My World of Opportunities Expands

By USMC 1stSgt Jacob Hogan

I am originally from Rensselaer, New York, which is just across the river from the state’s capital, Albany. As soon as I graduated from high school at 17, I left to serve in the United States Marine Corps. I have spent the last 20 years in the Corps, and I currently serve as a senior enlisted advisor at Camp Johnson, North Carolina. The Marine Corps has taken my family and me across the country and beyond.

When looking at the prescribed burn program, I didn’t really think of this as something that I could do. It wasn’t even on my radar, mainly because I did even know it existed. I have always enjoyed working outdoors, but I never thought that someone could make a living out in nature, doing prescribed burns.

It wasn’t until I spoke with Lee that he told me about this tremendous opportunity. It would not only connect me with some others who, like me, had served in the military and with First Responders, but it would also allow me to earn these two certificates.

The certificates, as I learned, can provide trainees with an opportunity to take something that I enjoyed and turn it into a potential career. They would also allow me to continue to serve my community and give me the kind of purpose that has always been important to me. I feel that God has given us this tremendous world, and this is just a small way that I can help maintain it. That really matters to me.

The impact that Lee has created through AHERO goes beyond great memories and experiences. He is dedicated to providing opportunities for Veterans to rekindle that camaraderie that many have been missing since they left service. Bringing comfort or peace of mind to one individual, or preventing the suicide of even one person, I know, makes it worth all the effort of figuring out logistics and meeting all the challenges to make AHERO work.

Pictured just after his last re-enlistment ceremony in 2020 at MCAS New River in Jacksonville, N.C., are the members of Jacob’s family - (l-r) daughter Jillian, son Jamie, Jacob's wife Juliana, Jacob himself, daugther Juliana, and daughter Jaylin.