Jason Smedley Purple Heart Recipient
A Man of Action Promotes Service to Country and Community
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“To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.” Pearl S. Buck This is who Jason Smedley represents - - a man of service, proudly serving his country as a Marine and proudly serving his community as a civilian through the National Association of Black Men United, an organization he founded while attending the University of Central Arkansas. Originally named Black Men United, the organization focuses on helping young black men successfully work their way through college and impact their communities by providing services. The organization provides tools and resources needed to ensure graduation. Its mission is to increase the graduation rate among black males. For the past eleven years, the organization has served the campus commu-
nity, instilling in young men the importance of giving back and being committed to excellence. As a Marine, Smedley’s dedication to his country and his commitment to excellence have been proven through numerous military decorations, including the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, among others. Smedley enthusiastically spoke about his strong desire to live life to the fullest, serve others, inspire others to create a positive lifestyle and live their lives by example. Monica: You served several years in the military and in the Marines specifically. Was there a defining moment that led you to serve? Jason: Well, I did horrible in college, and I wasn’t focused and neither were my friends. We didn’t have a graduation plan. One by one we dropped out. I had to do something with myself. I knew that God wanted more from me. He expected more from me. One of my friends decided to go into the streets, go into the drug game. I decided to join the Marine Corps. He ended up being killed, and the Marine Corps changed my life after that. Monica: Why did you choose the Marine Corps? Jason: Because I was told the Marines were the hardest, and I felt that I had to prove myself because I had failed in college. I wanted something that I could be proud of, and if I could make it through the hardest military service, I felt like that would give me some focus on my future.
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Monica: You’ve been serving in the Marines for over nine years. So what does it mean to you to serve in the Marine Corps and, of course, serve your country? Jason: For me it’s about leadership, brotherhood and sacrifice for my family and for my country. It gives me a sense of pride. I’ve been given the tools and the skills and the knowledge to carry out a mission. So it serves a special place for me. Monica: How have the Marines shaped your life? Jason: It gave me stability for my family. It’s also given me a stronger sense of brotherhood, and it has given me high expectations for myself, how I carry myself and how I serve as a leader for other Marines. I can’t imagine taking off my uniform. It’s something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I wouldn’t trade it. It gave me the maturity to finally graduate from college and pursue other opportunities out there. I basically went from a college dropout to a U.S. Marine. I was a Howard graduate, worked on Capitol Hill for a few years and served in Iraq twice. Monica: You served two tours in Iraq. What did you learn from both of those experiences as an individual and as a soldier? Jason: When I was in Iraq the first time, we had no bed; we had no tent. We had to dig a hole and sleep in that hole at night. We had no hot meals, we had no shower, and I was pretty miserable. I thought no one had it as hard as the Marines had it. Then I saw a little boy with his family, and they were sleeping. Their house was a tent that couldn’t have been bigger than someone’s living room, and it served as their complete house. That little
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boy had grown up in that tent his entire life. So it taught me to put things into perspective in that what was really difficult to me was everyday life for these individuals. So in that regard, it really gave me a sense of how blessed I am. It also gave me a stronger sense of wanting to help other people. When I saw how difficult other people were living and the needs that they had, it made me want to give more and work harder to help other people. Monica: You recently ended a position as head of diversity in the Marine Corps. What impact does diversity have on the Marine Corps as well as other branches of the military? Jason: First, we have individuals from different cultural backgrounds in the Marine Corps that serve as a reflection of the nation and how diverse the nation is. We can also have an impact on the military as a whole because when you bring together all of those ideas, cultures, traditions and customs that make us unique, you have a better, stronger military that can serve the nation. Monica: From your personal perspective, do you feel that you have truly made a difference by serving in Iraq? Jason: Absolutely. I was in the Civil Affairs Unit and part of what we do is humanitarian efforts. So when we see people in need, we’re the ones who assist them. When there is an area that could be hostile or dangerous, we get the civilians out of that area and out of harm’s way. I felt that we played a part in not only protecting them, but saving a lot of lives and getting them out of conflict and also making sure they had the supplies they needed.
Monica: I would like to congratulate you on all of the awards that you’ve received. Jason: Thank you. Monica: While you were serving in Iraq when you were on the battlefield, and now when you are sharing time with your family, what keeps you grounded? Jason: I have to say my family. No matter what rank I get and no matter what I’ve done, I can sometimes be the butt of the joke when it comes to my family. They keep me humble. You’ve got to have thick skin to be in my family, so just being around them, the connection that we have and the love that we have for each other – I know they’re proud of me, but they make sure I never get a big head. Monica: Based on your experience, what words of wisdom can you offer your fellow soldiers, no matter what branch they are serving in? Jason: I would say that you can’t serve for the money, and you can’t serve for the prestige. You have to serve because you have a true desire to help other people and to be a part of the brotherhood. That is a quality that is a necessity in order to truly be a part of our U.S. military.
