Chris Fahey is the Military and Veteran Outreach Coordinator / Adult Care Business Development at Stone River Recovery Center and has one goal: to affect positive change in the lives of our community. Chris served nearly 20 years as a photojournalist in the Navy, visiting more than 30 countries and deploying five times, including one year with NATO's training mission in Afghanistan.
There, Chris supported the counterinsurgency mission, led a 20-person joint service team, and commanded more than 100 tactical ground missions that ensured the safety of more than 300 souls. Chris also supported U.S. Army, Navy, and international Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams with 30 "bang" missions while taking part in intelligence-led missions that included armed security patrols, key leader engagements, and the apprehension of a suspected terrorist.
Chris deployed twice with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Strike Group as it conducted maritime security operations across the world. He also deployed twice with different U.S. Navy Seabee units as they built schools, disaster relief structures, and expeditionary construction projects with international militaries.
Chris finished his career in Houston as the Public Affairs Officer for the Navy's Recruiting District. While still active duty, Chris was diagnosed with PTSD and has a 100% service-connected disability rating from the Veterans Affairs. Chris now lives a recovered lifestyle.
He has three children, sits on the Board of Directors for the VEL Institute, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Sam Houston State University. He is currently working toward his Master's Degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology through Harvard University's extension school for graduate work.
Before joining Stone River, Chris worked in the development office for the PTSD Foundation of America and Camp Hope, where he raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to help recovering combat veterans. Before that, he served as the communications director for The Abundant Harvest, a food pantry that helped feed more than 106,000 veteran and other food-insecure families.
Chris' personal military awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, five Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Global War on Terror (GWOT) and GWOT Expeditionary Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, three Sea Service Medals, the NATO Medal, and numerous other unit and campaign awards.
During his career, he was named the Navy's Print Journalist and Mass Communication Specialist of the Year. He is a rated expert and sharpshooter with the M4/M16A rifle and M9 pistol, and earned three Navy warfare designations: Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist, Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist, and Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist.