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SSG Jacob Larson: From Navy to Army
From rocky seas to Rock of the Marne, Staff Sgt. Jacob Larson gave up his sea legs for more steady footing in the Army.
In the turbulence of military life, Larson finds a way to remain even-keeled. He describes himself as a pretty laid-back, easy-going guy who just goes with the flow. At 30 years old the Californian has already spent 11 years serving his country.
The Navy signed Larson’s checks for the first 10 years of his service. He earned those checks by working with ordnance for five years, then as a military policeman.
“Being in the Navy I was able to go all over the world,” Larson said. “I’ve been to Australia eight or nine times, Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Canada; that’s why I stayed in the Navy. We got to go everywhere.”
Though he enjoyed traveling in the Navy, Larson felt it was time for a change. He said he got out of the Navy one day, joined the Army the next. He came to the Army looking to do something different. He had a good 10 years in the Navy, but wanted to see what the Army had to offer so he utilized the blue to green program that acts as a portal for Sailors to become Soldiers. Now he works for the 3rd Infantry Division analyzing information that comes from the battlefield.
Larson said, “I came over to the Army because I just wanted to do something different. I wanted to set myself up for when I retire. That’s the main reason I took this job I have now; the security clearance. There are just so many job opportunities when I get out. Plus, with this job, I don’t have to go outside the wire. I’m cool with that 100 percent.”
Danger like what can be found ‘outside the wire’ is not something foreign to Larson.
“I’ve done my time you know. I’ve been on deployments, built bombs, loaded planes, worked on the flight deck; that’s the equivalent of going outside the wire here. I’m just trying to relax, and do the rest of my time. I might go warrant. I just found out about some officer candidate school stuff today. I might put in my packet and do that,” he said.
Long-term goals are what weigh in on Larson’s decision to stay in the military. Though he could take a job elsewhere, he chooses to stay because he knows what he can expect after another 9 years of service.
“Here’s the way I look at it,” he said, “I can take the retirement. The retirement may only be a house payment, but that’s a house payment I don’t have to worry about. You got your medical, your dental; you got all those securities you don’t have to worry about. Whereas if I got out I would have to wait until I’m 60 before I can start collecting retirement. If I stick with this I’ll start collecting at 39.”
Larson said he would encourage anyone, including his three children, to join the military. He’s ready to talk to his kids already.
“If they ask about it I’ll tell them about my experiences and tell them it’s a good thing,” he said. “I think everyone should do a couple years at least.”
Getting college experience and making the most out of the military are things Larson said he would really try to impress upon his kids. Those were things he did not do when he first came in the military he said.
People’s experiences in the military vary; some good, some not-so-good. Larson said, “For me, personally, I just love it. I love it all. I’m going to do 20 years for sure.”
