Most people think veterans only carry stories about war, but for LBCC students Xavier Philip and Jovan Villetoro, the military became something much bigger. It helped them figure out who they were, how to grow and find some of their closest friends.
Phillip explained that during his eight years in the Marine Corps, he traveled from California to Hawaii and even was deployed to the Philippines.
“A lot of the things I learned through the Marine Corps helped me throughout my life,” he said.
Although Phillip experienced difficult deployments, he believes the Marine Corps taught him lessons that could never be learned in a classroom.
“It helped me see people from different perspectives of the world,” he said.
When his military career ended, Phillip did not allow himself to stop growing or moving forward. Instead, he returned home to California and began studying electrical engineering.
Phillip explained that his military job as a radio frequency manager inspired his new career path.
“It kind of lines up with being an electrical engineer in the civilian world,” he said.
One of the most meaningful parts of his story was how he used his military benefits to continue building his future after service.
“The VA will pay for your schooling and help you get into your field,” he said.
LBCC’s Veterans Services offers many benefits for men and women students who are actively serving in the military and also for veterans.
Rachele Ross, a worker in Veterans Services at LBCC, gave a look into the program and the support it offers.
“We have veterans here ranging in age from 21 to 73, so the transition from military life to civilian life is different for everyone but our services are meant to help,” Ross said.
When asked whether he would recommend joining the military, Phillip answered honestly instead of pretending everything was perfect.
“If you want to learn life lessons and become your own person, the Marine Corps will surely teach you that,” Phillip said.
Jovan Villetoro shared a similar story about how military service completely changed the direction of his life. “The military gave me structure,” he said.
Villetoro admitted that before joining the Navy, he was not heading down the best path after high school.
“It kept me from destroying any possible future I had for myself,” he said.
While serving during conflicts in the Middle East, Villetoro experienced moments that tested his courage and responsibility. One of his proudest memories was saving a diver suffering from decompression sickness.
“I got to pull him out of the water and get him on medevac,” Villetoro explained, remembering the moment he helped save someone’s life.
His story showed how military service can prepare people to act under pressure and protect others.
Villetoro also wants younger people to understand that the military offers opportunities far beyond combat.
“The amount of benefits and resources you have from it are absolutely priceless,” he said.
As both veterans reflected on their experiences, a common message became clear.
The military did not just train them to serve their country, but also taught them discipline, responsibility and purpose.
Their stories prove that sometimes the hardest experiences in life can shape people into stronger versions of themselves.
