Jordan Halthorn
(This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out any unit patches.)

Jordan Hathorn’s experience in the military was a seven-year journey that took him to various parts of the world. Between 2012 and 2019, he served as a U.S. Air Force Special Operations Combat Controller and Joint Terminal Attack Controller. During his service, Hathorn served a six-month combat deployment in Iraq and another six-month combat deployment in Syria.

Hathorn witnessed battlefield injuries first-hand when deployed. He remains close to comrades who suffered battlefield injuries, blast injuries, gunshot wounds, traumatic brain injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorders. He uses his position as an advocate to passionately speak to the struggles these individuals endure, and fight for meaningful interventions to relieve their burden. Hathorn’s combat experience provides insight on therapies and technologies that could bring effective and lasting change to service members in deployed and non-deployed settings.

The Peer Reviewed Orthopaedic Research Program (PRORP) focuses on various efforts to develop impactful therapies and technologies for those affected by orthopaedic injuries. Hathorn said he first heard about the PRORP from his cousin, a decade-long-serving Navy Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman. Hathorn said he saw a great opportunity to share his experiences and those of his comrades with subject-matter experts dedicated to improving the lives of service members, Veterans, and civilians with orthopaedic-related injuries.

“The consumer reviewer cannot bring about these technologies, therapies, and advancements alone,” Hathorn said. “Conversely, scientists, researchers, and engineers cannot conceptualize and plan for every factor service members encounter in the field when deploying these technologies, therapies, and advancements.”

As a consumer peer reviewer, Hathorn said the forum with CDMRP connects those with lived experiences related to the research area with other panel members, such as scientists, clinicians, researchers, and engineers, seeking practicable and impactful solutions. He said he felt this opportunity would not otherwise be possible.

“It takes all disciplines, experiences, and insights to arrive at applicable advancements for service members, and that is why I enjoy the PRORP, as it is a team effort with a charitable purpose,” Hathorn said.

Outside of his work with CDMRP, Hathorn stated he enjoys camping, hiking, snowboarding, reading, and spending time with his wife and dog. He said he is currently enrolled in school at Yale University as part of his goal to become a physician assistant.

He said he also frequently meets people in his daily life who thank him for his military service. Hathorn said he felt grateful for the work of the PRORP. The program’s mission is to fund innovative, high-impact, clinically relevant research addressing treatment and rehabilitation needs for those with musculoskeletal injuries sustained during combat and service-related activities. Hathorn said that he values the program puts their appreciation for service members and Veterans into action.

“The PRORP is helping find impactful solutions for real problems for service members, Veterans, and their Families,” Hathorn said. “The funding allocated for this program, combined with the quality of individuals actively solving for solutions, has me excited about the future health and longevity of those affiliated with the military.”

The views, opinions, and/or findings contained in this paper are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of Defense position, policy, or decision.