The Fallen Outdoors (TFO) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing outdoor adventures such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping for Veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star families. Founded in 2009 by three soldiers during their deployment in Afghanistan, The Fallen Outdoors works with service members from every generation and from all branches of the military to create meaningful connections and introduce them to lifelong outdoor pursuits.
The Fallen Outdoors began on a remote mountaintop outpost in Afghanistan in 2008 with three Soldiers: Staff Sergeant John Bates, Specialist Eric Finniginamm, and Specialist Eric Bakken. The treo recognized the profound impact spending time in nature had on their own well-being they began organizing informal hunting and fishing trips for other service members. Year after year, The Fallen Outdoors grew and expanded, in October of 2015 TFO was awarded our 501 (c)3 Status and today TFO serves tens of thousands of Veterans a year across the United States. What started off as a simple idea to help Veterans get outdoors has transformed into a mission and lifestyle that our TFO Nation lives every day.
The Fallen Outdoors is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, a team of passionate individuals with extensive experience in leadership, veteran affairs, and the non-profit sector.
FOUNDER
Eric Bakken was born and raised in Minnesota and joined the United States Army at 20 years old. He has a wonderful wife named Nikki and a beautiful daughter named Finnley who is named after his best friend (Eric Finniginamm) who was killed in Afghanistan during their first tour in 2009. He served in the army for almost 8 years as a 11B infantry. During that time, he deployed several times for operation Enduring Freedom along with attending school and holding most leadership positions in an infantry line platoon. He left the Army in 2015 to pursue my dream of growing The Fallen Outdoors to its full potential. Eric has been an avid outdoors-man his whole life. From fishing to big game and everything in between with a preference for waterfowl hunting.
“One thing I wanted to strive for when I built TFO was that I wanted it to be open to all veterans of all branches and backgrounds. I have seen too many great men and women left behind because they didn’t meet a certain criteria and I will not follow suit. If you served honorably you are my brother and sister. I do not care how long you served, what branch, what job, combat or garrison. Wounded or untouched. The Fallen Outdoors is here for you and I am here for you!”
PRESIDENT
Mike hails from the flat state of Kansas. He began his Army career at the age of 17 and has been stationed all across the U.S. The events of 9/11, which will forever shape our great country, led him to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan. He just retired with 20 years of active duty service as a Criminal Investigator and now lives the retired life in Missouri with his wife and three daughters. He grew up with an obsession with hunting and fishing. As well as hunting deer and predetors he has been an avid kayak angler for more than 12 years and runs a kayak fishing series for The Fallen Outdoors.
"To me, The Fallen Outdoors is a way for me to share my passion and knowledge of the outdoors with other veterans in hopes of creating passions for them. I firmly believe that TFO has saved many lives by the large network of like-minded outdoorsmen and women we are. By connecting with other Veterans and listening and sharing stories, it gives you hope for the future. There is no better feeling than helping others heal by showing them the way of the Outdoors. Getting our families and our children involved is key as well. Allowing them to them to see the special bond and gives us a great opportunity to teach them about the conservation of our natural resources."
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert was born in Astoria, Oregon while his father was stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Astoria. He grew up on the move living in California, Florida, Virginia and finally back to Florida. He joined the Marine Corps in 1993 at the age of 20 and served as an Infantry Marine. He retired from the Marine Corps in 2017 after 24yrs of service that included deployments to over 20 countries to include combat deployments to both Iraq & Afghanistan. His father introduced him to the outdoors while chasing bass around the South during his childhood, but it was an invitation to go deer hunting during his assignment at the School of Infantry in North Carolina that got him hooked on chasing the elusive whitetail.
“The Fallen Outdoors has become a huge part of my life ever since I met Eric Bakken on a fishing trip in Montana back in 2015. The outdoors became therapy for me when I saw firsthand the impact it had on my mental and physical health following my retirement from the Marine Corps. I found that camaraderie that I was missing when I connected with fellow veterans on many events with The Fallen Outdoors. I knew that the outdoors could do for so many, what it had done for me."
TREASURER
Born and raised in Virginia, Ducky Lique developed a deep connection to the outdoors from a young age, particularly enjoying catfishing on the James River. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the Army and served in various roles, and completing multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His military career was ultimately cut short due to an injury that led to a medical discharge. Seeking healing and a renewed sense of purpose, he reconnected with nature. Ducky started fishing for striped bass and catfish on Smith Mountain Lake, and he also harvested his first deer; a remarkable 11-point buck. In 2017, Ducky discovered The Fallen Outdoors (TFO) and participated in two therapeutic outdoor excursions. Inspired by TFO’s mission and the camaraderie he experienced, he officially joined Team Virginia in 2020, organizing trips to help other veterans reconnect with nature.
"My greatest joy is being out on these therapeutic adventures with veterans, offering them a chance to harvest their first turkey and witnessing the thrill after calling that bird in for them; or seeing the smiles on their faces as they reel in their first citation-sized fish. Nothing beats that!"
SECRETARY
Stephenie serves as the National Secretary and Lead for The Fallen Outdoors Women’s Council. She is a U.S. Army veteran who served 13.5 years as a Military Police Officer and investigator, complete with combat deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Following combat injuries that led to her medical retirement, Stephenie turned to nature for healing and dedicated herself to helping fellow service members and Gold Star families experience the same restoration in the outdoors.
Stephenie’s journey with The Fallen Outdoors began on the ground in Texas, where she served as the Team Texas Secretary, helping build the foundation for regional veteran outreach and state-level trips. Recognizing the need for a dedicated space for female service members and veterans within the organization, she founded the TFO Women’s Council to expand opportunities and foster community for women across the nation through specialized outdoor excursions.
“The Fallen Outdoors is more than an organization; it’s a family that ensures no veteran has to navigate life's challenges alone. What drives me every day is the opportunity to help create and watch that spark and passion for the outdoors build in other veterans. Watching service members step out into nature and form lifelong bonds is one of the most rewarding parts of this mission. Being able to serve TFO from the state level up to the national board allows me to give back to a community that means everything to me.”
STAFF DIRECTOR
Jesse was raised in Imbler, Oregon, in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. He served with distinction as an Electronics Technician Submarine ET1 (SS) in the United States Navy, operating mission-critical systems aboard nuclear submarines. Following his military service, Jesse obtained his electrical license and built a diverse technical career spanning facilities engineering, automation, and semiconductor technology—currently serving as the Facilities Systems Manager at the Oregon Zoo.
Driven by a lifelong dedication to service, Jesse joined The Fallen Outdoors in 2016 to help veterans find purpose, healing, and connection in nature. Now, as National Staff Director, he leads national operations and organizes multi-day off-grid adventures, therapeutic hunts, and outdoor trips for veterans and service members across the country..
"To me, serving with The Fallen Outdoors is about honoring those who served by ensuring no veteran feels isolated when they transition back to civilian life. The outdoors provides a unique space where shared experiences, off-grid adventure, and genuine camaraderie foster real healing. Nothing beats watching veterans’ bond when you take them away from today's pleasantries. They reconnect, tell their stories, and find renewed strength around a campfire after a hard day in the field."
The Fallen Outdoors is committed to transparency and accountability. For your reference, we have readily available copies of our 501(c)(3) status and 990 forms, which provide detailed information about our non-profit designation and financial operations.
