What inspired a young boy from Haiti to not only conquer the challenges of immigration but to thrive in academia, athletics, and ultimately serve in the Marine Corps? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Djery Clement, a Marine veteran and Florida Atlantic University alum. Coming from Haiti to the United States at age 11. Discover how his experiences in cross country and wrestling shaped his resilience and led him to enlist in the Marines in 2015. Djery takes us through his roles in artillery, deployments to the Middle East and Japan, and the camaraderie that defined his military service.
Transitioning from military life to higher education presents unique challenges, and Djery’s story offers valuable insights into this journey. He discusses navigating the registration process at Florida Atlantic University and the instrumental role of the Military and Veteran Student Success Center in providing support. Learn about the Veteran Owls Club and how it fosters a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration among student veterans, helping them adjust to civilian life and excel academically. His story underscores the importance of community and the support networks that can make all the difference.
The episode also delves into the broader issues faced by veteran organizations like the American Legion and VFW in engaging younger veterans. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, we explore the delicate balance between leveraging technology and maintaining human connections. Djery's transition into a career in accounting highlights the profound life lessons and the unwavering support from his family, particularly his mother. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the significance of community, and the lifelong journey of growth and self-discovery.
What inspired a young boy from Haiti to not only conquer the challenges of immigration but to thrive in academia, athletics, and ultimately serve in the Marine Corps? Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Djery Clement, a Marine veteran and Florida Atlantic University alum. Coming from Haiti to the United States at age 11. Discover how his experiences in cross country and wrestling shaped his resilience and led him to enlist in the Marines in 2015. Djery takes us through his roles in artillery, deployments to the Middle East and Japan, and the camaraderie that defined his military service.
Transitioning from military life to higher education presents unique challenges, and Djery’s story offers valuable insights into this journey. He discusses navigating the registration process at Florida Atlantic University and the instrumental role of the Military and Veteran Student Success Center in providing support. Learn about the Veteran Owls Club and how it fosters a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration among student veterans, helping them adjust to civilian life and excel academically. His story underscores the importance of community and the support networks that can make all the difference.
The episode also delves into the broader issues faced by veteran organizations like the American Legion and VFW in engaging younger veterans. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, we explore the delicate balance between leveraging technology and maintaining human connections. Djery's transition into a career in accounting highlights the profound life lessons and the unwavering support from his family, particularly his mother. This episode is a powerful testament to resilience, the significance of community, and the lifelong journey of growth and self-discovery.
Welcome to the podcast. I'm Scott McLean. My guest today is DeJerry Clement. Dejerry is a veteran of the Marines. Okay, welcome to the podcast. I'm Scott McLean. My guest today is DeJerry Clement. Dejerry is a Marine veteran. He's alumni at Florida Atlantic University. So what's up, dejerry? How are you doing today?
Speaker 2:I'm doing great. Thank you for having me. How about yourself?
Speaker 1:My pleasure Doing well, buddy Doing well. So give the listeners a little background on yourself.
Speaker 2:Well, I was born in the islands, primarily the Haiti, and I came to the US when I was 11 years old. And I came to the US when I was 11 years old, did my finished my elementary school here, middle school, high school, did a year in college. Then I joined the United States military.
Speaker 1:Were you an athlete in high school. I think we talked about that.
Speaker 2:I was. Well talk on it In high school I was. I did cross country track and field and I did a little bit of wrestling. So after high school you go to college.
Speaker 1:Yes, I did a little bit of wrestling. So after high school you go to college.
Speaker 2:Yes, I did cross country for college and what happened from there? Well, from there and you know, cross country will always have a special place in my heart and I did a full year at FAU. And then, you know, as soon as you're in FAU, you do cross country, you also going to do track right. Not one of the same, but they complement each other. And while I was throughout that first year, I had an idea about joining the United States military, so and I didn't really want to back down on it, and so I did, and so you joined the.
Speaker 2:Marines. Why the Marines? To be honest with you, I joined the Marines just so I could see if I could. I wanted, I thought since you know the idea was only set to join the military in general. Right, but you know you have about five branches you can choose from and I figured, if I'm going to do this, I might as well go big. And, to be honest, that idea was one that was to some others.
