In recognition of Veterans Day, the Clarion spoke with two of Sinclair Community College’s own veterans about their perspectives on serving and their experiences in the military.
Dr. Marc Smith, a Biology professor, enlisted in the Air Force after quitting high school. During the time that he served, he was able to earn his GED, associate of Science, a bachelor’s degree in Science, pre-med studies and a master’s degree in Organizational Administration.
He served from 1972 until 1992. Afterward, he began teaching at Sinclair and earned a master’s degree in Biology, as well as a Ph.D.
He said he was able to graduate debt-free with the assistance of the GI bill, as well as purchase a house with no money down with veterans benefits.
Nick Anderson, a Communication major, enlisted in the Army Reserves in 2000.
He said at first he wanted to become a helicopter pilot, but decided to become a truck driver for a fuel-hauling company instead.
He was deployed in 2003 to Kuwait, where he was passed around from battalion to battalion, until he was moved to Iraq.
There, he dealt with improvised explosives and hauled jet fuel, until he worked in security instead.
He was discharged in 2005 and later suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.
“You have to have a hard heart sometimes over there, and PTSD is like that hard heart breaking,” Anderson said. “Your heart just hurts all the time and you worry about what you’ve done and what other people have done and are going through.”
Smith said basic training was challenging. However, both veterans said after completing it they were in the best shape of their lives.
“Basic breaks you down, sure. You’re uncomfortable, because the feathered nest that you left at home is now unruffled and it’s uncomfortable—it’s bare bones,” Smith said. “You’ve got to challenge your body and your mind to become a team.”
Smith said it’s an honor to wear a uniform that not many people have the opportunity to experience.
“You’ve got to become altruistic. Can people trust you in a clutch? You are going from an individual to a team, a member of the fighting force—but you learn about yourself, you learn what you’re made of,” Smith said. “I can’t quit, I’ve bonded with this group of men and women and you realize that you’re responsible for protecting the country and you buck up, you change, you’re mature, and then you’re accepted. You become proud to get that uniform and wear it.”
Anderson advises that anyone considering enlisting should think about life after the military.
“Look at life after the military and prepare for that before you go in because it’s not going to be an easy transition out,” he said.
Anderson said he wishes to see more veterans engaged politically and in their communities.
“So many decisions are being made by people without any sort of military background and … I think people who have been there might bring another perspective that’s missing currently,” Anderson said. “I think having more veterans engaged politically will help out with veteran unemployment and other benefits, people who have had to go through the system and know what it’s like should have some sort of say in how things go.”
Smith feels that veterans don’t get enough recognition and encourages readers to appreciate them.
“I would just say to everyone to thank their parents, brothers, sisters, neighbors, uncles, aunts—whoever served,” Smith said. “I would thank them; thank them for something that you may or may not do, and realize that this country is vulnerable to enemies, foreign and domestic. And that we must be vigilant in order to preserve the freedoms that we cherish [and] take for granted.”