Meet Our Team

Mike Pappas

Founder & Executive Director

Mike enlisted in the Army as an Infantryman in the summer of 2008. During his 14 year military career, Mike served in the 10th Mountain Division, the 75th Ranger Regiment as well as the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Additionally, Mike conducted five combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria. Mike also completed many of the Army’s most prestigious military schools to include Airborne, Pathfinder, Jumpmaster, SERE, Air Assault and Ranger school.

In 2022, Mike was medically retired due to the numerous physical and mental injuries he had sustained during his time in the Army. During that stressful transition, Mike rekindled his childhood love for golf and began his caddie career. He has since caddied at Streamsong Resort in FL, Bandon Dunes in OR and is currently looping at the world famous Pinehurst in NC.

Mike and his wife, Julia, have been married for six years and have a one-year-old son named Rory. In 2023, Mike decided to start Loops Fore Troops due to his love for caddying and wanting to help U.S. Veterans through golf.

Alexander Glenn-Camden

Founder & Director of Communications

Alex joined the Army as an Infantryman in 2010. After completing Basic Training and Airborne School, Alex reported to

2-506th, 4th Brigade “Currahee” of the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, KY. Shortly after arriving in Kentucky, Alex deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). On March 27th, 2011, Alex and his platoon walked into an ambush while on a dismounted foot patrol. During the attack, Alex sustained a gun shot wound to the neck and as a result, was awarded a Purple Heart and was medically discharged from the Army.

Once home, Alex was looking for an escape from his PTS, depression and the pain from his injuries. It was then that Alex found golf. It didn’t take long for Alex to get consumed in all things golf rather than focusing on his PTS or other mental and physical injuries. Alex credits golf for saving his life and hopes that by helping create Loops Fore Troops, he can help other veterans find the same peace he did through golf and caddying.

Alex lives in Southern California and is recently married to his wife Nicole.

Andrew Bachelder

Founder, Director of Recruitment & Mentoring

Andrew Bachelder enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2002. After basic training and combat engineer school, he was assigned to 1st CEB and deployed to Iraq in 2003 & 2004. In May 2009, he deployed back to Iraq with HMLA-169 as a helicopter Crew Chief. In July 2009, they transferred to Afghanistan.

On October 26, 2009, he was involved in a mid-air helicopter collision between the Huey he was crewing and an AH-1W Cobra. Andrew was one of two survivors of the six Marines. Andrew sustained catastrophic injuries to his body and as a result, was medically retired in November 2011, and then moved back home to Fort Worth, TX.

After moving home, Andrew struggled with PTS, depression, survivors guilt and chronic pain. These physical and mental injuries ultimately led to a suicide attempt in 2012. It was then that Andrew found golf which played a critical role in his physical and mental recovery.

Andrew is a two-time winner of the President Bush Warrior Open and has competed both competitively and casually across the country where he spreads the game of golf to other veterans.

Andrew and his wife, Debi, have been married for 21 years and have two children, Kaitlin 18 and Jacob 16. Andrew credits his survival and daily drive to his wife, family, golf and caddying. Currently, Andrew is a seasoned caddie at Brook Hollow in Dallas Texas.

Ambassador

Gabe Bornemann

Friend & Senior Caddie at Bandon Dunes

Gabe joined the Army as a Fire Support Specialist in November 2006. Over the course of his military career, Gabe deployed three time to Iraq. Once out of the military, Gabe found golf as a way to cope with his PTS. He quickly realized that not only was it fun to play, but that caddying could also be a way for him to use golf as a healing mechanism. Gabe ended up securing a caddie job at Bandon Dunes where two years later, he became a senior caddie.

In 2023, Founder Mike Pappas met Gabe while looping at Bandon Dunes. The pair quickly hit it off and became close friends. Naturally, once Loops Fore Troops found out that Bandon Dunes wanted to be the host for our Inaugural session, Mike reached out to Gabe to see if he would like to be our “Boots on the Ground” ambassador. Gabe accepted and has since been a vital part to the success of our inaugural session.

We can’t thank Gabe enough for not only being a great friend but also a great ambassador for our program.

Session Sponsor

Stay in the Loop

Subscribe to our newsletter for all Loops Fore Troops updates.

Loops Fore Troops is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

Tax ID 93-2779516