My Why: Johnathan Lawson

John was born and raised in San Antonio and the surrounding area spending most summers with family in the hill country town of Fredericksburg Texas. During high school difficulties at home led to John dropping out his sophomore year electing to work full time and leave home. A few short years later John decided that his chosen path was not working for him and reignited a desire to serve in the US Marine Corps. To enlist he would need at least a GED. He worked and received his GED only to be told that the USMC was currently only accepting recruits with high school diplomas. GEDs were not being accepted at that time. However the Army would allow him to enlist. His grandfather was career Army and this seemed more than acceptable. However there was a feeling of settling, and so John with the aid of his best friend re enrolled in high school through a self-paced alternative education program with only 6 months until his 20th birthday when he would no longer be allowed to remain in the public education system. He completed 2.5 years of education and earned his high school diploma with 3 weeks to spare. Two months later and with both a GED and diploma he shipped out to MCRD San Diego on path to be a US Marine.

He is fond of saying that he had the most non-illustrious career in the Marine Corps since Gomer Pyle. That he trained a lot, wore a uniform and did some work. He shipped out for boot with an open contract and was initially designated 0311 Infantry, however the Marine Corps in its infinite wisdom, deemed it necessary that during SOI John should be pulled from ITBN on week 3 and sent to MCT with the intention of entering training for Aviation Ordnance. Disappointed, but accepting (reluctantly) John entered training and advanced training in aviation ordnance (IYAOYAS) specifically fixed wing craft. However an injury during training would see him confined to bed, reassigned, and eventually separated from the Corps.

When John returned home in 2007 he struggled, drifted, and eventually found his way to higher education and seeking a degree in teaching. That pursuit would lead him to seeking a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and then a Master’s in Counseling. Through the time spent trying to put down the military career he had worked so hard to pursue, he realized that ultimately he wanted to continue to provide help and support for the Marines that he was forced to leave. Helping and being a service was always the goal, and while the landscape had changed, the mission was the same. And so he pursued degrees and licenses and experience that he could use to help his brothers and sisters that had also chosen to serve. To that end John has found his way to Warriors Heart and works to learn more ways to offer aid and be of service to those of the warrior community.

My Why: 

To continue to serve those who serve. Watching so many struggle with so much, wanting to help and being powerless. This is my way to do for myself by doing for them.