Joshua “Acey” Acey is a Mississippi Army National Guard veteran, father of four, and founder of Pack to Purpose, a nonprofit putting veterans on trails and bringing them home with lighter hearts. He served as a Military Police officer with two combat tours before returning home to fight his own battle with PTSD. 

Following two months of intensive mental health treatment, Acey completed a 1,210 mile thru-hike of the Florida Trail. That journey not only marked a turning point in his recovery, it also sparked the vision for Pack to Purpose and reinforced his belief in the healing power of nature, community, and shared stories.

That journey also led him to 5th Squad, where he found a new family and a mission larger than himself. As Board Member #029, he now focuses on connecting veterans with mental health resources, raising sponsor support, and building outdoor programs that restore both purpose and community. His passion lies in human connection and storytelling, reminding veterans that their stories matter and that healing is possible when they walk the path together.