Speaker 2:It was a bit crazy because, you know, I could have done any other branch. I could have done many MOS, I could have waited until I finished college in order to go in as an officer, but I was pretty stubborn in terms of that idea. And that's the other thing too. I chose a combat job. I was artillery when I was in the US Marines and I figured that there is no better time for me to join if not now, because I wanted to see what type of person I was under pressure, and part of me was also grateful for the opportunities I got when I came to the US, and a part of me wanted to pay it forward as well.
Speaker 1:What year did you go into the Marines?
Speaker 2:2015. In May, as soon as I was done with the second half of the year, I decided to just go straight over there. And the other thing, too I went in as open contract. I'm sure you know what that was and it was. They said, oh well, you can get your, because I had four jobs lined up. It was either infantry, artillery, tanker or motorcy. And they said, well, all those are closed right now, but you can go in as open contract. And it was a bit risky. But I was like, well, if I want to go, all those are closed right now, but you can go in as open contract. And it was a bit risky. But I was like, well, if I want to go, I need to go right now, as soon as I was done, because I don't want any more time to hinder my decision-making. And so I said sign me up for open contract, which later on I find out that everyone that does open contract in the US Marines will end up being artillery. So it ended up being a pretty funny joke, right? But overall, it's one of those awesome decisions that I will never regret.
Speaker 2:Were you deployed, I was. I was deployed in 2016 and again in 2017. First deployment was in the Middle East and the other was in Japan and, honestly, it was the first deployment. It was a mule in all aspects, right, and you know we did all of our training with the battery I was with, but it was around that time when, you know, a bunch of crazy stuff which was ISIS related were going on over there. So, over there.
Speaker 2:So we ended up going, my unit ended up going to the Middle East to help out, and that was a heck of an experience, because it was also. One thing I would like to say is that it was a humbling moment, because you end up having an experience that you didn't know it was going to ever happen. Right, because if you were to, if my future self were to go back to the past and tell my you know, 13, 14 year old self, hey, you're going to the Middle East as a member of the United States Marine Corps, I would have been like that sounds so awesome and I don't think I believe you. But you know, here I was with friends that I would die, for which, again, I am grateful that we all came back with 10 fingers, 10 toes, and even more so because I was at a ceremony for World War II veterans and you know, compared to what the you know and all unequivocal respect was throughout the greatest generation, what they went through.
Speaker 2:I was even appreciative of the opportunity I even had to join the United States military and that, no matter what you know, afflicted us over there. It honestly it's. I felt very blessed and lucky. And then, you know, the other deployment was a bit, you know, a lot more quote unquote. Safer and I was. I had equal amounts of fun because some of the people I went with they also jumped with me on the second deployment as well.
Speaker 1:What was your most interesting experience when you were over in the desert?
Speaker 2:It would have to be when there were two moments well, three different moments, if I'm able, if I can share that with you. The first one was that it felt I was a part of me, was excited because you felt like you were doing a job that you've been training to do for a majority of your time in the military and, you know, graduating from bootcamp and being a Marine in general, I feel like you're born in you and you felt like you know this is what I was born to do. So that excitement and that thrill, you know it all called me into that one single instance, right. Well, my second most pivotal moment was I was looking up at the stars and in the Middle East and it was beautiful up there and it was.
Speaker 2:You know, it was in a sense symbolic because I was in a country that you know wasn't you know I was there to help and it could be better, but there were a lot of conflict going on over there to help and it could be better, but there were a lot of conflict going on over there. And and I looked up and I thought, wow, you know, no matter what's going on with that country. It's, it's quite beautiful in its aspects, right and, and it was raining and with that same way and water was, I couldn't there was, I could only sleep on the wet floor. There was nowhere else to sleep, right, and a part of it made everything a lot less bitter, not because of the, of the, of the starry night, but it was also because look at the person to the left and right of me that's also sleeping on the wet, muddy floor.
Speaker 2:And you know, wearing this together and I'm here temporarily, you know I'm not, I'm gonna go home after this, to where you're gonna, I'm gonna appreciate a nice. You know running water and you know shower and stuff like that. But those people, they they get to stay here and you know I should do my best to help them out in any way I can. And my other third experience is when you know we, we were getting shot at. So you know, a few of it were. Just you know they missed, thank goodness right. I mean, that's why, that's why I'm here with you.
Speaker 1:I'm glad we can laugh about that, yeah.
