COL(R) Victor Ingram
I’m glad I chose to make the Connexions better – better relationships, a better life, a better me.
It wasn’t easy. I won’t sugarcoat it because that’s not who I am. It was a lot of work, but frankly: it’s the best work I’ve ever done, which is why I’m now helping others take their journeys toward better.
I believe that my former career gives me a distinct advantage over many other therapists treating trauma and PTSD— along with all the other things tied to it. That is because I truly understand what it’s like to see things the average person never has to encounter.
Summing up the 35 years of military service is challenging, especially when you have been on combat missions because there is so much that isn’t said, but let me give you the professional highlights.
I started my military career in the United States Marine Corps Reserve as an infantryman. I was dedicated and rose quickly through the ranks, becoming an early commissioned Second Lieutenant in my native city of Las Vegas, Nevada, as an ROTC contract student at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, in 1990. From there, I was appointed to the Nevada National Guard as a Detachment Commander for the Detachment 150th Ordnance Battalion.
I spent five years in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) and returned to the Nevada National Guard as a tank platoon leader for the 221st Armor Battalion in 1995. This unit performed duties as a “sister” Battalion for the US Army 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) active duty “Black Horse” Regiment at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. After four years in the 221st Armor Battalion, I returned to the IRR in 2000 until I was involuntarily recalled for combat duty to support Operation Iraqi Freedom II & III (OIF II & III) from 2004-05.
I was assigned to the 98th Division-Institutional Training out of Rochester, New York, to support the train-up for the Iraqi Army. As a foreign Army Trainer (FAT), I was directly responsible for training the logistics and personnel sections for the 2nd Iraqi Division, including the 6th Iraqi Brigade. At the Brigade level, over 800 Iraqi troops were organized and deployed throughout Iraq to support the wartime mission resulting from my team’s efforts. In 2005, the dedication of my assigned Officer Education System (OES) Team resulted in the first post-invasion placement of a Brigade-sized Iraqi unit into a combat sector.
I joined the 425th Civil Affairs Battalion as a Civil Affairs team member in 2006, and shortly thereafter, was selected to lead the battalion logistics team as the Battalion S-4. As the officer in charge of logistics, I was directly responsible for supporting and coordinating 4 Companies and a Battalion headquarters with two companies deployed to Iraq.
I led the 425th CA Battalion’s mission for pre-deployment, deployment, and redeployment of supplies and equipment for Operation Iraqi Freedom VIII & IX (OIF VIII & IX) in 2008-09. During my third combat deployment in 2011-2012, I served as the Company Commander for Delta Company, 405th (D/405) Civil Affairs Company in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was deployed to the Eastern region of Afghanistan, where all soldiers earned their combat action badges. It was a highly kinetic environment, with innumerable combat missions under challenging circumstances.
During my third combat tour, I was promoted to LTC and selected for the Army War College (AWC) and Battalion Command of the 445th Civil Affairs (CA) Battalion. In 2013, I assumed command of the 445th CA Battalion, and the unit grew 40% in personnel and achieved high status for performance, supporting numerous global civil affairs missions. Throughout my tenure, I supported two overseas missions in the PACOM region, participating in Key Resolve in South Korea.
In 2015, I was assigned as a planning officer with the Army Reserves Element Pacific Area Command (PACOM), where I participated in high-level strategic planning. I was directly supporting a 4-star commanding general officer to counter the North Korean threat while we were also acting as a military ally to the people of South Korea. To date, I’ve completed seven missions to South Korea.
Among my awards and decorations are two Bronze Stars, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Commendation Medal, the Marine Good Conduct Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Korea National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal w/ 2 Campaign Stars, and the Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal – 3rd Award, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device, NATO Medal, and Combat Action Badge.
Throughout my career and personal life, I have been driven to serve and support others in making things better. I’m also active in many social and community organizations.
I have three Master’s Degrees and two graduate certificates, and I’m a licensed mental health therapist.
Now, through Connexions Mental Health, I’m dedicating my life to helping others who have also served in the military, as a police officer, or as a first responder because they are the people who face tremendous pressure daily. That kind of pressure and those challenging experiences can cause various mental health issues, which are treatable.
What I know, from my personal experience and as a therapist, is that everything can get so much better when you can make the Connexions to the person you want to be.
That is a critical mission worth it for you and everyone else in your life. When we work together, I will be there to support you as you make it happen—but only you can take this first step.