22 to Zero: Real Strategies to Prevent Veteran Suicide
Every day, veterans struggle in silence.
Not because help doesn't exist-
but because the system doesn't always reach them in time.
For years, the conversation has centered on a number:
"22 a day."
But this book asks a more important question:
Why is it still happening-and what can we actually do about it?
Written by a veteran with firsthand experience navigating both military life and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system, 22 to Zero: Real Strategies to Prevent Veteran Suicide moves beyond awareness and into action.
This is not a book of theory.
It is a field guide for prevention.
Inside, you will discover:
- The real drivers behind veteran suicide-not just the symptoms
- Why the first 12-24 months after service are the most dangerous
- How disconnection, identity loss, and system gaps increase risk
- What actually works-from evidence-based therapies to peer support
- How to recognize warning signs before crisis occurs
- What to do in the moment that matters most
At the center of the book is a simple, powerful framework:
Recognize. Respond. Refer.A model that equips
anyone-not just clinicians-to take action when it counts.
Because the truth is:
The person who saves a life is often not a system.
It's a person who notices... and steps in.
Designed for:
- Veterans
- Families
- Leaders and employers
- Clinicians and policymakers
- Anyone willing to act when it matters most
This book transforms complex systems into
clear, actionable steps that can be used in real-world situations.
It is both:
A
call to actionAnd a
practical playbookBecause preventing veteran suicide is not someone else's responsibility.
It's all of ours.
AUTHOR BIOWayne J. Gombar is a veteran, federal executive, and doctoral researcher focused on critical infrastructure, national security, and complex risk environments. With extensive experience operating within and alongside federal systems, he currently serves in a senior leadership role supporting critical infrastructure programs, with a particular emphasis on federal agencies and high-security environments.
Throughout his career, Wayne has worked closely with government stakeholders, contractors, and operational teams, gaining firsthand insight into how systems function, and where they fail. His experience navigating the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs system, combined with his broader federal work, has shaped his understanding of the challenges veterans face during transition and beyond.
In addition to his professional work, Wayne is a doctoral candidate in criminal justice, where his research examines complex social and structural dynamics, including system-level influences on behavior and risk. His academic work, combined with real-world experience, informs a practical, action-oriented approach to problem-solving.
22 to Zero: Real Strategies to Prevent Veteran Suicide reflects both his personal connection to the veteran community and his professional commitment to improving systems that impact lives. Rather than focusing solely on awareness, Wayne's work emphasizes execution, translating knowledge into actionable strategies that individuals, organizations, and communities can apply in real-world situations.
He brings a unique perspective that bridges lived experience, federal operations, and academic rigor, focused on one goal:
Turning understanding into action when it matters most...
