Montel Williams isn’t just a familiar face—he’s a trusted voice. As a trailblazing veteran—Williams returns for his third U.S. Veterans Magazine cover and story, and with good reason. Over the years, he has remained at the forefront of meaningful work that directly impacts veterans’ lives, using his platform to advocate for better health care, transitional support and community reinvestment.
From his decorated service in the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy to his decades of public advocacy, Williams continues to lead by example. He’s served on the board of the Fisher House Foundation for over 15 years, helping ensure military families have free lodging near VA hospitals. He hosts Military Makeover, a nationally syndicated television series that renovates homes for veteran families in need. And behind the scenes, he’s helping advance cutting-edge PTSD therapies tailored specifically for the veteran population.
Leading with Impact
Now in his late 60s, Williams remains a relentless force. Whether advocating for alternative treatments, launching tech partnerships or simply showing up where he’s needed most, Williams is proving once again that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off. It evolves. This is the story of what comes next—and how one veteran continues to lead with integrity, intention and impact.
Williams’ path to becoming one of the most visible veterans in America began, like many others, with a need for direction. A high-achieving student and musician in high school, his initial dream was to become a rock star. When that didn’t materialize, and with limited financial options for college, he looked for something more stable. “My parents had already sent three kids to college, and I didn’t want to be another burden,” he said. A close friend who had returned from the Marine Corps made a powerful impression. “When I saw him come back changed—more focused, more grounded—I thought, maybe this is for me.”
He joined the military through the Delayed Entry Program. What followed was a rapid rise—promotions, selection to the Naval Academy Prep School and then graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy. He became a cryptologic officer assigned to the National Security Agency, where he served on submarines, aircraft carriers and cruisers. He deployed extensively and earned a degree in Russian from the Defense Language Institute.
But while his military career was distinguished, it was also marred by something far too common in the veteran community: misdiagnosed medical issues. “I suffered from medical issues that were misdiagnosed at the academy, after the academy and throughout my active duty,” he recalled. “That experience opened my eyes to how many service members suffer in silence—overlooked, under-treated or dismissed.”
Stalwart Advocate
It’s this experience that ignited his lifelong commitment to advocating for veterans’ health care. “Once I got out, I realized I could be a voice for those who weren’t being heard,” Williams said. “That became my mission.”
One of the most visible platforms for that mission is Military Makeover, a nationally syndicated television show that renovates the homes of veteran families in just 10 days. Williams took over as host after being personally recommended by the show’s original host, Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey. “Gunny knew he was passing, and he told them he wanted me to take over,” Williams said. “It meant everything to be trusted with that.”
Since taking the reins, Williams and the team have transformed the lives of more than two dozen veteran families. “We bring in the whole community,” he explained. “In a recent build in Arizona, we had more than 80 volunteers—neighbors, strangers—all showing up to help. That’s what it’s about. Not just rebuilding a home but restoring hope.”
The impact is tangible. “Twenty-three out of the 24 families we’ve helped had at least one person suffering from PTSD,” he said. “Some are still carrying invisible scars from service 15 years ago. Giving them a safe, functional space to heal—that’s powerful.”
Advancing Treatment
Williams is also deeply engaged in advancing PTSD treatment and recently lent his voice to the Research and Recognition Project’s RTM (Reconsolidation of Traumatic Memories) protocol. The therapy, designed to help individuals rapidly process trauma without medication, has shown extraordinary promise. “RTM has a 75-90% success rate for veterans who go through it,” he said. “They remit all their symptoms in five to 10 hours. No drugs. No long-term programs. Just healing.”
The data speaks volumes, with double-blind clinical trials conducted at respected institutions such as Walter Reed and King’s College London. “This should be the standard of care for PTSD,” Williams said. “But like anything transformative in medicine, it’s been met with resistance. Until our community demands it, it’ll stay stuck in bureaucracy.”
That frustration—of knowing there’s a better way and watching the system move too slowly—is one Williams channels into action. It’s why he remains on the board of the Fisher House Foundation, which builds free lodging near VA hospitals for the families of veterans undergoing treatment. “Imagine being an E-4 with a spouse and child, trying to afford a hotel room for a week while your loved one is in recovery,” he said. “Fisher House eliminates that burden. They even cover flights and meals. It’s a lifeline.”
He’s also championing new medical technologies, such as My Medical Images, a platform that allows veterans to securely upload and share diagnostic imaging from their smartphones. “Veterans know the pain of dragging discs around to every appointment,” he said. “Now, you can just pull up your scans in seconds. It’s cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant and it empowers patients.”
Purpose Driven
Despite everything on his plate—television, advocacy, technology partnerships—Williams remains grounded in purpose. “People ask what keeps me going,” he said. “It’s simple. I don’t think I’ve done enough yet.”
For veterans transitioning out of the military, Williams offers hard-won wisdom. “You’re not losing your identity—you’re transforming it,” he said. “The skills you learned in uniform matter out here, too. Leadership, resilience, discipline—that stuff translates.”
His own transition wasn’t seamless. “For a while, I was running my TV show like I was still in command,” he laughed. “I forgot to say please and thank you. But I learned. You adapt. You grow. That’s what service teaches you.”
Williams encourages veterans to reflect, recalibrate and reach out. “Spend time with yourself,” he said. “Understand you’ve just finished one chapter—but you’ve got many more to go.”
Sharing Stories
Most recently, Williams added author to his long list of titles with the release of his book, The Sailing of the Intrepid. The project explores the remarkable history of the USS Intrepid, an aircraft carrier that survived torpedoes, kamikaze attacks and multiple redeployments during its decades of service. “This ship is the Unsinkable Molly Brown of the Navy,” he said. “It just kept coming back. Its resilience mirrored the very spirit of the American warfighter.”
What struck Williams most was the ingenuity and bravery of the crew. After suffering a torpedo strike that jammed its rudder, the crew rigged a makeshift sail to counterbalance the ship’s steering and navigated 1,200 miles back to Hawaii. “That’s grit,” he said. “That’s what our veterans are made of.” Today, the Intrepid is a floating museum—and through his book, Williams hopes it will inspire a new generation of Americans to better understand and appreciate military sacrifice.
Legacy in Motion
As Williams graces the cover of U.S. Veterans Magazine for a third time, he has returned with a deeper resolve grounded in his unwavering dedication to those who serve. Williams has spent every chapter of his life in pursuit of service that matters, and we applaud the work he is doing in support of our veteran community.
When asked what legacy he hopes to leave for the veteran community, he doesn’t hesitate. “We alone know our worth. And it’s how we support each other, how we make sure our government supports us, that will define us – for eternity.” And as for how he chooses to live? His personal motto speaks volumes. “I alone own the definition of who I am, and I don’t believe in the words ‘I can’t.’ Every minute I have is an opportunity to make a difference and help someone.”
It’s been an honor to share his journey again—and something tells us there’s still more ahead where Williams is concerned.
Because Williams doesn’t just leave a legacy, he builds it.
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