TERRA Search Promise is America’s first Service-Disabled Veteran owned and operated 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization dedicated to POW/MIA research, recovery, repatriation and pre-deployment recovery mission training. Established by Colonel (USA, RET) PJ Dermer in October 2020, TERRA Search Promise passionately takes the mission of recovering the nation’s Veterans to a higher level and forge participation by the Veteran community and families at large for generations to come.

TERRA Search Promise deploys field recovery expertise and professional program training to support the U.S. Government in its global efforts to locate, recover, and repatriate missing U.S. Service Personnel. It conducts these missions with maximum effectiveness and efficiency in accordance with the highest standards. Read more about what we do HERE.

TERRA is an acronym for Training & Expertise in Research, Recovery, & Analysis. It signifies a long term, not seasonal, approach to recovery operations.

The logo incorporates the U.S. flag and its embedded colors symbolizing our commitment to our Nation. The wings symbolize our aspirations toward reaching the highest standards and success in our field.
The POW silhouette in the logo is drawn from the POW/ MIA banner symbolizing our core purpose. Finally, the TERRA Search Promise “T” symbolizes an archaeological survey peg, a key tool central to every recovery survey and field operation.

TERRA Search Promise is always looking to recruit. You can join us as a volunteer, through our volunteer program. Or you can join our core team. To find out more click HERE.

TERRA Search Promise was established by Colonel (USA, RET) PJ Dermer in October 2020, and became a 501©3 Non Profit Organization in the summer of 2022, to passionately take the mission of recovering the nation’s Veterans to a higher level and forge participation by the Veteran community at large for generations to come.

A prisoner of war (POW) is a combatant or non-combatant—whether a military member, an irregular military fighter, or a civilian—who is held captive by a belligerent power during or immediately after an armed conflict. Whereas, missing in action (MIA) is a casualty classification assigned to combatants, military chaplains, combat medics, and prisoners of war who are reported missing during wartime or ceasefire. Both are represented on the National League of Families POW/MIA flag (also known as the POW/MIA flag or simply the POW flag) which is officially recognized by the United States Congress as a symbol of Americas concern and commitment to resolving, as fully as possible, the fates of Americans still prisoner, missing and unaccounted for, thus ending the uncertainty for their families and the Nation.

We serve the nation and its families in a global capacity.

TERRA Search Promise prepares, trains, and deploys field recovery expertise to support the U.S. Government in its global efforts to locate, recover, and repatriate missing U.S. Service Personnel, with maximum effectiveness and efficiency, and in accordance with the highest of international standards

It is our intent to be successful with every operational venture while strategically setting the standards for all involved.

Our vision is to become a global leader in MIA recovery operations, a valued cohort in cross-generation Veteran volunteering, and a trusted senior partner to the U.S. Government in their efforts to account for our nation’s MIAs. Veterans leading the effort to recover Veterans.

It is our intent to be successful with every operational venture while strategically setting the standards for Veteran volunteers.

POW/MIA Recovery operation consists of the conduct of research and analysis regarding historical data (to include witness accounts), and collection of physical evidence from last known locations of military units and individual service members from former combat locales around the world.

First is access to the site. There are many locations around the world where just getting to the site is an operation in of itself. From here, a field recovery operation consists of a combination of heavy equipment, manual labor, and technical scientific applications, depending on the type of search and recovery i.e. individual(s), airframe, underwater or other major military vehicles and equipment.

The desired specialized skills instrumental in a recovery operation (on land) are archaeologists, anthropologists, certified medical specialists, heavy equipment operators, operations planners and logistics coordinators. Additional helpful skills are explosive ordnance disposal, carpentry, chainsaw operators, drone operators, and linguists and local labor recruiters.

The average duration of a Department of Defense commissioned recovery operation is 30-45 days. The timeframe can be greater or less based on results, location, weather, local cultural predispositions, and labor availability. The average work week is 5 ½-6 days.

No, you do not need to be in perfect physical shape but should be able to perform arduous tasks such as digging, lifting, hauling, hiking, cutting, and standing for long periods in numerous climate conditions. A doctor's medical clearance is required including food and insect allergies, active medical conditions, and current prescriptions.

Participations for the entire duration is preferred to foster your field skills and greater team compatibility, both of which contribute to a more consistent mission rhythm and chances for success. We understand that some volunteers can only participate part time. Depending on mission requirements and funding, available time on site can be adjusted.

There are multiple restrictions due to sensitivities of surviving family members and Department of Defense regulations. Customarily, the distribution of pictures, videos and social media postings of a recovery site, to include post-mission, are prohibited until expressly authorized by the Department of Defence.

At TERRA Search Promise, your health and Safety is paramount. Given the nature of working together in the field, sometimes at close quarters, all participating members must be fully vaccinated in accordance with current host nation requirements, guidelines and advisories.
In addition, all requirements for international travel will apply.

We have put together commonly asked q’s to provide more information about TSP and its Mission Profile.