Jared Green didn’t take the most conventional of routes in ultimately deciding to serve our country.

But, once he set his mind to it, the retired U.S. Army staff sergeant who lives in Lehighton went on to achieve success.

Green’s journey wasn’t typical of many who decide to fight for their country.

A 2005 graduate of Lehighton Area High School, Green opted to attend college and earn a degree.

“I realized I didn’t want to do anything with my degree,” he said. “I came home and said, ‘I’m joining the Army’ and just did.”

Starting off

Green joined the. military on Aug. 18, 2011, and served our country for nine years.

He started off at JFK Special Warfare Center, and went to the first of the 501st of Alaska, then the 315th Infantry Division in Fort Stewart, Georgia.

“Most of my career, I was a scout sniper,” Green said. “My job was to attach to other units and do reconnaissance and do route clearing and provide overwatch.”

Green, whose great grandfather served in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II, said his own decision to join was an eye-opening experience.

“It was more of a shell shock, very intense,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do and went into the recruiter’s office and said ‘I want to be an infantry, want to be airborne, and away I went.”

Green acknowledged he was a bit older when he joined than most, but knew he couldn’t quit.

“You had drill instructors screaming in your face, the humid temperatures of Georgia, you’d be sweating, and you’re rolling around in the sand and it’s all sticking to you,” he said. “It put you in very uncomfortable conditions, showing you have the mental fortitude to do more than you think you can do.”

Green pinpointed his greatest accomplishment was going to sniper school and earning the Snipe tab, for which he said he’s “incredibly proud.”

“It’s a huge washout rate to go to that school,” he said. “I remember when you showed up, they said they were not there to teach you how to shoot; if you would fail the tests on these marks, you were dropped form the school.

“It was a lot of mental stress and a lot of math equations that you had to do quickly and in your head, but it was quite challenging. Once you graduated, you couldn’t believe you were able to do some of the things you were able to do, and you were better for it.”

Journey complete

Green shared advice for any prospective military prospect who may be interested in joining.

“Get comfortable with the uncomfortable, realize that you’re part of something bigger than yourself and the people to your left and right are there to help you,” he said. “You’re part of a team, don’t quit; together you can do anything you put our mind to.”

Green said he would “absolutely” do it all over again.

“I think everybody gets out, they miss it and they don’t miss it; you miss the brotherhood and the sisterhood, you make some of the closest friends you’re ever going to meet,” he said. “You’ve gone through something that only 1% of the population can do; when you build that bond and suddenly it’s gone, you recall all the good times and the bad times.

“You didn’t do it by yourself; you did it with these other individuals and they’re your brothers and sisters. I miss it, but I don’t miss the body sores, and the knee pains.”

For those who decide to join, Green recommended they take it all in.

“Enjoy what’s in front of you; you’re always looking for that next big challenge and it will come, the next snap of the finger, you’re off to your next duty station,” he said. “Live in the moment, enjoy what you have at that time and get after it.”

Green, who has been a full-time officer with the Franklin Township Police Department for the past four years, explained what he believes he gained most from the experience.

“I think it teaches you self-discipline, it gives you a sense of a moral compass, teaches you respect for yourself and your country,” he said. “It just gives you purpose.”