Eric Darling

Sergeant First Class (Retired) Eric Darling was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He joined the Army in February of 1987. He has served as a Senior Human Resources Sergeant, Master Resilience Trainer, Suicide Intervention Trainer, Range Operations Sergeant, Readiness NCO, Infantry Platoon Sergeant, Infantry Squad Leader, Recruiter, Drill Sergeant and a Military Policeman.   He participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was deployed to the AL Anbar Province of Iraq from 2005 to 2006. He has been assigned to the following units: the 402nd MP Company, Ashley PA, the 98th Division Olean NY, the 109th Infantry Regiment, Scranton PA, the 55th Heavy Combat Team, Scranton PA, and the 109th Field Artillery Regiment, Wilkes Barre PA. During his tenure as the 55th Brigade Resilience Coordinator, Sergeant First Class Darling developed, managed, and delivered the Army’s Resilience and Suicide Intervention programs to over 3500 soldiers throughout the Brigade.  

Since 9/11, Eric has lost eight soldiers to suicide; seven in combat, and four to combined use of prescription drugs and alcohol. He created Valhalla Veterans Services in 2016 with the goal of helping veterans and their families find connection, purpose, and hope. Eric has completed a Master of Arts in counseling at Clarks Summit University. He is also VVS’s in-house counselor, curriculum writer, and trainer. He recently developed a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy curriculum for delivery to veterans called Warriors Path 2 Peace (WP2P).