Speaker 2:I mean, you had artillery raining overhead and a few of it really made you appreciate things, and for what they are, because life is unpredictable. But we all owe it to ourselves to the best that we can, and we should also strive to make you know a fair amount of time to you know help one another, you know that's what a compassion is and you really get to appreciate the person that's stuck in the uh, the foxhole with you and you know how much you really love that brother. The left and right and it's crazy, no matter, and that's the beauty of it, if I may say, scott cause I know you've experienced it before it's like with the same uniform that we have. You know, no matter the demographic, no matter where we come from, we're all linked by one single objective and that's the love and compassion and misery we share between us, and that we're all going to make sure we both get each other home safely.
Speaker 1:So you finish your four years and you you know you're getting out. I've been through that transition of ah, so uh, what's next?
Speaker 2:oh my gosh right so you get that right now.
Speaker 1:How old are you? So let the audience know how old you are, oh uh I am 27 right now.
Speaker 2:You're just a kid man. Well, you're aging well yourself no, you're just a kid.
Speaker 1:There's a lot of people out there listening saying, saying ah, I wish I was 27 again.
Speaker 2:It comes with some lower back pains. I'll tell you.
Speaker 1:Well, so that comes with what you were doing right for that time. So the transition part of it, the transition part of it. You were how old when you were getting out.
Speaker 2:Oh, man, this is when my, when I got out, I believe I was like 23. Yeah, yeah, your whole. I was like 23.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, your whole life ahead of you, man, and so you're like well what's next?
Speaker 2:What's next it was. It was a giant question mark because it was the end of a saga and the beginning of an unforeseen one. Right, and I had, I already had a plan in mind because, you know, during my of transition, I figured I did, you know, I did my fair share and I, a part of me, was like, oh man, if I choose this job, it may. I mean, I get there and I want it to be closer, to help family a bit. Right, so I figured, you know what, why not? If you know, if I'm ever needed, I'll just don cut my hair, cut the beard and just don the armor right away. Right, and I knew I wanted to go and back to school and I already knew what my major was going to be.
Speaker 2:But I'm gonna do this by myself, quote-unquote. Right, because I used to wake up, you know low, you know low, retrospect, back in the military. You wake up in the barracks. You're gonna go to eat with that person're gonna go train with them. You know you're out there in the rain with them. You go to back to school. And I already know I went to college before, but this was not the same me that went in, you know, and even though the military has a bit as a way of and I've seen it before and I think you can, you may have the military has a way of, for the most most part, amplifying your already better traits of yourself and might exacerbate the worst traits of yourself. Right, and when I got out I figured well, you know, nobody else is going to accounting with you, this one is on your own Right, and you know, and that was where the veterans office come in Cause I did not know how to.
Speaker 2:I knew how to register, but I'm like well, I'm a, I'm a veteran now, so where do I go from here? This is at FAU, this was at FAU. Yeah, I already knew I was going to go there. And I look, I went online, did my research, I found the phone and I called and guess what? The person that you know picked up the phone because I said hey, I want to go back to FU, how do I register for the fall term? He's like, oh, where are you from? I was like, oh, it was in the USMC. He's like, oh, you're a Marine Devil dog. And then, as soon as I, as soon as he said that, I was like yep, that's another devil dog on the line. He's like, yeah, got my keys, got to share my car because you know it was like 3 pm so I can get there before they close. I went there and he helped me with all the paperwork. Turns out he was a gunny that's active duty, trying to get his degree. He was either to be an officer or an officer or something. Either way, all the love to him, right.
Speaker 2:And here's what it felt like. It felt like a little piece of the military that was extrapolated from, you know, my past life right into FAU, right, and you know, and I could, you know I couldn't make friends. You know, I've always had the ability to make friends easily, you know. And, and also, I went back and did cross country again. So that was another thing. And you know, I don't know if you've ever done cross country or seen those cross country cats. I'm not built for cross country. Well, what did you do? If I may ask, was it football or anything? Yeah, yeah, the usual. Well, remind me not to play football with you. I only play games. I have a high chance of winning my friend, but no. So I was part of the veteran owls and you know I had a commander in cross country.
Speaker 1:I'm sorry to interrupt the veteran owls.
