Mark Granda was born in California and raised in Alaska. During his childhood he spent a lot of time being active and engaged in sports activities, including cross country running, wrestling, and martial arts. Mark joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1992 after high school. Mark was stationed in Hawaii with 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines as an infantryman for 4 years.

Mark left the military and began his law enforcement career with the Sitka Police Department where he served for 3.5 years as a field training officer as well as D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Officer. In 2021 Mark did a lateral transfer to the Alaska State Troopers where he served in a variety of assignments. The assignments included patrol, major crimes investigations, child abuse investigation unit, rural assignments, judicial services, and the bureau of highway patrol. During his career he was able to attend the National Forensic Academy in Tennessee as well as several child forensic interview courses.

Mark also became involved in the peer support program with the Alaska State Troopers. Mark also worked for Southcentral Foundation with Soldier’s Heart and worked in peer led intensives that helped veterans and first responders dealing with PTS (Post Traumatic Stress). This all happened after Mark found him struggling with the pressures of the career and found he needed help as well. Mark has been in recovery since November 2019.

My Why: 

I found Warrior’s Heart after talking with an alumni from the program. I began reaching out to the Warrior’s Heart staff and learned more about the mission of bringing our warriors home and found that this was where I wanted to be. I wanted to become a part of the team that welcomed our warrior’s home and share with our warriors that they are not alone.