WWO means everything to me; you could even say I found my new purpose in life. Selfless service and helping give back to an organization that has done so much for me and other warriors countless times.
Joshua Sust, Vetting Committee
Joshua Sust Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired
Joshua Sust was born in January 20, 1987 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Two weeks after his high school graduation, Sust boarded a bus to Parris Island MCRD. In 13 grueling weeks, he accomplished his greatest achievement: becoming a U.S. Marine. Immediately following, Sust graduated from the SOI East at Camp Gieger in North Carolina and headed off to the Fleet Marine Force with 2nd battalion and 4th marines at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Corporal Sust spent 7 years with this crew, and on his final deployment, Cpl Sust was deployed to Helmand Provence in Afghanistan of September 2011. On a day he will never forget on November 12, 2011 at around 08:30, Cpl Sust, on a mounted patrol, his vehicle hit an IED (improvised explosive device), causing his door to be blown off. Ejected from the VIC, Cpl Sust sustained the following injuries: TBI, PTSD, shattered tibia and fibula in his left foot, and open fractures in his left arm.
These injuries led Cpl Sust to 9 major surgies, years of therapy, and his medical retirement from the Marine Corps in August 2013.
Two years later, Josh made the decision to do a below knee amputation. This decision changed his life for the better. No longer in pain, and off all pain medication, Josh began a new career in Prosthetics as a technician and patient adviser, providing specialized guidance and support to patients post-amputation.
“It’s not the end; it’s just a new beginning.”
In 2023, Josh retired and is now giving back to the organizations that helped him during his most difficult times. He enjoys hunting and fishing and advocating for healing therapeutic adventures at WWO. He also enjoys spending time with family, friends, and his good boy, Loki.
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