Thank you for taking the time to look at my project.

Who I am - 
My Name is Mitch Howard and I am a certified Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) instructor and teach active shooter response courses to help our country be better prepared for emergency situations. Before my work as an instructor, I spent 5 years in the U.S. Navy serving as a Navy (FMF) Corpsman (AKA a medic). During this time, I spent two years working as a paramedic in Japan and 2+ years with the Radioactive Marines in San Clemente, CA (1st Marine Infantry division) with one combat deployment to Afghanistan. I first deployed to Afghanistan with 1st Marines in 2012 and this is where my desire to help was truly sparked. In 2014, I was honorably discharged from the Navy and, along with being a TCCC instructor, currently work as an international paramedic living in the suburbs of Seattle, WA. I have been working with and training all branches of the U.S. military as well as partner nations and various government agencies in tactical medicine to ensure that my brothers and sisters in arms have the best training possible. However, I have recently realized that it's time for me to go out do more for the betterment of my fellow men and women while I still can.

What I Do - 
Along with teaching tactical medicine as a TCCC instructor and working as an international paramedic, I volunteer my time to educate others in field medicine and first aid. The picture below was from my most recent trip to Greece where I volunteered to teach first aid classes to Syrian and Iraqi refugees. These classes provided the refugees who had been helping in the clinic and studying medicine the opportunity to learn life saving field procedures. It is my belief that the best tool we can give others is knowledge and guidance in order to help them help themselves. Like every human being, these people need a sense of purpose in life and they need to see that the world does care about them. Although my trip to Greece was with another fantastic organization, Team Rubicon, and not Global Surgical and Medical Support Group, I highly recommend volunteering through their organization since my experience with them was life-changing and priceless (http://teamrubiconusa.org/). The logo displayed on my shirt in the picture is from Team Rubicon, not GSMSG. Team Rubicon offers veterans the chance to help others and find self-purpose. Their organization is an outstanding one who I still volunteer with and recommend to any veteran looking for adventure and purpose.

My Mission -
After working in Greece with the refugees and listening to their stories and experiences, I was inspired to do even more to help.

I've recently joined an non-profit 501(3)c called Global Surgical and Medical Support Group who I will be going to Iraq with. While there, I will be working in Erbil and Mosul to help the displaced populations fleeing the atrocities of ISIS.

I will be working as a Medic and going to the front-lines to deliver medical aid to those in need as well as working in a clinic setting within the local camps. I want to do what I can to help with the tools I have been given and worked so hard to obtain. 

The funding I am requesting is to cover my plane ticket at just under $1,700, The cost of living ($30/day), food ($20/day), and the recommended $500 which covers any unplanned expenses arising (including travel costs, medical supplies, equipment, etc.). I will be flying out December 16th and returning January 3rd. I will be withdrawing money prior to leaving to purchase my ticket and once in Iraq I will exchange the rest of my money to the local currency. I am the some beneficiary of this page and will be the only one handling your donated funds.

Any funds I can't raise through this page will be covered by me out of pocket. Any donation will aid in my desire to help those who truly need it. Thank you!