Speaker 2:Explain that. Yeah, so it was. You know we have the military and veteran student success center, which is kind of like the professional office where they help you with all the paperwork Right, all the admin stuff. We're here for you on that. But they also work in tandem with the veteran owls, which is a registered organization slash club at FAU. And not only do we help with that stuff but we also introduce fun activities that can be done and any other additional information to make veteran owls. Hey, I know you're a veteran, I know you had a past life before, I know you got your personal life outside of this. But hey, you at FAU, enjoy your time while you have it and that's an advice I always do my best to give out, whether or not you're a veteran. Enjoy your time while you're out there for you. You know there's a whole bunch of things you can get involved into, right.
Speaker 1:So the Owls is a reference to their mascot. Yes, Florida Atlantic University Owls right. And is the Veteran Owls? It's a club, right? Yes, Are they all veterans in there? Is it specifically for veterans or do they let non-veterans kind of come in and learn or just be part? How does that work?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it's not just veterans, it is you either. You know it can be spouses, it can be dependents. Oh, we are welcoming to every everyone at all. It's just, you know, we call it veterans out because you know it was a way for veterans to get involved and stuff like that. But no, everyone is absolutely welcome, especially since there's no need to. A fun activity is something that's meant to be shared, and when I was the vice president of the Veteran Owls, I've always worked in tandem with other clubs and we always had how do I say? Combination events.
Speaker 1:So you networked with other clubs. How do I say combination events? So you networked with other clubs. So let me ask you the veteran population is there a wide age range between them, or is it mostly younger veterans that are in the veteran owls?
Speaker 2:Oh man, you know, surprisingly and you know this is my guess, so do not take this at face value I think that for the most part it's half of it is people that are older than I am Right, and then the other half is dependents. So usually the dependent side are like the younger side, because you know, their parents were all. They either don't go to college or they just pass the benefits on to their heirs. The ones that are veterans, they're usually in like their thirties, you know, 30s, maybe 40s, or they're going in there for their master's or they figured hey, you know, I'm done with this part of my life, let me go in there, cause we've always had, like, you know, little functions and stuff and I've seen and I've looked at, you know, each and every one of them. You know there's are older. So let me get your insight on something. What's up?
Speaker 1:There seems to be a shortage with organizations like American Legion, vfw, veterans of Foreign War and other organizations like that, to recruit this generation. What do you think is missing? What do you think is a way to get the attention of younger veterans? Or is it just a case of they have life going on and being a veteran isn't a priority in their life? They have to start kind of moving forward and getting their careers started. You know what I'm saying? Oh, absolutely. So give me some insight on what you think how they can get their attention. This is like this question trust me, it's the magic bullet, like no one can figure this out. That I've talked to and I belong to the Kiwanis Club. They recruited me because I went to speak as a veteran and they're not a young group. So again, what? What's your insight on that? Or do you think it's just it is what it is?
Speaker 2:It is. So that is that that kind of question is not in order to get the true, um, the true answer from like a veracity of of sources, you're not going to get just one answer and from my personal experience, as not just a member of people that you know I've't, there's kind of a low number is. Well, for one, I believe it's social media, not the lack of social media, but the abundance of it. And you know, because this generation and you know somebody you know, feel free to disagree with me on this there is an oversaturation of information going on, so a lot of it get lost. And two, right, and I know, if I say I'm going to do something, if I'm going to volunteer, that's my word, you know I put, I'm putting my word on the line that I'm going to be there for it. And volunteering and participating in activities is only as potent as the amount of people willing to do it. Right, and I think a lot of the times people get so lost. And you know, and the idiosyncrasies of life you know you wake up, you go to school, you listen to a professor, you go home, you do your homework and that's it. And a lot of times I think that's. You know it might be a bit debilitating to the mind, especially for veterans, because you know it's, they feel a little bit alineated because it's not. This is a whole different chapter and you know you're not going to say, oh, I'm done with class, you want to go to chow with me, right, you don't get that. No, you're done, this is all on you. You gotta go home, and especially if you have kids, right. And then the other portion is you know it's up.
Speaker 2:When I was uh again, when I was in office on the veteran, I was, I was always doing my best to basically just throw all the information I could add them via email. You know, and especially, especially, this is the same advice I gave as an advisor now is you have all the emails. If there's always an event you're planning or there's an activity going on or some information, throw it at them as much as you can. You know, maybe two, three times a week, you know. And then you'll finally be like, oh, you know what, I've seen this email for the third time. I might as well go and see what's up. And then you go and you have such a great time. I remember one time, scott, if I may give you a quick story, absolutely my friend.
