J.M. Phelps brought the story to light in September 2023, highlighting the unthinkable challenges faced by Nathaniel Cruz, a 23-year-old ex-U.S. Army soldier who experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) following his deployment in Afghanistan.
Cruz, who worked as a combat medic, encountered significant difficulties during his deployment, including a distressing event involving the gruesome death of a young Afghan boy. After returning home, Cruz struggled with nightmares and insomnia, leading to disciplinary actions from his command, which did not support his mental health needs.
Instead of receiving help, the soldier was punished for behaviors linked to his PTSD and the side effects of medication he was prescribed. With the support of the Uniformed Services Justice & Advocacy Group (USJAG), Cruz (shown right, USJAG photo) eventually secured a medical retirement from the Army in May 2023. Tragically, on February 17, 2025, Cruz took his own life.
American Family News spoke to Nic Gray, the Chief Executive Officer of USJAG, who is currently working on a documentary dedicated to the story of Cruz and aims to inspire change within a broken system. The film is titled The Nathaniel Effect: One Soldier’s Sacrifice Could Restore Honor to America’s Warriors.
“For family and friends,” Gray says, “the tragic loss of Nathaniel J. Cruz has evolved into a commitment to safeguard the next generation of America’s service members from a betrayal that should never occur in a country that prides itself on honoring its heroes.”
Cruz “responded to the call of duty, expecting competence, honesty, and care” when the unseen scars of war emerged. “Each promise made was shattered, and every request for assistance was ignored,” Gray shared. “In Nathaniel’s most desperate moments, he was forsaken by the very institution he held dear.”
Gray admits he would be excited to be associated with films such as Sound of Freedom, The Chosen, and The Tuttle Twins, as he hopes that Angel Studios will be the platform where the film finally finds its home. He explained, “Angel Studios is a company located in Utah that operates on a ‘guild’ model, allowing viewers to decide which content gets created.”
Given that the American Family Association’s The Stand commended Sound of Freedom as a “gripping film,” Gray acknowledges that the audience at American Family News recognizes the importance of a call to action aimed at revealing injustice and fostering change. He likens this call to Proverbs 31:8 (NIV), which states, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.”
“I think American Family News readers and Angel Studios Guild members are uniquely positioned to help bring Nathaniel Cruz’s story to fruition,” Gray shares. “I think there’s something inside of us that lives for moments like this, when audiences of faith can champion stories that matter and help bring important films across the finish line.”
“If anyone is interested,” Gray says, “they can take part in the Torch voting at Angel Studios and contribute to pushing Nathaniel’s story across the finish line.”
In the end, the CEO of USJAG hopes the film will lead to the creation of the Nathaniel J. Cruz Act, which would “require independent third-party oversight for military discharges, putting an end to the Department of War’s unchecked authority to police its own decisions.”
