From combat to class
Jacob Yohn
Issue date: 2/24/10 Section: Life
Every day veterans come home to families and loved ones wondering what the next step will be in the life they put on pause for the greater good. Some go back to the conflict, some find work, and some try to pick up where they left off.
With the experiences they have encountered though, that may change the direction of their life, shedding light on new paths.
So what are we doing at home to help them get back on track?
Jamea Gouker served in the Army for 8 and a half years working in Psychological Operations all over the world. She is married, has two children, is going on 50, and she is a first year student at Mount St. Mary's.
"Before I joined the Army, I was attending community college in hopes of pursuing a degree in Aeronautical Engineering," said Gouker, "but I decided to join because I knew I would regret not trying."
After finishing basic training at the top of her class, Gouker went on to take part in operations such as the audio-harassment of the Noriega compound in Panama and the dropping of propaganda pamphlets in Iraq.
"There was not a day that I was not on the battle roster," Gouker said, "except for when I was pregnant with my son. It did not matter whether it was a peacekeeping task or conflict related; I was there."
In 2003 Gouker rotated back to the United States to train those going overseas for their first time, and training them to come back.
Two years later, after her tour of duty and the training of those to ship out, Gouker received her discharge and was back into the civilian way of life.
However, even though you took the woman out the Army, it took a little while for the Army to come out of the woman.
"I had to keep my edge while I trained soldiers," said Gouker, "it kept me sharp and helped me help them. Once I got out, it took some effort to leave that behind; no more add this or add that, there was no need for it anymore."
For the next four years, Gouker was content to be home and spend time with her supportive family; appreciating the freedoms and liberties she witnessed the absence of in many of the countries she visited.
With the experiences they have encountered though, that may change the direction of their life, shedding light on new paths.
So what are we doing at home to help them get back on track?
Jamea Gouker served in the Army for 8 and a half years working in Psychological Operations all over the world. She is married, has two children, is going on 50, and she is a first year student at Mount St. Mary's.
"Before I joined the Army, I was attending community college in hopes of pursuing a degree in Aeronautical Engineering," said Gouker, "but I decided to join because I knew I would regret not trying."
After finishing basic training at the top of her class, Gouker went on to take part in operations such as the audio-harassment of the Noriega compound in Panama and the dropping of propaganda pamphlets in Iraq.
"There was not a day that I was not on the battle roster," Gouker said, "except for when I was pregnant with my son. It did not matter whether it was a peacekeeping task or conflict related; I was there."
In 2003 Gouker rotated back to the United States to train those going overseas for their first time, and training them to come back.
Two years later, after her tour of duty and the training of those to ship out, Gouker received her discharge and was back into the civilian way of life.
However, even though you took the woman out the Army, it took a little while for the Army to come out of the woman.
"I had to keep my edge while I trained soldiers," said Gouker, "it kept me sharp and helped me help them. Once I got out, it took some effort to leave that behind; no more add this or add that, there was no need for it anymore."
For the next four years, Gouker was content to be home and spend time with her supportive family; appreciating the freedoms and liberties she witnessed the absence of in many of the countries she visited.
Be the first to comment on this story