Speaker 2:I was at a barbecue that was held up by the Veterans Owls and the FVU Community Center. It was a small little get together at the beach, right, and I've met a veteran that says, oh, this is my first time at this event. I'm a junior. I was like what you know? As soon as I was a freshman I knew about it. But you know, I wasn't flabbergasted in a negative sense, but I was quite surprised, right, because I said you know, the person has a wife and kids and stuff like that. Bring your wife and kids too.
Speaker 2:You know, and I think a lot of times we get so lost and the mundane activities of our lives and we get lost and our phones. I'm sorry, it's a tool, but the tool can be poisoned too. It's a lot of times we we tend to forget that, hey, we, you got to have some human connection in some shape or form. And you know and I don't know if you ever noticed it because if I believe you're in the air force, correct you meet another air force person. All of a sudden you're all e3s once again in the same uniform, just joking and laughing about everything, right, and you know it doesn't. It doesn't take much to have a fun activity and just kicking it back. But I think it's all those three things, the oversaturation, the, you know, the willingness. But also that willingness depends on how much information you're willing to give them in all altruistic aspects, right?
Speaker 1:So so social media, the cell phones, the computer they create a disconnect from maybe wanting to go out and be part of a group. They don't have to go out, they can stay in their house or they can stay in their apartment. Is that kind of what you're saying, do you think?
Speaker 2:that. That's the thing. I think that's one of the major problems, yes, but it's not something that can be easily how should I say mitigated. It's also up to you to figure that out as well. I'll give you a really cool example.
Speaker 2:I think it was my second year in the military and, you know, the lights went out for a few hours and all of a sudden, we, all of us we dropped off for video games and we're just hanging out by the stairwell just sitting and chatting, you know. And as soon as the lights went back on, yeah, they went back to playing video games, but you're not going to believe the amount of fun we were having while we were out there. And I remember one, you know, when I was in my first deployment, we couldn't have any phones whatsoever. Right, that was, you know. You couldn't. You will not believe the amount of conversations we were having. It was blended, it was intoxicating, and I don't think any phones or any selfies or any, you know, social media apps could ever overtake that.
Speaker 2:And I think a lot of times people owe it to themselves to go out and meet others. I think we say that stuff because it sounds like the right thing to say. That's like a superficial saying, but if anything, it's you owe it to yourself to go out there and get some connections and not in the sense of professional, but it's really good for your mind and I don't think you can disagree with that. What's?
Speaker 1:your take. No, I don't disagree. I think, as I've always said, cell phones, social media technology, it's a blessing and it's a curse, and that's the curse side of it. There's a disconnect, there's no accountability, there's no desire to leave your bubble to go meet other people. I just had a conversation with somebody I interviewed earlier today. It was kind of a off the air, funny conversation and it was about that same type of disconnect in dating.
Speaker 1:So people, when I was growing up you had to go out to meet somebody. Now they just, I don't know, I guess it's a swipe left, swipe right, I wouldn't know. I'm glad I wouldn't know that. So that creates the disconnect and I think that grows into every aspect of their life after a while. So now these organizations like the VFW and the American Legion, and maybe even the veteran owls to a certain extent, and other clubs, would have more people involved if they didn't have technology. They didn't have cell phones, the addiction, the addiction that everybody has, and this is me included. I am not shielded from that. There's certain things I want to look at every day, or it's part of my routine, right, it becomes part of my day.
Speaker 1:So what you just said was profound. How your generation. So you were 24 years old and you guys had the best conversations, you had camaraderie, you had it all there. And then the lights came on right. It's like you watch that movie where this group of people get together and they have this one great night together. It's like you watch that movie where this group of people get together and they have this one great night together. It's like this craziness and insane, it's funny, it's emotional, and then the sun comes up and they all go home and it's like they won't get back together again.
Speaker 2:And I think, if I may add to what you were saying and I'm going to actually give a shout out to Mr Argotrade he's putting in some work, man. Yeah, he set up. Well, that's all the more reasons too, because he always helps out, sets up events for veterans, which is you know. That's a million thanks to him. He sent me out an invite for the. He set up the St Patrick's Day parade that was being held in Boca yeah, herd foundation was leading the parade with the horses oh my goodness, that was such a blast man.
