Military Travel Club Addresses Service Member Isolation

Veterans and active-duty personnel use RV tours to foster community and mitigate isolation.

Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Military Jobs

Bold vector editorial illustration of a recreational vehicle traveling along a mountain road at sunset, depicting community-focused military lifestyle initiatives. — The Special Military Active Recreational Travelers club connects veterans and active-duty members through organized RV caravans to combat social isolation. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Do you believe organized group travel and activities effectively combat loneliness for military veterans?

The Special Military Active Recreational Travelers (SMART) club organizes regional RV caravans and national musters to connect service members. This effort addresses the social isolation impacting significant portions of the military community.

Why it matters

Loneliness affects 53% of active-duty service members and 40% of veterans, creating a demand for social infrastructure. Organizations like SMART provide structured fellowship to bridge the gap between civilian life and military service.

SMART reports a current membership of 600, a decrease from its historical peak of 4,000 in the 1980s. The organization serves a population that includes over 18 million veterans living in the U.S.

The players

Special Military Active Recreational Travelers

A military-focused social club headquartered in Molino, Florida, that coordinates recreational vehicle tours.

National Institutes of Health

A primary agency of the U.S. government responsible for biomedical and public health research.

Department of Veterans Affairs

The federal agency tasked with providing services and support to U.S. military veterans.

The details

Founded in 1982 and based in Molino, Florida, the club operates chapters throughout North America. It facilitates interaction through organized caravans that follow pre-planned routes to regional musters, including events like balloon festivals and foliage tours. These gatherings feature classes and seminars designed to maintain camaraderie among active-duty personnel, who receive free memberships, and veterans or their spouses.

1973: The U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force.
1982: The Special Military Active Recreational Travelers club was founded.
2022: The National Institutes of Health conducted a study on service member isolation.
2023: The Department of Veterans Affairs conducted a study on veteran loneliness.

Market Landscape

The organizational model of SMART follows a decades-long tradition of veteran service groups emerging after the 1973 transition to an all-volunteer military force. This social structure provides a necessary counterweight to the isolation often documented by federal health agencies.

Operators looking to support veteran initiatives should note the high prevalence of isolation among the 18 million U.S. veterans. Building social cohesion through active engagement programs remains a critical retention and wellness strategy for this demographic.

The takeaway

Loneliness is a measurable and prevalent hurdle for the military community that warrants focused organizational attention. Business leaders can track the effectiveness of social-integration programs by measuring participation in structured group activities.