected and planned for.
4: The final team dinner in-country should be mandatory. It is an incredible opportunity to bond and sets the right tone to complete Phase 2.
5: Trust each participant’s inner healer intelligence to guide the process where it needs to go for each member.
6: Shuttle service to and from the airport is not cost effective. Remind members to utilize Uber in Costa Rica wherever available as a safer and cheaper option for travel (especially in San Jose).
operation bravo testimonials:
Bravo Member -Julie Hendrickson
“The story I used to tell myself was that I need to make things happen, that I have to plan to get anywhere in life.
The medicine has shown me that the most important focus for me is staying present to myself and to those with me.”
Bravo member - Dee Anne Patterson
“I already have recommended VoW to several veteran friends and non-veteran friends. Once I shared my story, people started reaching out to me individually. This program has been life changing, in a very positive, healthy way. I want the same for my veteran friends.”
Bravo member - Itzel Barakat
“My biggest takeaway from the medicine has been to trust. Have faith in this process and listen to the small still voice as life unfolds from here forward. This path will be full of ebbs and flows.
I’m grateful I no longer see myself as this disparaged lost child but as a loving human evolving and growing, stepping out of new caves as the growth process continues.”
Bravo Member - Jill Glasenapp
“I would absolutely (and HAVE!!) recommend this group based therapy to other veterans. I am SO thankful for the connections, relationships, support and opportunities that this organization has brought into my life. Thank you SO MUCH for allowing me to join this cohort and changing my life forever.”
“After you discover your purpose, you have to build a platform for your calling”
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