Speaker 2:He did a great job with that and you know the beautiful thing about that I was having so much fun I forgot to take pictures oh, but that's hey, you know what?
Speaker 1:that's okay, man, that's okay.
Speaker 2:You got the memories, yeah I got like maybe like two or three pictures and and then when I was done I had 15 emails I missed, but I was like I didn't really miss much. But after a while I really think about it. Why would I watch this stuff on TV, on Instagram, when I can just be part of it? And then you see people waving flags, talking to each other, conversing eating with each other, talking to each other, conversing eating with each other, and you would not believe what you have in common with other people if you don't go out, right, you know. I mean, we're all the same, we're all living the same lives in different households. I think a lot of the times, you know it's different for kids, right, and it's different for the veterans too, because I think for veterans, they just feel like you know there's nobody that's with them. In general, I'm just like, hey, you know, you start reaching out and you know, because it's up to you also, you know, to put yourself out there, you'll find another veteran too and you'll realize how much you have in common, right, and I think it's the same for this younger generation that are not veterans. If you go out and you know, partake in some activity, you'll find out that there are other people like you that just want to have fun and that will bring some positivity into your life.
Speaker 2:And what you see on social media is not always true, and I'm not the first person to say that this is not a revolutionary way of thinking, right, and I always tell you know, I always tell people hey, don't compare, you know, your play-by-play to somebody's highlights, because a lot of the times the thing you see on social media may not be only the positive things or only the negative things. It's a mixture. It's all life is all gray, so and. But how can you find out? It's not going to be through social media. You got to see it with your own two eyes. You owe it to yourself to do that. The curiosity is intrinsic in every human being. You got to own it.
Speaker 1:Do you think the curiosity gets dulled by social media?
Speaker 2:I think social media not only dull curiosity, it twisted it and it also robbed us of our imagination. Right, in terms of well, I remember when this is, I'm a bit of a thrill seeker and I can only watch something so much before I figure out okay, I want to do this. For example, I love skydiving and maybe I watch a YouTube video skydiving. I'm just like man, I'm tired of watching that life. Like my mom and grandma, you know all the love to her. But how can you experience that, how can you test yourself? And if you don't go out there and try, right, with all proper judgment and risk, of course, right, but it's, it's up to you and who knows who you might meet out there. You might meet the love of your life. You're not going to meet the love of your life if you sit on the couch. Meet out there.
Speaker 1:You might meet the love of your life, you're not going to meet the love of your life if you sit on the couch. Well, I didn't meet the love of my life, who I'm married to right now, through technology. I met her at the Barnes and Nobles across the street from FAU.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's right.
Speaker 1:You know that's kind of an old school thing. Well, you know what man You're 27, but you are wise beyond your years. My friend, I got a long ways to go, and you do, and it's going to be a nice ride. We've established a friendship. I look forward to watching you become that CPA.
Speaker 2:Oh, knock on wood, right? Well, tell us a little about that. Where's that going? Okay, Well, I think a lot of times in life. One thing I keep learning that's unequivocal in all aspects is life always goes to show you how much, how very little, you don't know, and you know via the military. I learned so much because you end up traveling. You learn about how people are and I'm at you. I didn't know about this whole equestrian stuff, but I now I'm excited about you know, wanting to try it with the whole cpa thing.
Speaker 2:When I get out normally on my resume, you can't say that you've been running around in the desert for four years, right, that's not. I mean, maybe you can. I don't know what type of job you're gonna get with that, but I always knew one thing I was always good at managing my money and I took my passion of wanting to learn about money and my love for organizing and I figured you know what you know. You put two and two together. Let's try accounting.
Speaker 2:And I did accounting when I was in high school, which I loved it, and as soon as I got out I already had that plan in mind and I did not see myself wanting to learn anything else. And I knocked out that four-year degree because I like to finish things as soon as possible, much to my detriment and much to my benefit. Right, and I knocked it out in two and a half years. And I also met some great friends because I was part of this accounting scholars program, which had people that I consider were smarter than I was in there and we all graduated together, we all in the same class together, which is that's the great thing, Mr Scott. It was that accounting scholars program. It was a program meant to put accounting students with a lot of potential and we go to the same classes together and I wanted, I wanted to was like you know what? This kind of has a cool meaning to it, Just like the military, how we do everything together.
