About

Serving His Country

Jason Cain, a Computer Applications Technology major who entered the Roanoke Valley Campus during the Fall Term, is one of a number of current and former National students who can truly be called American heroes. Jason is a sergeant in the United States Army. He has served two tours in Iraq, is currently serving in a Virginia National Guard unit based in Roanoke, and is in the process of completing paperwork to go back on active duty with a request to be stationed in either Iraq or Afghanistan. Jason told Campus Director Lew Bishop, “My computer applications technology training at National College will help me do a better job with the United States Army.”

After graduation from high school, Jason joined the army four years ago. He entered as a private and earned his current rank three years ago when he was in Ramadi, Iraq. Jason’s army unit was stationed out of Baumholder, Germany. In his first tour, as a member of the 47th Forward Support Battalion, Jason had both quartermaster and ordinance responsibilities. As he puts it, “We did everything from small arms to grenades, mines and 155 mm rounds for big guns. We ran support missions…if the infantry called and needed something we would go out with them, bringing food, water, supplies, whatever they needed.”

In his second tour, Jason was stationed in the hot spot of Ramadi, as a member of a “downed vehicle team.” Jason says, “Any time a plane went down or a vehicle got hit, it was our job to go out and clear the vehicle of anything the enemy could use – munitions, materials, paperwork – and bring it back to camp where they would either scrap it or work on it.”

When Jason finished active duty in February of 2007 he joined the National Guard. He has since married, and is the father of a new baby. If he receives permission to go back to active duty he can request a unit that is deploying overseas. Given his skill and experience, it is likely that he will return to Iraq or perhaps deploy to Afghanistan. Speaking about his desire to return to active duty Jason says, “It’s just the love of the military, having been in it, and how much I miss active duty. I feel I can be more effective to my country and my army and my soldiers if I’m there every day with them. That’s what [is] driving me.” National College is proud to salute Jason, an American patriot.