Marine veteran Jason Bush remembers the pride he felt after returning home after a deployment to Iraq. There were throngs of people with American flags, all ecstatic to see their returning troops. One question lingered in the back of his head, though. Why did he make it when his comrades had not?
This question helped Bush to find a direction after his deployment. Injured and ill veterans were people he knew, people he had served with. They come in all shapes and sizes, and all backgrounds. He could help them out in as unique a way as one could think. Through swimming with Whale sharks, manta rays and giant groupers, Bush has found a way to help his fellow retired service members to find solitude.
In an interview with NBC News, Bush iterated how being underwater can quell the anxiety of the brain, and other “noise” that one could expect from one who has been put through so much.
“You have no choice but to be in the moment,” Bush told NBC News.
Service: A Common Theme in Bush’s Life
At the age of 19, Bush enlisted in the Marine Corps. It was one of the proudest moments he could remember, serving for five years at the height of the operations taking place in Iraq at the time.
After leaving the service, Bush had nearly a decade where he worked various jobs, including as a firefighter and as a medic. Service for others was a common through line in Bush’s post-military career, as he later worked over 10 years with the Wounded Warrior Project.
While he helps his fellow veterans, Bush also fights battles of his own. Living with post-traumatic stress disorder is no easy feat, and surviving the war when some of his fellow Marines did not shaped the way Bush thinks about his own life and service to others.
In 2023, Bush became the manager of the Georgia Aquarium’s Military Salute program, combining his work with veterans and his lifelong connection to the water. Growing up in South Florida really gave him the background needed to be successful in this arena, as he had experienced all manner of water recreational activities. This background also reminded him of the ease that water brings to the mind, especially those with tormented thoughts of yesteryear.
“The most rewarding part of this job is to give them hope,” Bush told NBC News.
Swimming Alongside a Shark
The Veterans Immersion Program welcomes participants from all backgrounds, including amputees, those suffering from paralysis, and more. Vets with different ailments can swim and dive in the aquariums Ocean Voyager exhibit with assistance from certified professionals.
Home to a whale shark, manta rays, and other marine animals, this program has been full the last few years. The roots of the program date back to 2005, when a group of wounded veterans became the first participants.
During the feature that aired on NBC News, Bush accompanied veterans participating in the program through the Wounded Warrior Project. One participant mentioned how the experience made him forget about his pain and anxiety momentarily, as the only thing he could focus on was the feel of water and the animals moving around him.
Aside from the experience of swimming with sea animals, the water is also a great place for physical relief. Buoyancy allows veterans with mobility issues that are brought on by chronic pain or other sources to move more freely without gravity bringing them down. The Aquarium also offers weekly sessions for military members.
Going Beyond the Waves
Beyond the program at the aquarium, other organizations offer similar water-based therapy. The Wounded Warrior Project, Patriots for Disabled Divers, and other organizations help connect potential participants to the proper program of their choosing.
Bush believes projects like these can provide veterans with more than simple relief brought on by momentary recreation. Returning to service, and using the water as a friendly reminder, are all great ways to soothe the brain. When veterans are together in projects or missions with each other, their sense of camaraderie can be restored in a way, Bush said.
Participation in the Veterans Immersion Program is arranged through veteran rehabilitation organizations rather than through individual applications. The aquarium accepts applications from these organizations annually from Jan.1 through Aug.1.
While the experience is meant to bring relief to veterans and their ailments, Bush also finds that this service gives him relief as well. For him, this project and the service to his fellow former service members is a double-thronged sword.
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