Meet Doug White

Doug White is a veteran and retired law enforcement professional whose journey of service began in 1993 when he enlisted as a Security Forces specialist in the U.S. Air Force. His dedication led him to the 919th Special Operations Wing and later to the U.S. Special Operations Command. On 9/11, Doug volunteered for active duty, becoming a founding member of the command’s Protective Services Detachment, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Following his military service, Doug dedicated 25 years to a major law enforcement agency in west-central Florida. He served as a patrolman, field training officer, instructor, and certified bomb technician, ultimately rising to the rank of lieutenant. Along the way, he developed a deep understanding of leadership under pressure and the complexities of serving in high-stress environments.

Doug’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Years of selfless service took a toll, leading to a moment of crisis in 2019 when he faced the invisible costs of trauma and overidentification with his professional roles. That moment became a turning point, not an ending. Through resilience, grace, and grit, Doug transformed his experience into a mission of growth and empowerment.

Today, Doug uses his story to inspire and guide veterans, first responders, and their families. Through authentic storytelling and actionable insights, he shares lessons on resilience, mental fitness, and finding purpose after transitions. Doug’s journey isn’t just about overcoming challenges—it’s about thriving beyond them and helping others do the same.

This is not a story of trauma for the sake of trauma.

This is the raw, honest truth about pushing too far, standing alone, and the hidden costs of service. It’s about the invisible wounds carried by those who stand—and continue to stand—in the breach. It’s about those moments of darkness, like sitting in a parking lot with a pistol in hand, searching for a way out.

But more than that, it’s a story of resilience, love, and finding the way forward.

Through Hiding in Plain Sight, Doug White invites you to see beyond the silence and isolation that trauma often brings. With hard-earned lessons and deeply authentic storytelling, Doug shares not just the struggles but the growth and purpose that emerge when we choose to own our stories and take steps toward healing.

This book is more than a memoir—it’s a starting point. It’s the foundation of Doug’s mission to empower veterans, first responders, and their families to thrive by breaking the silence, building resilience, and creating a new way forward together.

Order your copy today and begin your journey toward resilience and growth. Use your voice. Tell your story.

Help veterans, first responders, and their families find strength and purpose. Together, we can build a future of hope and transformation.

Listen to the

Tell This Story Podcast

A platform for veterans, first responders, and their families to share their stories, build resilience, and thrive.

Join Doug White, a veteran and retired first responder with over 30 years of combined service. Doug wrote and published Hiding in Plain Sight: The Truth about Trauma, Service, and The Way Forward to fulfill a new mission: empowering veterans, first responders, and their families to move forward with purpose and strength after a life of service.

Through his book and the Tell This Story platform, Doug’s mission is to spark authentic conversations about resilience, growth, and the unique journeys of those who serve. By sharing stories and lessons learned, this podcast fosters a community where purpose is rediscovered, and the way forward becomes clear.