COLUMBIA, S.C. - Retired Air Force Veteran Laura Robbins has been selected as the first female Veteran of the Quarter for the 2023-2024 nomination cycle.

Laura Robbins is United States Air Force Veteran (1989-1998), serving in the Gulf War and Dessert Shield. After she separated from service with an Honorable Discharge and numerous medals and awards for her service, Laura took her experience as an Information Manager and transitioned to an Administrative Assistant in a corporate setting. Over a few short years, Robbins rose to the level of Executive Assistant, supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Board Chief of a multi-million-dollar company.

Robbins is a Dually Certified Peer Support Specialist working with individuals struggling with substance misuse and mental health illness at a nonprofit organization. She is an Alcohol and Drug Counselor-In Process and is a recent graduate from Liberty University with her Masters in Addictions Counseling. Laura received her Certification in Addiction Treatment in Military and Veteran Culture through the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and is a Certified South Carolina Palmetto Pathfinder.

In January 2004, Laura began her personal journey away from substance misuse to a life of recovery and sobriety. This change eventually led her to a path of helping others struggling with addiction in her community as an Addictions Counselor and Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS).

In 2019, Robbins got her start at Faces and Voices of Recovery (FAVOR) Piedmont which covers six counties in upper South Carolina. She began her CPSS work with the adult drug court diversion programs, and more recently with the Veterans Court Alternative Program (VCAP) in the 6th and 16th circuits. In 2021, Robbins started the first virtual Veterans Recovery Support Groups for Veterans struggling with addiction, life/military transitions, and mental health support in her area. She now conducts individual Telehealth sessions with Veterans enrolled in VCAP, self-referrals, and other community referrals. The contributions Robbins makes help to remove the stigma about addiction and mental health, while bringing light to the importance of our Veteran population.

Robbins' family includes her daughter and three dogs.