Warriors of Camp Southern Ground

JON BUREMAN

Jon is from Austin, TX and joined the U.S. Air Force at 19. He served 20 years. This is his story.

I was born in Austin, Texas, in 1974. In 1979, my father was assigned to Okinawa, Japan, where I began kindergarten. During 3rd grade, he received orders to Loring Air Force Base in Maine. I attended school there from 4th grade through my freshman year before moving once again, this time to Tokyo, Japan. My father was later stationed at Yokota Air Force Base, where I graduated from high school in 1993 and subsequently enlisted in the Air Force. Looking back, if I had to sum it up honestly, my childhood felt like one long culture shock experience.

I entered the United States Air Force in 1993. Enlisting in Japan and taking a 16-hour flight into San Antonio, Texas for someone to yell at me right when I got off the bus.

I was able to reenlist on the Air Force’s 54th anniversary. The reenlistment ceremony on September 17, 2001, held just days after the tragic events of 9/11, carried profound significance. It was a moment to reaffirm commitment and resilience in adversity. The ceremony, marking the Air Force’s 54th anniversary, saw 54 airmen from various ranks gather in the Pentagon auditorium. Secretary of the Air Force Dr. James G. Roche and Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper co-hosted the event, with Gen. Jumper administering the oath and Dr. Roche presenting coins to the reenlistees. This event symbolized unity and dedication during national mourning and uncertainty. It highlighted the unwavering resolve of the armed forces to protect and serve, even in the wake of such a devastating attack. The timing and setting of the ceremony made it a poignant reminder of the sacrifices and responsibilities borne by those in uniform.

I served 20 years and retired in 2013. After retiring, I transitioned into a career as an analyst and deployed to Afghanistan as a contractor. When I returned in 2014, I continued working on the same mission I had served in the military. This path carried on until 2018, when my life took a drastic turn – I was diagnosed with Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP). In this rare blood disorder, clots form in small vessels, leading to serious complications. This diagnosis was a wake-up call, stemming from over twenty years of alcohol abuse and poor choices.

In an attempt to rediscover purpose, I used my G.I. Bill, but I found myself spiraling even further into a hole that I had unknowingly spent years digging. By 2020, I recognized that I had to make a change. I chose to leave behind the chaos and toxicity of my old environment, one filled with lying, cheating, manipulation, and self-destruction. Reaching out to an old school friend from Japan became a pivotal moment. He had faced similar struggles and guilt, and as I shared my feelings with him, he told me he had “goosebumps” from hearing my story. Soon after, I visited him in Seattle, Washington, where I truly experienced nature for the first time. It felt as though nature was reaching out to me, offering a connection I had never felt before. That experience was a calling and marked the beginning of my new journey.

Since that transformative day, I have committed to being my best version. The destructive “alter ego” I once relied on to shield myself from pain, criticism, or the longing to hear words like “I’m proud of you,” no longer has a place in my life. I’ve attended numerous programs, including the PATHH program at Camp Southern Ground, which has equipped me with invaluable tools for growth and resilience. I am grateful daily for the opportunities and second chances I have been given. Through consistent effort and a positive mindset, I have worked diligently to reach where I am today. I’ve earned this transformation, and I wholeheartedly believe I deserve it.

Some positive lessons I keep with me include: