Veterans Share Their Stories in “Operation Onward”, a New Series Exploring Life After Military Service

Hosted by Army veteran Ronnie Adkins, the eight-episode series follows veterans navigating life after service, including the realities of the VA disability claims process. Season one runs through Veterans Day 2026.

ENCINITAS, Calif., Sept. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- REE Medical, a neutral third-party medical coordination company that connects veterans with independent licensed providers, today announced Operation Onward™, a new eight-episode series that gives veterans a platform to share their stories of service, resilience and life after the military. Hosted by Army veteran Ronnie Adkins, the series follows veterans across the country as they confront challenges, pursue new opportunities and navigate the often-complex process of obtaining disability benefits. Episodes will publish on the Operation Onward YouTube channel, REE Medical’s channel and participating creator channels.

“Veterans navigating the VA disability claims process are often carrying stories and experiences that deserve to be heard,” said Patrick Schneider, CEO of REE Medical. “Operation Onward™ gives veterans a space to share their stories and helps connect them with the support and independent medical evidence they may need to move forward.”

A disability rating turns on three things: a current diagnosis, an event or exposure during service, and a medical opinion connecting the two. Assembling that documentation falls to the veteran, often years after separation and without guidance on what the file is missing.

Nothing in the series is scripted. Episodes follow real moments in the veteran community. The premiere, “Military Makeover,” released August 4 and follows Adkins and Schneider through a family home renovation.

Episode 2 introduces a Navy veteran who served aboard the USS America and now runs a skydiving operation in southern Virginia, where he takes first-time jumpers and disabled veterans up on tandem jumps. Adkins jumps with him.

Adkins has spent his career in military media, with work spanning FUNKER530, podcasting, live programming and television. Creators with long-standing ties to military audiences appear across the season.

REE Medical produced Operation Onward™ with Refuel Agency and SPIRRA, Refuel’s influencer marketing platform, which brought military audience research and creator partnerships to the format. In under 30 days, the series has drawn more than 715,000 in reach.

Watch Episode 1 and Episode 2, or subscribe to the Operation Onward YouTube channel. New episodes run through Veterans Day 2026.

About REE Medical

REE Medical coordinates independent medical evaluations that help veterans document conditions for VA disability claims. As a neutral third party, REE Medical connects veterans with independent licensed providers who prepare thorough, VA-compliant documentation, including Disability Benefits Questionnaires, for a transparent flat fee. Learn more at reemedical.com.

About Refuel Agency

Refuel Agency provides media and marketing services for military, teen, college and multicultural audiences. Its military and veteran marketing programs combine audience intelligence, media, experiential and creator strategies.

About SPIRRA

SPIRRA, a Refuel Agency brand, is an influencer marketing platform that brings data-driven creator matching, workflow and measurement to campaigns.

Media Contact

Sally Schiffbauer
SVP, Communications and Alignment
Email: sally@reemedical.com