By providing critical care for SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC), veterans, and their families for over 20 years and counting, the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) fulfills its non-profit mission with 30-plus comprehensive programs that span five pillars of support: strength, resilience, health, education, and community.
Fueling NSF’s mission are dedicated Americans who greatly appreciate the sacrifices of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) community, and The Kahlert Foundation shares the same appreciation for NSF and the support it brings to warriors, veterans, and their loved ones. The national non-profit organization is fully funded by private donations, such as The Kahlert Foundation’s $400,000 contribution to its Warrior Fitness Program.
Introduced in 2017, the Warrior Fitness Program helps active-duty service members, and active-duty SEALs who are wounded, ill, or injured, mentally and physically recalibrate before leaving the military. Through this program, NSW service members, who would have otherwise needed to leave the service, are provided four to six weeks of professional training and rehabilitation services. “This program has created care and comfort for those transitioning and also saved the careers of countless service members,” shares Meaghan Martinak, development director of NSF. “It’s been labeled as lifesaving by many who participate in the program.”
Both active-duty and veteran SEALs work with a multidisciplinary team of licensed professionals to help regain their physical and cognitive wellness through things like targeted strength training, one-on-one dietician support, and access to speech-language pathologists. “Through The Kahlert Foundation’s remarkable support of our Warrior Fitness Program, we can continue to provide elite training and rehabilitation services. They are directly enhancing the strength and resilience of our Navy SEALs, both in and out of the force,” says Robin King, CEO of NSF.
The Kahlert Foundation has the opportunity to support NSF in more ways than one, like when Greg Kahlert attended the 2024 Tampa Bay Frogman Swim, which has become a signature NSF event. The Frogman Swim is a 3.4-mile open water swim hosted in January that mimics SEAL training conditions. The community raises over $1 million annually at this beloved event to help aid NSF’s mission. “The most important thing is remembering our fallen SEALs,” shares Christopher Haley, a 2024 Frogman swimmer and Baltimore native. “Then equally important are their families, which is one of the unique aspects of what NSF supports.”
When Greg Kahlert attended the 2024 swim, he was honored to meet numerous members of the NSW community, including the loved ones of fallen SEALs, honorary Frogman Swim captains, and other Gold Star families. “We’re so delighted by Greg’s genuine interest in engaging with NSF. The Foundation’s support directly enhances the strength and resilience of Navy SEALs both in and out of the force,” shares Glenn Paige, National Frogman Swim series director and NSF ambassador. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s not just writing a check, and you get recognition, it’s actually seeing the impact that you have.”
