About Us

Eugene A. Linwood, Jr., Founder, Author, Motivational Speaker and Podcast Director brings unprecedented authenticity and experience to the Recovery Soldier Project. Eugene served 10 years in the Army as a Military Police officer and Protective Service Team Leader during Desert Storm, where he drove and protected international and national world leaders, including Generals Colin Powell, Schwarzkopf, and then-Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney. His personal journey through PTSD, addiction, and incarceration in both federal and state prisons provides him with firsthand knowledge of the challenges veterans face—experience that creates immediate credibility with our target audience. Eugene has published two books on Amazon.com, founded Reaching Out Beyond Bars, and served as Executive Director of America For Youth Foundation in Billings, Montana. He is currently pursuing a degree as a Licensed Addiction Counselor at Montana State University Billings, further enhancing his ability to serve veterans in recovery.

Robert Gokey, Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day affairs of the Recovery Soldier Project and works closely with Eugene to develop and implement veteran services. As a recovering addict himself, Robert brings valuable perspective to our mission, actively sponsoring veterans in recovery and assisting with podcast development. His longstanding professional relationship with Eugene, which includes shared experiences during their incarceration, has created a strong foundation of trust and collaborative problem-solving. Robert's extensive life experiences make him particularly effective at connecting with veterans facing similar challenges, reinforcing the authentic approach that distinguishes our organization from institutional alternatives.

Marcus Welbourne, Youth Services Director completes our core administrative team, focusing specifically on developing services for young people connected to veteran families. Marcus leads the operations for our Hip Hop Recovery Podcast, creating targeted content that engages younger demographics through culturally relevant programming. His previous collaboration with Eugene on other community initiatives has established a productive working relationship that enables rapid implementation of new ideas. Marcus's expertise in youth engagement complements our veteran-focused services, allowing the Recovery Soldier Project to address the intergenerational impact of military service and recovery challenges.

The Recovery Soldier Project's management team brings together complementary skills in veteran services, addiction recovery, media production, and youth outreach—all grounded in authentic personal experiences that align perfectly with our mission. This leadership team embodies the organization's core philosophy that effective veteran support must come from individuals who truly understand the military-to-civilian transition journey and the challenges of recovery. Their combined networks within both veteran communities and recovery support systems position Recovery Soldier Project to create meaningful connections for service members seeking assistance. The team's flat organizational structure enables rapid decision-making while ensuring all operations remain centered on our commitment to providing veterans with holistic support through their most challenging transitions.