Punk rock led me to the military

Have you ever heard the name Jason Everman? Some of you may have…many probably not. How about Nirvana? Very likely yes…

The story of Everman is a fascinating one: he was a guitarist for Nirvana and Soundgarden who became a US Army Ranger and Green Beret. Beyond his accomplishments, though, it is view on life that is incredibly captivating.

Why was he drawn to punk rock? The loose philosophical doctrine of individuality and the calls to think critically and to think for yourself.

Why the military? External validation vs internal validation - he was he involved in music because others thought it was cool not because it was what he wanted to do. More importantly, the military provided challenge which led to true achievement which led to genuine life satisfaction. Most importantly, the military allowed him to find close, real, concrete, and life-long human bonds that we all hope to form and strengthen through fellowship. Which is what we are trying to do with this project, in many ways.

And why does all this matter now? Well Everman is a student of Benvenuto Cellini who taught that a well-rounded man is an artist, warrior, and philosopher. It is that understanding of life, religion, and philosophy, that well-roundedness we hope to sharpen and refine here.

"Time only strengthens my conviction that it was a good and strenuous life. And for all its destructiveness, the war was an incomparable schooling of the heart.” — Ernst Junger

“Be yourself - who cares what they say. Be yourself - be it right or wring” — Battalion of Saints

You can read his story here or watch it below.