PROFILE 1: Jordan Myers

In March 2013 I was honorably discharged from active duty Army after almost 9 years of service as an Infantryman. During that time I deployed once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq for a totally of 36 months. I progressed to the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6).

I found myself being extremely anti-social my first year out of the Army. The culture shock of leaving military life and starting civilian life was overwhelming. I really didn’t know anyone in San Diego and I found it extremely difficult to even just be around people and crowds, let alone have a conversation with them. I basically had an identity crisis and fell into a deep depression. I stayed home and drank heavily. It effected my grades and my relationships with others. Even my dog started to become aggressive because he was feeding off my negative energy.

I joined P.O.W. nearly two years ago. I hoped to gain back my physical strength, release that built-up aggression I was holding onto, and honestly, just to get out of the apartment I had been secluded to for so long.

What I found was that I was not alone in my personal struggles. These guys and girls where exactly like me. Through the training I found that brotherhood that I had previously only shared with people I deployed with. I found my strength again, both psychically and mentally. I got my confidence back. I got a better job. I got better grades at school. I was back on my feet.

I’m no saint, and I’m not completely better, but I now know who I am and what I need to do to accomplish my goals. I really don’t want to think about where or who I would be if I didn’t have the P.O.W. program and the individuals within it by my side. They mean the world to me. P.O.W. means the world to me. I would do anything to help my ‘brothers’ and ‘sisters’ and they would do the same for me.

I am currently attending San Diego City College as an undergraduate to complete the prerequisites required for a degree in food science with an emphasis on brewing and malting.