By Jessica Nester
HOST INTRO [00:09]
The military provides the promise of stability to those who enlist. Our Jessica Nester shares how the industry presents a real-life path to the American Dream.
TRACK 1 [00:21]
This year, more than 55 thousand people enlisted in the army. And while 95 percent of recruits had a high school diploma – only 11 percent attended even one semester of a higher education program.
SH grew up on the Westside of Syracuse in a house with his single dad and extended family. He left college after a year and says the enlistment opportunity came to him.
[DREAM-SAM-McDonald’s] [“…handing him his food.”]
[RUNS =:13]
“I got academically released, I was working at McDonald’s and a recruiter showed up. Handed me his business card as I was handing him his food.”
TRACK 2 [00:11]
SH did six years active duty and 17 in the reserves. The military provides
housing, food, and wages in exchange for hard work. And for some who grew up with very little, this is a tradeoff they are willing to take.
[DREAM-SH-Poverty] [“…week as a truck driver.”]
[RUNS =:16]
“There’s really no way to get out of a hole of poverty. Unless you do something
like what I did, like join the military, or what my dad did and work 70, 80 hours a week as a truck driver.”
TRACK 3 [00:25]
SH suffered a traumatic brain injury during his time in Afghanistan and was involuntarily released from active duty. He was given minimal help from the government when it came to adjusting to life out of the military.
Heffron now works full time as a mail carrier for the Post Office and doesn’t see retirement in his future — even though he’s been working since he was 14. He says he’ll do anything to put food on the table and a smile on the faces of his wife and two kids.
SH is…
- 40 years old
- Male
- White and Indigenous
- Straight
- Working Class
- Catholic