Georg-Andreas Pogany is a retired Sergeant First Class (SFC) and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran. After obtaining a bachelor's in criminology from the University of South Florida, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve. In 1998, he switched services and enlisted in the Army, where he trained as a nuclear, biological and chemical warfare specialist. In 2003, he was deployed to Iraq as part of a Special Forces unit. There, he became incapacitated by toxic drug levels from the anti-malarial drug Lariam/Mefloquine. He was sent to Fort Carson, Colo., where he was diagnosed with a related brain injury. He received treatment and shortly thereafter was honorably discharged.
Since his retirement from the Army, he has worked as a veteran's and active duty service member advocate on health care, combat stress, and military justice. He created and manages "J1W2," Just One Wounded Warrior, which connects veterans and active duty service members with mental health care professionals.
