Serving in the military is one of the strongest things someone can do. All of the training, effort, and time that goes into protecting your country shows strength in a person and that’s no different for retired veteran James Oakley Sr.
Oakley served in the Navy for 16 and a half years and ended his time with an e6 first-class petty officer rank. During his years in the Navy, he was a part of The Gulf War, a brutal battle between Iraq and The United States that ended with the states being victorious. Being that Oakley served in the Navy, he didn’t see any of the action during the war, but he still lived the stress of boot camp.
“It was long and hard and mentally testing, you know,” says Oakley, “It was different. I was a little young, and then, being away from family and getting screamed at and yelled at and disciplined, so I would follow orders and do what needed to be done.”
Once boot camp was over, Oakley stepped onto a Navy ship, his first of many. Throughout his time in the Navy, Oakley went on nine, six-month-long
cruises. During these cruises, he traveled to more than 15 countries including Spain, Israel, and Haiti. The cruises made a huge impact on Oakley’s life, showing him what he was leaving behind.
“I had three young sons,” says Oakley. “When they were younger, I spent a half year at a time away from them; it was hard to be away from my wife and kids.”
However, in 1996, Oakley retired from the military and came home to be with his family again. After he retired he realized he needed a job, so he applied to three different companies to be a boiler technician, the same job he did in the Navy, and got hired at all three.
Oakley realized that since he was an ex-military, more employers would hire him. “Employers know that you’re gonna be dependable, you’re gonna show up for work, and you’re gonna do your job,” says Oakley.
Along with employers recognizing the dependability of ex-military, Oakley says that being in the military gave him pride and a sense of accomplishment within himself. “Only about 2 percent of the people in the country serve in the military,” Oakley says. “Being a part of a group of people that serve their country is something to be proud of.”
Oakley describes his time as a Navy S.E.A.L. as one of the proudest things he has done. He says that everyone should take the opportunity to be a part of something greater for their country. “It could be a great future for anybody who wants to be dependable,”says Oakley.
Even though being in the military is one of the toughest things someone could put themselves through, due to the stress, dedication, and commitment they are asked of, it’s also one of the most rewarding things someone does.