A former captain in the U.S. Army, Michael "Mickey" Joseph Gerold is the managing member of 111 Veteran Direct, LLC and has launched several veteran-focused enterprises throughout his career. Michael Joseph Gerold also founded Fighters for Freedom from Fear and We DO for the Troops. He created wrist bands for the latter that were worn by both John McCain and President Barack Obama. One of Mickey Gerold's most significant contributions to the veteran community is the creation of Legion Post 9-11. He founded the American Legion affiliate while working as an assistant professor of military science at the University of San Francisco (USF). As opposed to other posts that catered to older veterans, he sought to attract veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan by arranging activities such as skydiving and paintball. It also offers medical services and promotes higher education for its members. Mr. Gerold served in Afghanistan as a special operations officer and was a member of the United Nations Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force. He is a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars and National Eagle Scout Association and is a past nominee for the Carnegie Award for Heroism. He completed his MBA and bachelor's degree in marketing at USF.