opportunities that are available. They should at least get the information and know what opportunities can benefit them and based on those opportunities and information make the best decision. One thing that we stand for in the Marine Corps is that we make Marines, we win wars, and we return quality citizens. Those are the three things that the Marine Corps does, and we take pride in that. Monica: Some people may say for a young person to go into the military today is a crazy thing to do considering everything that’s going on. What would you say to that? Jason: I would say that it’s not such a crazy thing to do. People want to serve. People want to serve in different ways, and the military is a consideration for a lot of people. So I guess I wouldn’t look at it as crazy. They just have a strong desire to serve, and those are the types of individuals that we’re looking for. My hat’s off to those who have volunteered to serve after 9/11 because since 9/11 we’ve been in combat. So for those who volunteer, they know that there’s a chance that they could be in a war
Monica: Would you recommend that young men coming out of high school or college serve in the military, even for a short time? Jason: I do. One thing I understand is that the military is not for everyone. It is challenging, and there are a lot of requirements. Unfortunately, everyone who wants to join is not able to join, but for those who are able to, I definitely encourage them to give it consideration. There are so many January-February 2011 | Exceptional People Magazine | 29
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zone, and they’re willing to take that chance because they want to be a part of the military. So it just is a reflection of the passion that people have for their U.S. military right now. Monica: When you were attending the University of Central Arkansas, you started an organization called Black Men United and, of course, the name has changed since then to the National Association of Black Men United (NABMU). Can you briefly describe what the organization’s purpose is? Jason: The purpose is to help minorities graduate from college. It originally focused on black men graduating from college, and it’s still our mission, but we have opened our program to everyone. Anyone who wants to have vital information to help them graduate from college, we’re receptive and open to them and we reach out to everyone. Monica: What are some specific things that you do to help them graduate? Jason: We have our signature program, the Ten Principles Workshop, and this is a workshop to give students a foundation for graduation. It helps develop a financial plan, a graduation timeline, as well as dealing with different obstacles and issues that college students face on a day-to-day basis.
Also, we provide a book stipend to students throughout the school year to help them cover their financial needs. We have several programs such as a forum where students are able to discuss with the administration and campus police issues that they have on the campus, so that it can have a positive impact on their graduation efforts. Every program that we have, everything that we do has to be responsive to the question, “How does this help students graduate from college?” If it can’t answer that question, we won’t do it. Monica: Is the program mainly for students who are already in college? Jason: Right now it is for students who are in college, but we deliver the workshops to high school seniors and juniors as well to prepare them so that they’re going into college with the right mindset. Monica: How is the organization funded? Jason: Through private donations. All of the board members have outside jobs. One of the board members is a doctor, another one is an entrepreneur, and another is a pastor. What we don’t want to do is pull money from students. We like to push money
down, so we take private donations. Some of the schools pay us a small sum for coming to the school, so all the money that we get goes towards the organization. None of it goes to us, and that’s how we keep costs down. Monica: Since the initial focus of the organization was more so about black men, what are your thoughts about the plight of black men in terms of education, community and family? Jason: I think that with education we’re lacking and it’s mostly because we don’t have a support base. We have the worst graduation rate. If nationally, black men have the lowest graduation rate, then what national support group can they go to that is available to them. I wasn’t able to find one, which is why we created NABMU. I think that the lack of positive black male role models is having a drastic impact as far as family life, especially the father’s role. In order to resolve it, I see it becoming a community effort because I have about 35 mentees I talk to. My phone bill is crazy just from the different young men who need advice, support and guidance. Monica: What advice can you give young black men in terms of inspiring them to become leaders and positive role models, both personally and professionally? Jason: Well, they have to see it. They have to be influenced and impacted by role models. In order to be motivated to become a mentor, you can either be motivated because you had one or because you never had one. I think most people choose to go by the example of, “I had
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one. I see the great impact it has, and therefore, I want to be a mentor.” A lot of young men are bitter because when I mention mentor they’re like, “Hey, no one helped me. I had to do this on my own, so I have little sympathy for someone who needs help.” That becomes another obstacle that has to be overcome. Monica: Did you have any role models? Jason: Absolutely, my mom, my dad, my uncles, my aunt, some teachers. Monica: What do you believe are the key factors to becoming a successful leader? Jason: One, you have to have a sound knowledge base on whatever it is. Two, you have to be able to inspire people. You have to be able to lead by example. You must be able to make a decision, stand by it and admit when you’re wrong. Do what’s in the best interest for the people and not yourself. Monica: What do you believe is your ultimate calling in life?
anyone. What I ask young guys is, “Hey, if something happens to me are you going to be there for my son when he’s in college, when he needs some guidance? Are you going to volunteer time and come out to the school and talk to him? That’s what I’m hoping that you’ll do.”
a surprise. It should be expected. Academic success should be expected.
Monica: What legacy would you like to leave your family? You certainly have set a great example for them, as well as for other young people in your community, by serving in the military and through your organization. Jason: I have a son and daughter. My daughter is nine. I always tell her put God first, family before anything, and land is the most valuable thing you can buy. She is nine years old but I tell her not to get into material things. Never give up land. Land is something that I want us to always be able to pass on. Never be afraid to try something new. Travel and do what comes natural to you. Monica: I also often say that you should never be afraid to fail. Jason: Exactly, but I definitely place high expectations and focus on academic success. It should no longer be
Jason: I have a passion for public service, but I have to say that it’s really where God leads me. This thing with NABMU is something I never planned to become involved with, but it’s definitely keeping me busy. It’s something I never expected to happen. Monica: You’re certainly having a major impact on many young lives. Jason: Yes. I hope to continue and I hope it grows. I hope, more importantly, that someone will do the same because tomorrow is not promised to January-February 2011 | Exceptional People Magazine | 31