David Shelton is a service-disabled veteran, United States Marine Corps infantryman, entrepreneur, and advocate for mental health and post-traumatic growth. David served as an infantry Marine in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he experienced firsthand the demands and intensity of high-stress operational environments.

Following his military service, David continued serving the mission as a civilian with the U.S. Army, working in a Department of Defense engineering support role. Between his time as a Marine infantryman and his civilian service with the Army, David spent a combined 15 years supporting the U.S. military and national defense mission. While the uniforms changed, the responsibility, pressure, and pace did not—and over time, the cumulative effects became impossible to ignore.

In August 2025, David attended a mental health retreat at The Mission Within with a scholarship from Mission to Live Foundation. This experience marked a pivotal point in his personal healing journey. Through that experience, David began learning how to slow down, reconnect, and process years of unaddressed stress, recognizing that strength is not only found in endurance, but also in reflection, vulnerability, and support.

David is the owner of a precision manufacturing company supporting the defense industry, led with the same values that guided his service: accountability, integrity, faith, and service to others. He is deeply committed to his family and to creating environments—personally and professionally—where people feel supported, grounded, and empowered to grow.

As an Ambassador for Mission to Live Foundation, David is passionate about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health, encouraging others to seek help without shame, and sharing the message that asking for support is not weakness—it is leadership.