Tony Wilson sat at his work desk, overhead shelves filled with books, college memorabilia, a framed family photo and his honorable discharge certificate from the U.S. Marine Corps.
The mementos take him back to 2007, when he began considering military service. He wanted a challenge, and after walking into a recruiting office, his decision felt clear.
鈥淭hey were the best, the baddest, and my chance of getting to go overseas and serve my country the way I wanted,鈥� Wilson said.
By 2008, he headed to boot camp while his friends packed for college. He chose a different path, one he believed was his duty.
鈥淲e were at war at the time and I felt like I needed to step up and do my part,鈥� Wilson said.
That path would take him from the deserts of Afghanistan to leading a Fort Worth nonprofit.
Today, Wilson is the executive director of DRC Solutions, a services agency for the homeless. His approach reflects a belief instilled in the Marines: Never leave anyone behind.
He trained as an artillery cannoneer, learning to fire M777 howitzers before deploying in 2010 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. For seven months, his unit supported troops in the Musa Qala and Nawa districts, enduring punishing heat and the constant threat of improvised explosive devices.
Despite the dangers, his unit avoided casualties, for which Wilson remains grateful. After a second deployment through Japan, South Korea and Thailand, he returned home in 2012. He struggled adjusting to civilian life.
Crowded places rattled him.
Anxiety clouded his focus.
Staying on task felt nearly impossible.
He didn鈥檛 start feeling comfortable going to places until four or five years ago.
鈥淵ou鈥檙e kind of always on edge overseas,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淵ou come back and have to relearn that not everything鈥檚 about to be life or death.鈥�
Family helped him through. His wife, Erica, enrolled him in college, giving him direction. The couple had exchanged letters during his deployments, and she knew how much structure and support mattered.
鈥淚 remember that first big hug and setting my eyes on him,鈥� Erica said. 鈥淚t was good knowing he鈥檚 back and safe.鈥�
Wilson also leaned on fellow Marine David Campos. The two met in 2009 and naturally bonded. They were in the same unit, both from Texas, and made it a point to see each other at least twice a year. Both families have grown close.
Tony Wilson
Age: 35
Military service: U.S. Marine Corps
Occupation: Executive director of DRC Solutions
Education: Bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in social work from Texas Christian University
Family: Married to Erica Wilson. They have one son, 2-year-old Carter.
Most important lesson learned in the military: 鈥淵ou can accomplish very little alone. It takes good support and teamwork to really make a difference.鈥�
鈥淵ou鈥檙e so far away from home at 19, you want anything that reminds you of home,鈥� Campos said. 鈥淲e both loved watching sports, liked the same music, and we gravitated toward each other.鈥�
Wilson was always there for Campos. Now Campos watches him pour that same passion into helping veterans and families in need.
Wilson鈥檚 mission sharpened when he learned that a fellow Marine he once served with had fallen into homelessness. Wilson knew he had to serve others.
鈥淚n my mind, in our country, it鈥檚 ridiculous to allow anyone to sleep on the streets,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e a wealthy country. Making sure that people have a place to sleep needs to be a priority.鈥�
He earned both a bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 in social work from Texas Christian University and joined DRC Solutions, which provides outreach, housing and case management to those experiencing homelessness.
Wilson started as a navigator, then became director of mobile outreach and later chief operating officer.
In January, he stepped into the role of executive director.
鈥淧eople are vulnerable at different times,鈥� Wilson said. 鈥淲e all have a responsibility to help people who are down because those are our brothers, sisters, and neighbors.鈥�
Orlando Torres is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report.
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