For a full list of resources available to veterans in Texas, visit the bottom of this article.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Caleb White returned home after serving 11 years in the United States Marine Corps and went on two deployments to Afghanistan. After White returned home, he faced a new kind of battle, the transition to civilian life.
White served primarily in the infantry during his time in the Marine Corps. He also spent several years in the security forces and on recruiting duty. College was not for him, and mental health challenges like PTSD and physical injuries created obstacles, making everyday life a real struggle.
“I didn’t really have a problem with the grades or anything, White said. “It was just kind of like torture.”
The process of coming home felt like a storm to White, but he was able to receive a service dog with financial support from The Patriotic Service Dogs Foundation. This decision, he said, was the push he needed to help him make a significant change to his life.
At first, asking for help did not come easily. He had a sort of “suck it up, buttercup” mentality about it. But he quickly realized that was not helping.
“So I did not want to address it because either it means that you have a problem or you’re weak or what have you, White said. I just tried to bury it, and that never really works out well long term, so I’m definitely glad I finally reached out.”
The power within wood
Although White’s service dog made a big difference with his mental and physical health, his PTSD was still of concern. And that is when White’s woodworking journey began — a simple idea to help him cope with PTSD that he thought of alongside his wife.
The two started an Etsy shop together, gathered up salvaged plywood and small trinkets. Their simple idea quickly evolved into a thriving business, ‘White Oaks Woodworking’.
“I bought some hardwood, cut it into strips, took a picture, and said, ‘I’m going to make a cutting board, White recalled. Within 24 hours, I had eight orders.”
White took a leap and connected with the Semper Fi & America’s Fund. He joined their apprenticeship program and discovered that woodworking was really helping him to cope with his PTSD and get his mind off things that triggered him.
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Image of Caleb White’s happy customer holding a custom cutting board. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer holding a custom cutting board. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer using one of his custom cutting boards. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer with a custom cutting board. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer with a custom cutting board. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer using one of his custom cutting boards. -
Image of Caleb White’s happy customer using one of his custom cutting boards. -
Image of a cutting board Caleb White custom made for a happy customer. -
One of Caleb White’s custom cutting boards.
His craftsmanship attracted attention from a local barbecue owner, John Brotherton, the owner of Brotherton’s Black Iron Barbecue in Pflugerville. White asked Brotherton if he could craft a cutting board for him for free, in exchange for an honest review. He was determined to create top-of-the-line cutting boards.
“He said, screw you, I’m going to pay you,” White said. After Brotherton insisted on paying, he also connected White with a network of the top Texas barbecue spots; seven of those spots use White’s cutting boards to this date.
“Having that acknowledgement that what I was doing was good work, and the fact that it plugged me into a whole other network of people who are all really supportive, White said. A lot of them are veterans themselves, and just kind of broaden the horizons and broaden more people in my life that have really made an impact as well.”
Building a supportive community
The woodshop he created with his wife was more than a business. It became a space for other retired veterans to find healing and build connections. White now mentors other veterans, introducing them to woodworking just as he was.
“I like to help other people,” he said. “Being able to connect them with resources to help themselves is really nice.”
White and his community of veteran woodworkers rely on each other for motivation and to be there for one another when things feel hard. They have a group chat of about 10 to 15 veterans, where they share projects, techniques and overall support. The group has become their lifeline.
“We’re all there for each other,” White said. “Whether it’s a phone call or just a funny meme to poke fun at and tell you to suck it up.”
White encourages veterans who are struggling to seek help and reject the stigma around mental health. “The whole fake tough guy thing of not wanting to, you know, if I ask for help, then I’m weak,” he said. That’s garbage because you’re weak for not asking.”
He wants to highlight the emphasis that healing is possible and that every veteran deserves support, regardless of their experiences.
“Even if you don’t think your struggles are as bad as someone else’s, it doesn’t matter,” White said. “What’s in your mind is in your mind. Process it so you can live a good life and be there for those who love you.”
Helpful veteran resources
- Austin VA Vet Center
- Hope for Heroes
- Lifestance Health
- Caritas of Austin
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Pledge to Patriots
- Healing with Horses Ranch
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