Speaker 1:The camaraderie, the camaraderie, exactly, so, exactly so I figured.
Speaker 2:You know what? Why not? And let me tell you, scott, that was a tough program. I can only imagine my friend it was. It was early, early, early mornings and very late nights. But my goodness, one of the best things ever is that misery loves companies. And I had some, some amazing professors, don't get me wrong, but it's accounting. I mean, if it was easy, everybody would do it right, yeah, yeah. And I had some loved ones that supported me, like my mom, Okay let's talk about your mom.
Speaker 1:Let's talk about your mom because I see the look on your face.
Speaker 2:Well, there's my grandma too, so shout out to her right.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so you had mentioned your mom in our conversation, and what part did she play? I know moms play a big part in every boy's life, every girl's life, everyone's, you know. But you kind of came over with her and it was a struggle.
Speaker 2:Right. Yeah, I mean, the place we come from is not necessarily. It wasn't sunshine and rainbows Right, and I'm sure you know you know a thing or two about struggle.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so yeah, my mom, she is the epitome of of, you know, what a mom should do for her kids. And it wasn't just, it was me and my sister, my sister and I. She's five years older than I am, so she's kind of like my second mom in a sense, but it's, you know, she did not, you know, make it to school. She only made it past sixth grade. But, my word, she is the epitome of if you're not willing to make sacrifices for somebody bringing to this life, then you know, you most likely don't deserve to be a parent. And she was always my biggest supporter and you know, and that was the thing, she was one of the first people I mean there's a second mom I have that I ended up meeting later on. She's my mom in every aspect. She's in Utah, that's a story for another time. Yeah, but she, yeah. So my biological mom.
Speaker 2:When she found out I was joining, when I told her I was doing the military as a mom, of course you're apprehensive and you know, technically, as a, as the son of an immigrant, you're kind of like pretty much almost the first to do a lot of things right, but she believed in me because I was her son. She didn't know what it was about, she didn't know what I was going to get myself into, you know, you know, you know the stigma and everything like that. But she believed that I could do it, you know, and I didn't do it for her, I did it for myself because I didn't have dates in my life, right, and I have to be held accountable for what I do here. And she was a bit apprehensive and saddened by the fact. But she had such faith and belief.
Speaker 2:It is magnanimous. I mean, when it comes to faith, that lady is exemplary and I love her with all my heart. And no matterous, I mean she's. When it comes to faith, that lady is exemplary and I love her with all my heart and no matter what decision I take, she even when I graduated with my bachelor's and my master's. I can tell in her eyes that you know a part of me. You know, scott, I might be crazier and I was very proud with those accomplishments, but I think she's more proud of it than I could ever be oh, she is right, she absolutely is I mean, if she was here, you know, maybe one day you'll get to meet her, right?
Speaker 2:but, um, yeah, that lady is she. She's awesome. I think in some aspects she's stronger than I am, yeah, and I think in some aspect, if she had the same opportunities I had, she'd probably get a lot further than I could she. She got her citizenship Beautiful, and I think and you know now I'm going off tangent because it's my mom, right, that's fine Talking to her like she's my kid, but she's at one point, when she was studying for her citizenship, I will tell you with certainty and I hate giving out certainties, but I will tell you with that certainty that she knew more about the US history, more than your average high school kid, because I used to help her study, probably more than most Americans, unfortunately.
Speaker 1:You can say it, I'll say it that can is not entirely.
Speaker 2:You know it's a bit bitter in truth, but it's not wrong right and I used to help her study because the citizenship had 100 questions in it right. She got 99 out of 100 beautiful and in there right, and part of me always thinks, like my word, that is quite something right and for a woman that only had a sixth grade education yeah, and but to be honest, her, her, that, that natural intellect that she has, it's it pales in comparisons to her natural.
Speaker 2:I mean no, her, what she finished is pales in comparison to her actual intellect, you know.
Speaker 1:Yeah Well, I'm going to tell you, without doubt, that your mom is the strongest person you've ever met in your life. That's a fact.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah.
