our tribe
We are the 2.1 million active duty and reserve personnel who serve globally in the Department of Defense. Nearly half (50.7%) of active duty personnel are 25 years old or younger and are married (45.7%). More than one-third (38.3%) of reservists are 25 years old or younger and less than half are married (43.7%)
This powerful, yet minute demographic constitutes to only 1% of the U.S. population.
These numbers do not include the 16 million veterans who served in our ranks before us.
We come from every corner of the country, even different parts of the world and are joined by a common goal – to serve our country.
what is a liborisk?
LiboRisk is a military colloquialism derived from the phrase “Liberty Risk.” Used prevalently in the Marine Corps, troops who were coined as “LiboRisks” had to be watched more carefully and were punished more often for mishaps during liberty and leave. Because “LiboRisk” is used irreverently and is associated to a troops “free-time,” we believe this would be the best name for our community.
We welcome any active duty or reserve personnel of the U.S. Armed Forces.
And veterans from any branch of service, any era and any stature. Meaning, we do not discriminate based on discharge or disability.
The boot print is symbolic to all service members and veterans because boots are an issued item of clothing for all troops. Every single one of us has worn a pair of combat boots and they have carried us, literally and figuratively, through the trials and tribulations of military service. Boots are also a common footwear for hikers, explorers, travelers, etc. The boot print is an interchangeable icon for travel and the military.
The founder
Hi, my name is Jess and I am the founder of LiboRisk.
Inspired by my grandmother’s adventures, I embarked on my first solo-backpacking trip to Thailand in 2016 and have been traveling ever since.
I served 8 years as a an active duty photojournalist and marketing director in the Marine Corps.
Traveling as a troop is not easy and we have to endure many restraints and prerequisites in order to travel. I wanted to ease that process by fostering a community that educates and inspires members to see every corner of the world.
I built a school bus into a tiny home so I could live as frugally and nomadically as possible. I embody a life of freedom, curiosity and risk, so I can ultimately empower other veterans to take charge of their life and experience life beyond the military.
My time, focus and money is is on LiboRisk. This is my life’s testimony – to help others tap into the unknown, grow as individuals and leave a better footprint.
I am a LiboRisk.
our ethos
Each branch of service upholds their own ethos and demands every person in uniform to abide by those codes of ethics. Living by the LiboRisk ethos means you are committing to a community, culture and lifestyle that thrives on being better and doing better, regardless of your uniform, rank, medals or deployments. These core tenants are what we thrive on and are the foundations of our “campfire culture.”
Ethos is a Greek word meaning “character” that is used to describe the guiding beliefs or ideals that characterize a community, nation, or ideology; and the balance between caution, and passion. Imbedded in ethos are values, which help us live with direction and purpose – like a guiding compass. Whatever is going on in our lives, our values can show us a path forward, and help us make better choices.
Below are our ethos that guide how we operate as a company and as a community. Every person that is a part of LiboRisk must be receptive, respectful and of course, risky. This is how we elevate our standards every day.
receptive
There are two kinds of people in the world — those with a closed mindset and those who are ridiculously open-minded to new experiences. Open-minded people see things differently than people who are closed to new experiences. Openness to experience is characterized by flexible cognition — open people are more curious, creative, and motivated to explore the world and engage with possibilities.
respectful
When we travel, we’re so grateful to have the experience of being welcomed into another culture, to have the opportunity to explore, to interact with locals, to eat their food, participate in their rituals and enjoy aspects of life so different from what we are used to back home. To travel respectfully is to travel mindfully. It is to observe and listen and learn and realize the impact of each of our choices—however small—on every aspect of our experience: culturally, socially, environmentally, economically.
risky
The ability to take calculated risks is an essential human trait, crucial to our development as a species and as individuals. Our growth is stagnant when we’re within the confines of our comfort zones. If we want to grow, we need to take risks and put ourselves in situations we’ve never been in before. If that means swimming with sharks, exploring a new destination alone, trying a new cuisine or hitting up a community event - then do it.
