Gabriel Axteil: From Marine Corps to Veteran Advocacy

Marine Corps veteran Gabriel Axteil shares his powerful story of medical retirement, difficult transition, and ultimate redemption through veteran service work. Retiring in 2020 during the height of COVID and returning to Springfield, Missouri after 12 years away, Axtell describes hitting rock bottom and questioning his purpose after losing the Marine Corps identity he thought would define his entire life. Through divine intervention, he discovered a peer-to-peer mentorship program that transformed his outlook and inspired him to dedicate his life to helping other veterans navigate similar struggles.Now working in both veteran services and real estate, Axteil recounts the profound moment of seeing a veteran he mentored return four months later completely transformed—40 pounds lighter, reconciled with his wife, reunited with his children, and thriving. He explains how he connected with DDS for Vets founder Deb Doherty after sending letters to ten real estate agents claiming to work with veterans, with Deb being the only one who responded. Axtell emphasizes the critical importance of organizations that truly practice what they preach and the life-saving impact of letting struggling veterans know that hope exists beyond their darkest moments.