Ramblings from Jason: From Learning Disabled to Lieutenant Colonel

A Soldier's Journey Against All Odds

I did not grow up in a military family. In fact, my family actively discouraged military service, believing it was a path for those who were "less than the best." My father had served in the Navy, but he never spoke about his time in uniform. To him, military service was merely a stepping stone—an avenue to secure a college degree through the GI Bill, nothing more. There was no pride in his service, no stories of camaraderie or sacrifice, just a transactional approach to a chapter of his life he had already closed.

Yet, by the standards of those around me, I was "less than the best." I struggled with learning disabilities, physical challenges, and a future that, to most, seemed riddled with limitations. While others aimed for traditional career paths, the military began to look like an option—perhaps my only one. At a young age, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant to wear the uniform, but I understood that the military didn’t care where you came from. It only cared about what you could become.

When I finally made the decision to enlist, it was not out of some deep-rooted sense of patriotism or family legacy—it was about survival. It was about proving that I was more than the limitations others saw in me. What started as a necessity soon transformed into something greater. The structure, discipline, and challenges that had once seemed daunting became the very things that forged me into the person I needed to be. Each obstacle I faced in the military became another brick in the foundation of my resilience.

I learned quickly that military service wasn’t just about following orders—it was about leadership, adaptability, and finding strength in adversity. I encountered men and women who had also been labeled as "less than best" in their past lives, only to rise above their circumstances and redefine their worth. These were the people who became my brothers and sisters, who taught me that value isn’t determined by where you start, but by how far you push yourself.

What began as a last resort became a career, and that career became a calling. I served for 31 years, rising through the ranks to retire as a senior leader in the Army. The very institution my family had dismissed became the proving ground where I built my identity, shattered expectations, and created a legacy far beyond what anyone—including myself—had imagined.

Jason Pike

Veteran, Bestselling Author & Inspiring Speaker

jasonpike.org