CRF’s Music Man

   Mitchell Coyle represents a symphony of experience and expertise.

   He traveled the world as a Navy construction electrician, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology from Colorado State University, was an integration technician (rocket mechanic) for the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, provided finance management for work teams, worked with underserved LA youths for a program called Hip Hop for Change, and been a publicist for several Billboard 100 artists.

   Not exactly the background required to secure the job of Chief Marketing Officer for Combat Recovery Foundation (CRF), headquartered in Loveland, Colo.

   Oh yeah, I forgot to mention you should google “Mitchell James Musical Artist” to see Coyle’s highly professional music videos. He has toured the United States and Europe performing his energized music under his stage name (James is Mitchell’s middle name).

   Whew, that’s a lot of life and resume fodder for a 34-year old man. But after an hour with Mitchell you sense that huge tank of zeal crammed in that thin frame.

   First, a bit of background. Mitchell and his brother navigated rough childhoods in Fresno, Calif. “Dad died when I was young and Mom was an addict,” Mitchell says matter-of-factly. “I bounced around as a kid.” The siblings lacked a firm foundation so his older brother joined the Navy, which seemed to work well for him. About 18 months later, in 2012, Mitchell enlisted to the Navy. “It was close to my last resort,” says Mitchell, who was into drugs for a few years in his hometown.

   His Navy career (2012-2019) took him far away from that hometown: Indonesia, Australia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Sicily and Gulf Port, Mississippi. An eclectic journey for an eclectic man.

A HARD RE-SET

   “I learned to tap into different parts of my brain,” Mitchell says. “I pushed myself to figure out how to break through the stagnation of life and want more. The Navy made me want to be better.” In some ways poor military leadership drove his urge to improve his life.

   He admits, “I was incredibly lax before the military.” Those six years provided what Mitchell says were a “pause and hard-reset.” He created personal goals. His hard-reset led to post-Navy action … a boatload of action.

   That pre-Combat Recovery Foundation action included to:

• Work as a rocket mechanic for SpaceX. He assembled and tested parts for the Falcon 9 rocket.
• Help underserved Los Angeles youth in a program called Hip Hop for Change. “I’ve been a music artist for years and I would go to schools and help kids better express themselves through music, which is a great and healthy outlet.”
• Be a communications and media publicist for several Billboard 100 artists in LA. He also worked on music projects for 50 Cent and Marvin Gaye.
• Serve as a counselor at an addiction and recovery center. “I had many friends choose suicide because of addiction.” His research on the topic revealed multiple factors that impact addiction. “What happens in the big world impacts individuals.”
• Earn a sociology degree from Colorado State University to better understand the disconnect between how people want to be and who they are.
• Write and perform his music in the U.S. and Europe. “I put my most time and effort into music. I often do two jobs.” Now he works for CRF in the daytime and on his music at night.

MUSIC’S HEALING POWER

   As a Navy veteran and former addiction counselor Mitchell felt intrigued by CRF and its mission and approach. He started as a volunteer in March 2025 and joined the staff two months later. When asked his duties as Chief Marketing Officer, Mitchell says, “For such a small organization it’s more all-hands-on-deck rather than all of us playing narrow roles.” In general, he hopes the efforts of he and the team create more awareness of CRF in the minds and hearts of veterans and community members. “I want people to know what we’re doing and what we plan for the future.”

   Some of those plans – with Mitchell’s help – are to integrate music into CRF offerings for veterans. “We hope to provide outlets where veterans can, if they want, use music for healing and self-expression.” In addition, CRF is in the process of building international relationships with other similar organizations. As Mitchell travels the world as a musician, he can also network in person with leaders of like-minded veteran groups.

   CRF Founder Marshall Spring believes healthy veterans have a sense of purpose, relevancy and belonging. The organization tries to help its participants realize those benefits in a variety of ways. Three of Mitchell’s songs include lyrics related to those traits.

   + “Silver Linings” – “My silver lining’s gold-plated.” CRF’s goals are to help vets thrive, not just survive.

   + “Be Nice” – “You don’t hate me, you just don’t love yourself.” CRF seeks to help vets gain or regain a sense of confidence and purpose.

   + “Bad House for a Pisces” – “Don’t matter what you do, learn to focus who you do it with.” CRF creates a vibrant and caring community for its participants.

   Mitchell believes music and CRF will form great harmony.