The Apparel

Hold The Line

A Mission of Courage, Strength, and Accountability

In September 2006, the insurgency in Iraq erupted into a full-scale civil war. Violence and chaos consumed the region, leading to the dismissal of the Secretary of Defense and the launch of The Surge Campaign to address what became known as “The Hornets’ Nest.” But in the months before the surge took effect, American forces were left to fend for themselves. Amidst illogical rules of engagement and the collapse of a coherent strategy, the mission was clear: Hold The Line.

 

For the Marines on the ground, failure was not an option. Courage and strength became indispensable virtues. When Washington’s indecision led to fractured policies and unjust prosecutions of service members, these Marines stood firm, protecting one another and continuing the fight. Yet, while they held the line in combat, an epidemic of mental health crises erupted, claiming the lives of countless warriors in the aftermath of the war.

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Hold The Line is an initiative born from this struggle—a demand for quality healthcare, accountability, and justice from the very leaders who deployed us into battle and now bear the responsibility to care for the survivors. Washington has not met that burden. They have not held the line.

 

But we will.

Through courage, strength, and unwavering resolve, Hold The Line exists to honor the sacrifices of our brothers and sisters, remind them of their valor, and demand the care and respect they deserve. Together, as a united force, we will remind politicians of the ferocity and honor they owe to the warriors who stood in the gap.
Failure was not an option then. It is not an option now. We will Hold The Line—until Victory.

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Our Mission

Beginning in September 2006 the insurgency in Iraq descended into all out civil war. The level of violence and carnage intensified so exorbitantly that Washington relieved the Secretary of The Secretary of Defense and ushered in The Surge Campaign to quell what soon became known as The Hornets Nest.

Between the inception of the civil war and the Troop Surge taking effect months went by where American forces were left to band together and fend for themselves amidst illogical rules of engagement and complete collapse of a logical strategy by Washington politicians. For many the only mission was to Hold The Line. Marines were relieved of duty, charged with fictitious crimes and thrown in solitary confinement. Anything to protect each other. Failure wasn’t an option. Courage and Strength were common virtues and necessary traits.

A band of officer and enlisted Marines have continued the mission as it relates to the mental health epidemic that ensued and cost the lives of many more brothers by Washington indecision. Hold The Line is a campaign to demand quality private healthcare and accountability from Washington who were responsible for deploying troops and are now responsible for upholding that oath and responsibility to the surviving troops. They have not met that burden. They have not Held The Line. It’s not the first time Washington has left us to protect each other and we take the new battlefield just as serious as the original.

It’s time the politicians are reminded of our United ferocity and honor. We’re here to Hold The Line until reinforcements and victory.

Hold The Line Initiative is partnering with a Nonprofit Initiative designed to help fund Private Talk Therapy for veterans and is donating a portion of all apparel sold to make private talk therapy one day perpetually available to all veterans and not held as ransom by red tape.

Our Team

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Jonathan Phillips

Author, Hiker and Military Advocate

Jonathan is the author of The Fifth General Order, a memoir chronicling his military experience, wrongful incarceration, and subsequent mental health rehabilitation. As a Marine wrongfully convicted and sent to military prison for two years—10 months of which were spent in solitary confinement—Jonathan returned to civilian life with an honorable discharge and medical retirement. His journey represents resilience, redemption, and a commitment to advocacy for his fellow service members.

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Marine Major Greg Baxter

Officer, Licensed Psychotherapist

Major Greg Baxter is a Marine officer and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who has dedicated his life to supporting veterans’ mental health. As an avid runner, a mental health professional, and a father, Greg embodies perseverance and physical discipline, qualities that mirror his commitment to helping veterans overcome challenges and pursue the best versions of themselves. His unique perspective as a leader and healer makes him an essential voice in the mission to provide care and advocacy for those who have served.

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Alex Bolicke

Marine Veteran, Paramedic, and Competitive Powerlifter

Alex Bolicke is a Marine combat veteran who served four tours between Iraq and Afghanistan. Following his end of active service he began a career as a Paramedic in his home town. Serving his community for just shy of a decade, he returned to Iraq to put his wide skillset to use as a security contractor. He has finally returned home for good and is continuing his service as a Paramedic once again as well finding a passion as a competitive powerlifter. His sense of service and willingness to put his fellow veterans in need at the top of his priorities makes Alex a perfect fit for our mission.

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Give Back

CarePossible is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing mental health and addiction treatment to veterans, military families, and low-income individuals. Founded in 2014, the organization partners with treatment centers and healthcare providers to offer free or reduced-cost care, focusing on PTSD, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.

A Portion of proceeds from every purchase goes to CarePossible.Org