On this episode of American Dream TV, Kevin traveled to Frederick, Maryland to interview Nikki Fezone, CEO ofPlatoon 22— a nonprofit founded in 2014 in direct response to veteran suicide. The name reflects a statistic: at the time of founding, an estimated 22 veterans per day were dying by suicide. The mission is to change that.
The Problem Platoon 22 Addresses
The veteran suicide epidemic is a documented national crisis. TheVA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Reportdocuments that veterans die by suicide at a rate approximately 57% higher than non-veteran adults, after adjusting for age and sex. For young male veterans under 35, the rate is even more alarming.
Nikki Fezone explains the organizational insight that drives Platoon 22’s approach: the suicide risk is highest during the transition period from military to civilian life — not because veterans lack resilience, but because the transition creates simultaneous crises across housing, employment, food security, healthcare access, and benefit navigation. Addressing the upstream barriers, rather than waiting for crisis, is the mission.
What Platoon 22 Does
The Frederick facility serves as a hub for veteran resource navigation and community. Programs include:
Housing stability support— connecting veterans facing housing insecurity with resources and rapid rehousing assistance
Employment assistance— translating military skills to civilian resumes, connecting with employer partners
Benefits navigation— helping veterans understand and access VA benefits they’ve earned but often don’t know how to claim
Food access— direct food security support for veterans and families in crisis
Community and peer support— the social infrastructure of military service is often what veterans miss most in civilian life
The Facility and Community
Kevin notes the care that went into the facility’s wall design — intentionally representative of the full diversity of veteran service, including faces of all backgrounds, family structures, and service branches. Nikki Fezone is herself a Marine Corps veteran, as is her husband — the organization’s leadership has direct personal experience with the transition challenges they address.
Platoon 22 serves veterans in Frederick County and the broader Western Maryland region. The Montgomery County area has related resources through theMontgomery County Office of Veterans Affairsand theVA Maryland Health Care System.
How to Support or Get Help
For veterans or families in need of support:Platoon 22’s websitehas program information and contact details. TheVeterans Crisis Line(call or text 988, press 1) provides 24/7 crisis support nationally. For Montgomery County veterans, thecounty Veterans Affairs officeconnects to local resources.
For those who want to support the mission: Platoon 22 accepts donations and volunteers at their Frederick facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Platoon 22?
A Frederick, Maryland nonprofit founded in 2014 to address veteran suicide by tackling the upstream barriers veterans face during military-to-civilian transition — including housing, employment, food security, and benefits navigation.
How do I get veteran support resources in Montgomery County Maryland?
The Montgomery County Office of Veterans Affairs (montgomerycountymd.gov/vet) connects to local services. The VA Maryland Health Care System serves the region. For crisis support, call or text 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
What is the veteran suicide rate in the US?
According to the VA’s 2023 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, veterans die by suicide at a rate approximately 57% higher than non-veteran adults after adjusting for age and sex. The rate is higher still for younger veterans.
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