Speaker 1:That's a fact and there's a lot of moms that are like that, that they, they just step up. Oh, absolutely, you know, and they and they sacrifice and they do more, and you'll never know, they'll never tell you the struggle that they had mentally, physically, emotionally. They'll never tell you oh absolutely, you know and you don't need to know. We don't need to know, you know. So with that, my friend, thank you for your time. This conversation started as a veteran's podcast.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But it went in a beautiful direction. I have no problem with this. I think it was very interesting. I think your insight and your perspective is spot on. I think you're very in tune, you're very self-aware and you have a bright future ahead of you, my friend.
Speaker 2:Oh, I hope so. I have a lot of great people in my life as well, like my second mom, my second dad, my grandma, who is you know. All my love goes to her my grandma, who's you know.
Speaker 1:All my love goes to her. Um, she's a she's a wickedly smart lady. Grandmothers are a whole nother conversation my friend.
Speaker 2:I call her gangsta grandma, but yeah, ggs to her right they're a whole nother conversation, grandma, but you know it's up to us to go out and venture and meet people that can, that can, that can be willing to amplify their lives. And you know, because human beings are built for connection, we're wired to it. You can prove that religiously, psychologically, scientifically, whatever. But a part of me is happy and grateful of the fact that I was always move forward toward what I thought was right for my own ambition and discipline and meet equal people. That, and if I met bad people, I'll learn from from in some shape or form.
Speaker 1:Right, absolutely yeah, but you just have to be willing to listen you have to be willing to listen.
Speaker 2:You know I'm. It's a work and effort, that's it. It's always a constant. It's not easy. Yeah, it's a constant work and effort, but, uh, you gotta let it ruminate and think about it. And because life, life is not always going to be your friend, I say you know it will. You know it's not when you you have cards and you get to you have to play them how you see fit right. You just have to be willing to be upfront about accepting the responsibility for actions.
Speaker 1:There you go. Well, that was, uh, that is that. Well, that is, that's to Jerry Clement. I'm going to call him a kid. To me he's 27.
Speaker 2:I don't think I'm going to be turned down at the bar.
Speaker 1:No, no, I'm just going to say a kid who is, like I said, wise beyond his years, some would probably call you an old soul. Again, I look forward to watching your progress. Thank you for your service as a Marine, and once a Marine, always a Marine. I always seem to be interviewing Marines lately. Really, I don't know why. Oh my gosh, marines like I can't find an Air Force person. You can't find an Air Force person. Well, it's not that easy for some reason. Oh my gosh, I think Marines might have more interesting stories. I'm going to edit that out.
Speaker 2:Because if another Air Force person hears that, oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:Oh, I don't care, then have them step up.
Speaker 2:It sounds like you took the wrong branch. You should have been one of us.
Speaker 1:Well, so quick story with that. Let me hear it. When I went through Law Enforcement Academy, it was with Marines. It was at Lack air force base. So marines came to lackland and there was two, two or three air force instructors and two marine instructors, two gunny sergeants. So we trained with the marines, the classes, the pt, and I would not let them win like at the pt. They, they, always tried out a runner and I was not a runner back then, but I stayed up with them and I did everything they did. I was like that's just not going to happen, right, I got to represent. So when the time came for graduation, one of the Marines that I became friendly with came out to me and he gave me his anchor and globe.
Speaker 2:No way.
Speaker 1:Off his cap, yeah. And he said you should have been a Marine. I said you should have been a Marine. I said, well, I should have been a lot of things, but I'm going to be a canine handler, so that was the way to go. And I actually had one of those gunny sergeants put my badge on not an Air Force instructor, no, I had a Marine instructor put that on. Yeah, so I've always kind of had this intertwining with Marines. Well, I had a Marine instructor put that on, yeah, so I've always kind of had this intertwining with Marines.
Speaker 2:Well, I'm happy you did, because, well, and look at it, maybe you may have had a different weather, good or bad experience if you didn't go, but let's be happy for what we have now.
Speaker 1:Absolutely, Absolutely. So let me do this outro. So well, that was the Jerry Clement Marine veteran and future CPA. I want to thank you for listening. If you like it, share it. If you're interested in maybe wanting to come on the podcast, you can email me at vetsconnectpodcast at gmailcom. If you're a nonprofit that thinks that they might want to get an episode, email me at vetsconnectpodcast at gmailcom. We built another bridge today. This was a very interesting bridge, great conversation and, as I always say, you'll hear me on Monday.