Meet Our Expert Guides

The Post-traumatic model dictates that in order to facilitate Posttraumatic Growth, trauma survivors will benefit from expert companionship. The concept of expert companionship emphasizes that trauma survivors first need companionship, and the companion must be first willing to learn from the trauma survivor about their life and experiences, and not start with taking a position of knowing how that person should live their life. The concept of expert companionship emphasizes that the relationship is more important that the technical expertise. Therefore, paraprofessionals and partners in the trauma survivorship can be very effective in facilitating PTG.

During your time at the Big Red Barn Retreat in the Warrior PATHH program, we refer to the role of expert companion as an Expert Guide.

Living well and struggling well requires humility, regular and intentional Wellness Practices, a strong support network, and the setting and accomplishing of goals.

There are ten key attributes necessary to be an Expert Guide:

• An Expert Guide is congruent. They’re head and heart are connected, and thoughts , feelings and actions are positively aligned, that one can respond to life, rather then react to it.
• An Expert Guide is honest. In a world that can often be indirect and passive-aggressive, Expert Guides say what they mean and men what they say.
• An Expert Guide is open. The capacity and willingness to share lessons, experiences, and struggles honestly is what makes Guides successful.
• An Expert Guide is patient. Every human being is on a journey at their own pace and in their own way. Guides must meet people where they are at, and trust in the journey that they’re on.
• An Expert Guide Shows positive regard. At times, people can be challenging and frustrating, but no matter what, Guides maintain positive regard.
• An Expert Guide is prepared. Expert Guides take the time to learn, practice, and deeply understand the Warrior PATHH program, hence it enhances their ability to deliver the content to people who need it.
• An Expert Guide is fully present. Guides will devote all of their time, attention, and effort to the people they are working with
• An Expert Guide is curious. Every human being as a story to tell and deserves the opportunity to share it. Guides will ask thought-provoking questions and minimize talking.

Who Are Our Expert Guides?

Expert Guides are honorable, gracious, supportive, authentic and never miss an opportunity to be quiet and listen.

Lamont Christian “Chris”, Warrior PATHH Program Director

Lamont is originally from Brooklyn, NY, and later moved to Fayetteville, NC. He graduated in 1983 from E.E Smith High School and attended North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC. While there, Chris enlisted in the Army Reserves, completing Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, VA as a Parachute Rigger in 1986.

Chris then chose to enter Active Duty as an Infantryman and served in multiple combat units across the Army at Fort Bragg, NC, Schofield Barracks, HI, Federal Republic of Germany, Fort Benning, GA, Fort Campbell, KY and Fort Jackson, SC. Through all of these assignments, he served in positions of military authority from private to the most senior enlisted Soldier of a military base as Command Sergeant Major.

Chris’s background in leading was best observed before, during, and after multiple contingency and combat operations to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He is recognized around the world as America’s Drill Sergeant, having led the Army’s only drill Sergeant Academy and having his voice premiered in the Gatorade HARD WORK cadence commercial. Later, he was hand selected by the Army’s senior leaders to serve as the senior Enlisted advisor to the Commander of the worlds largest training post and center of excellence for initial military training at Fort Jackson, SC.

Although retired, he continues to serve and help others with their lives. He is honored to lead the effort to bring Warrior PATHH to South Carolina. Chris currently lives in Columbia, SC and serves as the Director of the PATHH program for The Big Red Barn Retreat. He recognizes that this program is figuratively and literally a way to change the narrative, promote wellness, and post traumatic growth, so that veterans and first responders can gain the tools to turn their struggle into strength.

Jason Dersch, PATHH Guide

Jason graduated high school in San Antonio, Texas and immediately joined the Army in 1998. He spent over fourteen years on Active Duty, with the majority of his time as an Airborne Infantryman with the famed 82nd Airborne Division. He served in the Division’s Long Range Surveillance Detachment, where he earned his Ranger Tab and the 1-505 PIR Scout Platoon. He gained his B4/Sniper qualification and earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. After an amazing time in the Army, he ETS’ed and went on “vacation.”

He sold all that he owned, bought a motorcycle, and traveled across the country for three years, eventually heading to Mexico. While in Mexico, he decided to pursue a passion he had while growing up: cooking. He opened a small restaurant (American Burgers and BBQ) to indulge in his passion. Soon after, he opened a second restaurant.

Jason decided to take advantage of his GI Bill and returned to the states to attend Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy in San Fransisco. He graduated with honors and received his degree in Culinary Arts. After seven years in Mexico, he decided to leave the culinary world and try something new. Jason attended The Paul Mitchel School of Cosmetology and received his Barbering License in California. He was a barber for two years and decided that it was not the path he wanted to follow.

Jason realized the demons he had been fighting since separating from the army needed to be dealt with. After being introduced to Warrior PATHH by a good friend, he attended BCR Warrior PATHH 069 in 2019.

After going through PATHH with BRBR Director of WP, Lamont Christian, Jason decided to make the move from California to South Carolina to be a PATHH Guide for the new program at the BRBR. He lives in Blythewood, SC with his partner, Brenda, two step-daughters, Izel and Baron, and three ankle biters, Suki, Kiki, and Mimi. He is currently working on his own PATHH (12-months in) and struggling well!

