A 49-year old Army veteran and father of two boys, Gabriel and Gage, Armando joined the military as a Paratrooper due to his obsession with flying and contributed to OEF/OIF campaigns. As Armando returned from his last tour, he got lost in the personal turmoil through mental disorders resulting from war and the disease of addiction.

Trying to find resolution with the issues derived from the inability to face reality and responsibility, Armando ended up with unhealthy behaviors and unresolved childhood issues left behind by neglect and the lack of family and a positive role model. With that lack of family, a loving environment, and moral support, Armando became a child looking to fill those voids with bad choices. Armando’s qualities and traits became an asset as he turned to  recovery within the VA Healthcare System. On April 17, 2013, Armando decided to stay clean and help others do the same. Armando has since achieved a Masters of Social Work from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has serves on several boards throughout the recovery and higher education environments.