I have known a lot of veterans. From the time I was in the military to now, when I get the opportunity to work with them and interview them to deep dive into their lives, I have seen many different challenges present themselves. One of the core challenges many veterans face is finding a new purpose for their lives. After years of serving their country in a high-velocity and intense environment of life and death, civilian life can feel impossible. That is why they need something new. Something that challenges them. Something that gives them a new purpose. That is where Force Blue comes in.
Dedicated to saving the oceans one coral tree at a time, Force Blue’s coral restoration projects tackle one of the most dire problems we face as a people. The death of coral affects everything in the ocean, an avalanche of problems culminating in a situation we never want to get to. Force Blue has recruited the world’s best to fight this battle at the source. Giving warriors a cause. Giving a cause its warriors.
A new mission
Force Blue doesn’t take just anyone. The majority of their warriors are the tip of the spear. SEALs, Rangers, SAS, the soldiers that have seen the worst the world has to offer and came back to remember it. And while coral restoration seems to be the major focus up front, there is much more beneath the surface. With a long list of capabilities, these former Special Operators are returning the oceans to where they belong.
- Coral Restoration & Rehabilitation
- Coral Disease Response
- Marine Debris Removal
- Underwater Survey Work
- Shipwreck Mapping
- Invasive Species Eradication
- Marine Mammal & Reptile Rescue
- Shark Tagging
- Scientific Research & Development
One of their flagship campaigns partners with the NFL, “100 Yards of Hope,” aimed to restore a football field-sized stretch of coral and accomplished 100 Staghorn corals originally outplanted to kick off the project and 55 Elkhorn corals added to celebrate Super Bowl LV, marking a major milestone for genetic diversity at the site. The project is expanding into next year with even more restoration.
A new purpose
With the mission to save the oceans, you would think that was big enough to be THE mission. But there is another one that they take equally as seriously: giving veteran operators a new purpose when they get home. The truth is, service to something bigger than themselves is what drives operators overseas. They aren’t looking for violence. They aren’t looking for glory. These men are looking to protect those they love from a world that wants to destroy them. They operate at the highest levels of excellence, precision, and focus. When that is taken away, it can cause these men to spin. With nowhere to put that focus, that precision, and with nothing driving them to excellence, that is when you see veterans suffer major mental breaks and life-threatening mental struggles.
This isn’t a recreational diving club. This isn’t a place they go for kicks. They aren’t on the sidelines watching scientists work. They are in the thick of it. They go through training to be as effective here as they were over there. There is a new mission. A new focus. Replacing the focus on concealment from the enemy and the completion of the mission (a mission that is often classified and buried deep within them) with hope for the future and a mission that involves the family, friends, and anyone else they want to share it with. Force Blue isn’t just saving the oceans; they are saving lives.
A new watch
If you know me at all, you know I love a good watch. You also know I love the military. My own service aside, I am in awe of the men and women who protect this country, and the special forces are the ones who deserve our adoration the most. They are the tip of the spear, the shield protecting us from what goes bump in the night. And Luminox has been there every step of the way. Since creating a watch specifically for Navy SEALs in the early 90s, they have been the go-to for service members ever since. They are the perfect partner and have been along for the ride with Force Blue since 2022.
Now, with help from former SEALs and built in collaboration with Force Blue, Luminox dropped the Force Blue Pacific Diver. This Swiss Made dive watch combines mission-ready performance with a meaningful purpose. Featuring a robust 316L stainless steel case, lightweight Carbonox unidirectional bezel, screw-in crown and case back for increased water resistance up to 200 meters, and an expandable rubber strap with integrated wetsuit extension, it is engineered for demanding underwater operations. Blue and yellow Luminox Light Technology ensures constant visibility in any light condition for up to 25 years, while the dial showcases Force Blue’s signature rope motif rendered in Super-LumiNova alongside gold accents inspired by the organization’s emblem. Once charged by light, the striking rope motif glows in the dark, revealing a distinctive design inspired by Force Blue’s mission beneath the surface. Built to perform. Inspired to protect.
If you want to support the mission, you can donate here or get your own badass diver here.
But don’t take my word for all of this. Check out these documentaries to learn more.