Carla Walters, PATHH Guide

Carla was born in 1968 in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the oldest of three, with two younger brothers, John and Jeffery. After graduating from Walker High School, she joined the United States Army on the delayed entry program.

She joined the United States Army as a way of giving back to her mother who had wanted to be in the military but placed motherhood above that dream. As well, Carla’s father served in the military at the time of her birth, so serving was in her blood. Carla was stationed at Fort Eustis, VA and served in the Gulf War in 1991. She also served in Iraqi Freedom Operation in 2003. In total, Carla served a total of 14 years.

After leaving service, Carla became a dental assistant, mother, wife, and a student. All of this eventually led to her joining the Army Reserves to serve more.

After loosing both her mom and husband in 2018, a nurse at the Veterans Hospital Hospice Center introduced her to Warrior PATHH. Carla met CMS (Ret) Christian, BRBR PATHH Director, through a mutual friend and fell in love with the concept of bettering herself while helping others.

Carla has a deep passion to serve using her time and love; committed to giving back to her church, family, and community. She sees Warrior PATHH as an opportunity to continue service and give back to those who understand struggle as she does. After attending Warrior PATHH herself, she realized she can help so many in a way that aligns with her passions in life.

Carla currently lives in Atlanta with her friend and “Battle Buddy” of 30 years. After finishing the PATHH program, she decided to reenroll in school to complete her Bachelors Degree. She is an empty nester and learning what life looks like with no children at home.

Billy Britt, PATHH Guide

Billy was born in Dearborn, Michigan and moved to Lexington, SC with his sister and parents when he was 10. Growing up with a grandfather who served in the Navy, Billy always heard stories that were quite enticing to him and gave him a desire to serve. As a senior in high school, he had planned to work on diesel engines for the Marines, however, after 9/11, he decided to change his MOS to infantry. Billy served in the 2nd battalion 2nd marines raiders in Iraq from 2002-2006. After his contract was up, he could no longer serve due to some injuries and came back home.

After leaving service, he pursued a life long passion as an underwater welder. He worked on decommissioning hydroelectric dams, subsea construction, and repairs in the Gulf of Mexico oil field. After many years in that industry, he decided to hang up his dive hat and find a different way to serve. Billy moved back home to Lexington and started his own construction company, where they focus on hiring veterans and donating yearly percentages to local veteran organizations.

Billy found Warrior PATHH after learning that he needed to deal with some of the dark areas of his life. After completing his initial 7-day training at Bouldercrest, he felt a drive to help others find the tools to transform their lives, just as he had found the tools to transform his own. He began working for Bouldercrest where he was trained as a Warrior PATHH Guide for the Mobile Training Team.

Billy currently lives in Lexington, SC with his two dogs, Dixie and Reece. He has a few chickens and is looking to expand livestock in the future. Billy is excited to be a part of Warrior PATHH in his home state and in sharing this program that is full of passion and purpose, help other gain the ability to turn their struggle into profound strength.

Robert Stevens, PATHH Guide

Robert was born and raised in Tucson, AZ. Growing up he listened to his Father and uncle talk about their jobs. His father was an EMT and his Uncle was a Tucson Police Officer. After some thought Robert decided he wanted to carry on his family’s legacy of service to his Community. He couldn’t decide if that was going to be in the form of becoming a Pastor, or a First Responder. After getting married in 2011 to his wife Chelsea, Robert relocated to Columbia, SC where Chelsea was attending The University of South Carolina in March of 2012. He applied at the Columbia Police Department at the same time he enrolled in a program to get a degree in theology. He decided to leave the job choice up to fate. Six months later He got a call from the Columbia Police Department to begin his hiring process and his decision was made.

Robert served the Midlands for a total of 5 years as a Law Enforcement Officer. He worked in the City of Columbia’s North Region which accounted for the majority of Violent Crimes committed in the city at the time. He then went on to serve the Chapin, Irmo, Cayce, and West Columbia area as a Sheriff’s Deputy with the Lexington County Sheriff’s department’s North Region Patrol Division before being assigned to the Warrant Division. He left Law Enforcement after spending a year with the Springdale Police Department. While serving in Law Enforcement Robert began struggling with anxiety, and depression after his oldest son was born and that ultimately led to him leaving the job. After leaving law enforcement he became a licensed plumber and gas fitter for a local plumbing company during which time he began experiencing debilitating panic attacks, which would be followed by depression. After being diagnosed with PTSD, Generalized Anxiety, and Panic Disorder Robert began looking for resources for former first responders and was surprised to find that there wasn’t any. Around the same time Robert’s mother called his wife and told her about this new program called “Warrior PATHH” that had just come to Blythewood and got her in touch with Billy. Robert attended the very first Warrior PATHH Program at the Big Red Barn. Robert attended and immediately realized how helpful the program was for him. He also realized the dire need for a program like Warrior PATHH for all first responders. After leaving the program Robert realized that getting involved in the program would be the best way for him to continue to serve others, and also his brothers and sisters in the first responder community. Robert currently lives in Lexington, South Carolina with his wife Chelsea, his two sons Hunter, and Avery, and their daughter Autumn. He and his wife are also expecting a baby girl in May of 2022. He is happy to have the opportunity to serve the men and women he used to serve alongside and help provide them the opportunity to begin to heal and live a life that is better today than it was yesterday.