Our Leadership

Co-Founder

Justin Lafollette

Army Veteran • Veterans Advocate • Community Leader

Justin Lafollette is an Army veteran, veterans advocate, and community leader based in Southern Illinois. He served as a 45K Armament Repairer, with military assignments and training that took him to Fort Knox, Fort Irwin, Camp Dodge, WHFRTC, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, and Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Belle Chasse. His background also includes service as a volunteer firefighter and an Illinois auxiliary police officer.

Justin serves as State Secretary for an Illinois veteran nonprofit, helping connect veterans through hunting, fishing, camping, off-roading, and other outdoor activities.

He is also the co-founder of Forward Element Offroad, a community built around trail rides, peer support, and getting people back outdoors. An avid off-road enthusiast, Justin rides and continues to build his 2024 Kawasaki Mule PRO-FXT 1000 Platinum Ranch Edition for trail and mud use.

Through Forward Element Offroad, Justin works to strengthen connections, reduce isolation, and support suicide prevention efforts within the military, veteran, and first responder communities. He believes shared purpose, honest conversation, and time outdoors can help people find their way forward.

Co-Founder

Garrett Guetersloh

Army Veteran • Veterans Advocate • Trail Boss

Garrett Guetersloh is an 11-year Army veteran who began his service as a 13B Cannon Crewmember before transitioning to a 15Q Air Traffic Controller. He deployed with the 10th Mountain Division during Operation Enduring Freedom 11 to FOB Shank, Afghanistan, and was stationed at Giessen, Camp Casey, Fort Drum, and Fort Rucker.

Garrett serves as the Illinois State Team Lead for The Fallen Outdoors, helping veterans reconnect through hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor experiences.

He is also a co-founder of Forward Element Offroad, where he helps bring people together through trail rides, peer support, and time outdoors. Based in Southern Illinois, Garrett enjoys hunting, fishing, working out, and hitting the trails in his 2021 RZR Turbo S.

Through his leadership, Garrett works to build lasting connections, reduce isolation, and create more opportunities for veterans and first responders to find purpose and camaraderie outdoors.