Navy Veteran Bryan Jacobs learned many of his kitchen skills growing up cooking alongside his grandfather, a former chef in World War II. They spent most of their summers together and in the mornings over coffee, hot chocolate, and cornflakes, they pondered the most important question of the day, which was what to make for dinner. They were practicing farm-to-table well before it became a modern-day trend.
During high school he took busboy and dishwasher positions. One day the sauté chef didn’t show up for work and Jacobs was asked to step in. The head chef was astonished by his talents and promoted him almost immediately.
Coming from a lineage of military veterans—his grandfather, father, uncles, and brother all served in different capacities—Jacobs’ interest was to go a different route and attend college. His grandfather urged him to enlist for just two years before continuing his formal education. Seven days after high school graduation, his grandfather passed away.
Jacobs excelled and ranked high in the military and was even cited for bravery in combat. The military teaches common sense, staying alive, working as a team, and brotherhood. What it doesn’t teach is how to get by in the real world. Jacobs explained that after serving the country, once veterans are back in the real world they often are unable to find work.
In 2014, Vets-2-Chefs was established as a non-profit. It falls under the umbrella of Vets- 2-Success, which are food and brew-focused programs, Jacobs created to help rehabilitate displaced veterans. The program is designed to inspire, mentor, educate, and acclimate vets who are homeless, giving them a life purpose while creating a positive impact in their local communities. (Credits to Edible Sarasota)
In this episode, Sgt. BeReal and Bryan Jacobs talks about the in-depth overview of a Navy Corpsman and a Marine. They also talked about Bryan's experience before his Service, during the Navy, and after the Navy.
Let's listen to them and know how Jacobs help veterans and at the same time provide service to people as a Chef.
Key Points:
Doesn't want to go to the Military because he wanted to go to college
Grew up with his grandfather who passed away 7 days after his High School Graduation
You can't have emotions in some situations when you are in Military duty
Combat trauma still affects us during our civilian life
Had about 34 different jobs before figuring it out
Became homeless because he was not ready to become a civilian
Failed because he doesn't know who he is
Lost his younger brother to veteran suicide
Connect with Bryan Jacobs:
Bryan Jacobs
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/chefbryanjacobs/
Vets 2 Success
https://www.facebook.com/Vets2success.org/
Website:
Reveille Meals
https://www.reveillemeals.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Reveillemeals/
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/reveillemeals/
Non-Profit Organization:
Vets 2 Chefs
Connect With Sgt. 1st Class (SFC) John Valentine:
Website:
https://veteransbereal.com/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/veteransbereal/
Apple Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/veterans-be-real/id1507792755
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