My Calling to Join the Navy
I am Jacob, and I’ve been a musician all my life. I am also a three-time Iraq veteran. Following September 11, 2001, I felt a calling to join the Navy. I took my first step into the Navy on January 10, 2002, the eve of my 24th birthday.
From Training to Deployment
After completing A-school in Great Lakes, IL, I headed to El Paso, Texas, to pursue further training at stinger operator school. From there, I was assigned to my first command at Navy Special Boat Squadron 2 aboard the USS Tornado (PC-14) in Little Creek, Virginia. A year later, our command was transferred to the Second and Fifth Fleets, where I spent two deployments supporting Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom operations.
The Third Deployment
During my third deployment, I volunteered to transfer to the USS Nashville (LPD-13) and played a crucial role in the rescue of US citizens amidst the Lebanon/Israel conflict. We evacuated over 2700 US citizens from Lebanon to Cyprus. Following that mission, I relocated to sunny Buffalo, New York, for my shore duty assignment. Upon leaving government service, I fulfilled a promise to my father by returning to school to earn my college degree. Semper Fi!
A Devastating Diagnosis
In 2014, I received the devastating diagnosis of a brain tumor, specifically an oligodendroglioma. During the biopsy procedure, a blood vessel was accidentally nicked, leading to a brain bleed and, ultimately, a stroke. This left me without sensation or motor skills on the right side of my body. However, I've overcome these challenges after years of perseverance and determination. I'm proud to say that I've reclaimed my ability to shoot, leveraging my Navy shooting qualifications to assist fellow shooters.
Certifications
Navy Duties
Sea Duty
Shore Duty
Training Officer
Anti-terrorism Officer
Security Officer
SAMI
AA&E Accountability Officer
Assistant Contract Technical Representative
Information Security Officer
Personnel Liaison Representative
GTCC Agency Program Coordinator
Assistant UPC
Let’s Connect
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule your training session. I look forward to hearing from you and helping you on your journey to enhanced self-defense skills.