Jason is from Poughkeepsie, NY, and enlisted in the Navy in 1993. In the Navy, Jason traveled around the world for 24+ years as a Religious Program Specialist. He has deployed to the Persian Gulf, Eastern Africa, Japan, Australia, and Korea to name a few. He lives in Onslow County with his wife and four …

Liz was born and raised in Manchester, CT. She and Perry, an Army Veteran, have been married since 1996, and they have three amazing kids. Liz is currently going to school for Addiction and Recovery Services in hopes of helping others through her own life experiences. She is also the co-founder of Operation: Purpose, a …

Brina grew up in Colorado and joined the Marine Corps in 2008. She served as a C-130 Mechanic, stationed in Cherry Point, NC. Brina has lived in Wilmington for seven years and enjoys spending time with her husband and son. She is pursuing her degree in Graphic Design with plans to graduate in 2025.

Victoria served in the Army, using her passion for art as a 25M, Multimedia Illustrator. Victoria plans to get an Art and Business degree to create safe spaces that cater to special needs kids in either a therapeutic art studio or a sensory center/gym for kids specifically with intellectual and physical disabilities. Her main goal …

Flint spent four years in the Marine Corps as a Machine Gunner. He got out in 2022 and is now pursuing a degree in literature. Levi had an unquestionable look of determination and horror on his face as we suited up in old battle armor. The armor was old and bulky and mine could almost …

Andreah’s MOS was a 92G (Food Specialist) in the US Army. She was assigned to the 101st Airborne and with female engagement while deployed in Kandahar, Afghanistan. She has attended CFCC on and off for years in the Culinary Arts program and recently as a transfer college student. Dreah will continue her education at Johnson …

Lawton is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served at Camp Lejeune, NC, and his Military Occupational Specialty was Combat Videographer (4671). His job offered him a chance to see how the Marine Corps worked as a whole. One day he would film a retirement ceremony, and the next he would film …

Brandon was raised in Mesquite, TX, until moving to Pocatello, ID, at age 16. He enlisted in the Marines where he was attached to HMH-366, a squadron that has since shut down. Brandon is now a fully disabled veteran living in Sneads Ferry and going to school full time at CFCC. He plans to earn …

My name is Joseph N. Abadiotakis, I am originally from Freehold, NJ. In 2010, I enlisted in the United State Marine Corps and began my career as an Infantry Marine. In 2015, I transitioned to Marine Special Operations Command, where I would spend the next seven years. During this time, I was able to start …

Thomas “Lawton” Smith II grew up in Cairo, Georgia. After high school, he focused on outdoor activities like whitewater rafting and conservation trail work. Re then worked for the USDA trying to get rid of a moth using biological control in Florida. While studying at Montana State, he worked on fire and occupancy surveys of …

Izzi Tetterton – U.S. Navy Veteran Family Member I can still feel the horror I felt that night. A nightmare that felt so real, I believed for many years that it really took place. If I close my eyes, I can practically embody my six-year-old self, in one of my first-ever nightmares where I …

Army veteran SPC Andreah Anderson entered the Army right out of high school. She attended basic training at Ft. Jackson, SC, graduated in March 2009, then continued her training AIT at Ft. Lee, VA for her MOS 92G. After she graduated AIT, she received her duty station of Ft. Campbell, Ky, and reported there in …

This story is about the unlikely linking of three service members with completely different backgrounds and service histories who found rapport through similar values and beliefs instilled by their oath to serve their country. Listed below are three separate accounts and opinions from the individuals as they progressed through the Cape Fear Nursing Program. Peter …

Transitioning from the military is a difficult process. I was ready to leave after serving for over four years, deploying to a combat zone, and engaging in combat. Only sometimes is it the way society makes it out to be. Losing people in your platoon or attached elements can often stick with you. Even though …

Marcus is a United States Army veteran who worked as a 88M Motor Transportation Specialist and a 25L Cable Systems Installer. He is from Wilmington, NC, and is currently a CFCC student studying Health and Fitness Exercise Science. Ladies and Gentlemen. Battle Buddies. Trust me. There is more life outside of the Military. I want …

Flint was a machine gunner in the Marines from 2017-2022. He went on two deployments including Norway on his first deployment where the photograph was taken. In addition to Norway, he has been to Ukraine, Sweden, Greece, Afghanistan, and several other countries. Currently, he is working towards a degree in English.

Brian had the honor and privilege of serving and fighting in the World’s Greatest Fighting Force, the Marines. Brian is enrolled in CFCC’s Health & Fitness Science program and plans to become a Clinical Exercise Physiologist. When Brian is not bent over a textbook studying, he is pushing his physical limits with his wife, Becca, …