by Karl Monger was seated in his home office, which is equipped with monitors and a microphone—the same configuration he uses for conducting virtual therapy sessions with veterans nationwide.
Twelve Tarrant County veterans who are serving outside of the uniform are highlighted in the Fort Worth Report’s weekly Stories of Honor series.
Additionally, we are showcasing NGOs that veterans have suggested.
The Report will recognize the veterans’ service with a luncheon at the National Medal of recognize Museum in Arlington in November.
With framed pictures from his time as an Army Ranger, shelves brimming with military history books, and a smattering of family mementos, the walls of his home office behind him told their own tale.
This was more than just a retired major’s office. For a second profession that started years after he left active duty, it was mission control.
As the creator and clinical director of GallantFew, Monger is dedicated to helping veterans navigate civilian life, support their mental health, and remind them they are not alone—things that military bureaucracies and institutions frequently aren’t able to do.
We have provided more than 38,000 services to more than 8,000 veterans since we began recording services, according to Monger.
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Monger, a U.S. Army Ranger and former infantry commander, was commissioned in 1983 and advanced through the ranks to command companies and platoons in the 9th Infantry Division.
However, Monger left after a helicopter disaster in 1992 killed 12 people, including five of his loved ones, and went back to his hometown of Wichita, Kansas, anticipating that the difficult part would be finished, he said.
Rather, he became disoriented.
He claimed to have been defeated by his divorce, erratic job searches, and growing annoyance with the Department of Veterans Affairs.
He said that his injuries, which had been concealed for years to enable him to continue serving in the military, were not recorded, therefore there was no record and no assistance.
Monger avoided contact with the veteran community for almost ten years.
Monger remarked, “I felt like I quit the team.”
When retired Gen. Joseph Votel invited Monger to a Ranger change-of-command ceremony at Fort Benning in 2003, everything changed. Votel himself handpicked Monger, who had expected to hide in the rear, and ushered him to the front row.
According to Monger, “that moment took away all my bad thoughts about not belonging anymore.”
After feeling accepted, Monger started getting back in touch with other veterans and discovered, shockingly, that they were also concealing their wounds, getting divorced, and essentially disregarding their mental health, he said.
Monger claimed that it was an enlarged version of my own experience.
He recognized a concerning trend and made it his purpose to establish a peer support network that would enable veterans to transition smoothly, with respect, and with assistance.
By 2010, that goal had evolved into GallantFew, a nonprofit organization that now offers veterans of all branches and eras coaching, connections, and counseling, he added.
According to Monger, serving others is how you heal.
U.S. Marine veteran Zachary Ceballos was among those who received assistance. According to Ceballos, he battled depression and divorce after stepping away in 2012. In 2014, a fellow Marine, unsure of what to do, recommended him to Monger.
After exchanging texts, they finally got together for dinner, during which Ceballos told his story.
According to Ceballos, “I became really good at telling my story and making people cry.” Rather, Monger simply nodded, bit into his steak, and muttered, “All right.” I realized then that he was unique.
Soon after, he received an invitation from Monger to participate in GallantFew’s weekly outing—an indoor rock climbing session. Monger reintroduces calculated danger in a secure setting through climbing. According to Monger, it’s a method for veterans to regain their trust.
Karl Monger
64 years old
Service in the military: U.S. Army Ranger
Work: GallantFew’s founder and clinical director
Education: Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and bachelor’s degree in justice administration
Family: Sara Monger is my wife. They have three dogs, an 11-year-old grandson named Johnny, and two daughters, Jackie and Michelle.
The most crucial thing I’ve learned in the military is to not isolate oneself. Don’t cut yourself off from the populace. Isolation is the greatest risk to a veteran’s effective mental health transition.
According to Ceballos, the climb enabled him to overcome his sadness and establish a lifelong connection with Monger, which aided in his future reconstruction.
Monger wanted everyone to have the same sense of purpose. According to Monger, one of the main objectives is to assist veterans in becoming certified counselors themselves.
Douglas Rhodes, a GallantFew ambassador and member of the U.S. Air Force, said Monger also assisted him in discovering his own value and sobriety. According to Rhodes, he met Monger through Tarrant County’s Veterans Treatment Court after years of binge drinking, legal troubles, and a lack of appreciation for his veteran status.
Rhodes stated, “I’m thankful for the chances I’ve been given and the chance to meet Monger.”
Rhodes, who has been sober since 2023, said he mentors others in the legal system.
“It was best for me to become a mentor so that I could stay sober,” Rhodes stated.
Monger leaned back, surrounded by recollections of his duty. His efforts to support the veteran community are not alone any more.
Orlando Torres works at the Fort Worth Report as a reporting fellow. Reach him at fortworthreport.org/orlando.torres.
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