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The TOTB Program

During a retreat in and near Yosemite National Park, the TOTB program is broken up into three areas of emphasis: education, managing triggers, and mission next.

Thanks to generous supporters, the TOTB program is free of charge, and includes room and board.

  • Education
    • ACE — We use the ACE quiz to educate the Veteran about adverse childhood experiences and how trauma has impacted the Veteran from birth and even pre-disposed them to military life. (Click here to learn more about the ACE quiz.)
    • PTSD — We teach Veterans what PTSD really is, the physical, emotional, and physiological changes in the human limbic system, along with “cause and effect” of that limbic system on PTSD as a result of individual triggers. We go in-depth and educate Veterans on the brain, the subcomponents and what each part of the brain does in the normal state, bounced up against the trauma state and the flight or fight state.
    • The VA pill protocol and other substances.
  • Managing triggers
    • Meditation/breath work
    • Yoga
    • Nutrition
    • Exercise
  • Mission next
    • Self-defeating behaviors
    • Substance use
    • Educating your loved ones
    • Partners
    • Community

Not everyone gets to come to Tier One. You have to apply. There is a reading list you need to read before you get here.(Click here for the reading list.) The application process includes a phone interview and a written application including essay on why you want to come to the program. Plan on at least an hour-long conversation, maybe more. You will be asked about the educational data and be expected to talk in depth about the information during the phone call.

The program requires brutal honesty and a mirror. We all must look into that mirror and be truthful about what’s happening. Not everything we do is related to combat, nor is every PTSD episode really a PTSD episode. Sometimes it’s just “conduct unbecoming” due to all the other stressors in our lives. Alcohol, drugs, sleeplessness, mental acuity, and mental attitude have a lot to do with how we act and react. So, be prepared to figure out what is really PTSD, based on triggers and what’s just bad conduct.

The application period is currently closed. Please send an email to chief@tieronebase.org if you are interested in applying for the next cohort.

TOTB does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity), sexual orientation, national origin, age, or disability.

A note about security: At Tier One, we acknowledge that some of you have participated in highly classified operations. We do not encourage the disclosure of such operations. However, during counseling sessions, inadvertent disclosures happen. We have personnel cleared to TS/SCI and sub-compartments. Any inadvertent disclosures are covered by non-disclosure agreements and all non-cleared personnel are debriefed. We want you to understand you served our nation. You don’t have to hide things because they were “classified.” A number of operations were fully declassified under the Obama Administration. Further declassifications are ongoing. Relax. We got this.