The latest episode of the Fit to Serve podcast with Tim Wilkins featured retired United States Marine and founder of Veteran Bushido Brotherhood, Jeric Fry. Fry and Wilkins went on a trip down memory lane to reflect on Fry’s years of service, lessons he learned throughout that journey, and how he was able to break through the struggle of transitioning to civilian life to create opportunities and a community for veterans like himself.
A brief recap of the interview would not do the episode justice, so watching the full interview is highly recommended. However, there were five key takeaways that are worth reflecting on because they can help future service members and veterans alike.
BECOMING A MARINE IS A LONG PROCESS THAT INVOLVES CARDIO
Fry went into a recruiter’s office and had plans on flying over and jumping into battle immediately. Turns out, it doesn’t work that way. There’s a lot of education, testing, and preparation that goes into becoming a Marine. Fry’s journey was filled with more preparing to battle than actual engagement in conflict. Fortunately, growing up in a blue-collar family in western Pennsylvania prepared him for that.
Even though he was willing to take the necessary steps, he advised future Marines that you don’t take an oath today and jump on a plane overseas tomorrow. That extra time turned out to serve him well, though, because the time he spent in boot camp helped him get acclimated to the environment and get in better shape.
“I went there a little heavy,” he admitted. “There was running every day and constant movement, constant cardio, but I got used to it.”
Many people think they have an idea of what it would be like to travel across the world to take part in actions that could be life-risking for the sake of defending their country. Fry took his understanding and applied it to everything he did because of the stakes that were involved in his future role as a gunner.
“The only thing I could about was that people’s lives are in my hands.”
Even as much preparation and thought as he put into his training, the realization and seriousness of the situation hit Fry as he and other Marines were on a ship preparing to go
rescue Americans that were in danger. As Fry would say throughout the interview, there are multiple times that he questioned his decisions leading up to that point.
“It was a legitimate war zone. We were sitting there in a beautiful sea, and buildings were disappearing.”
FITNESS CAN BE A FOUNDATION DURING AND AFTER SERVICE
Fry enjoyed his time being deployed because they were working, making a difference, and spending time with fellow Marines. He described it as a simple life.
“We would work, go lift weights, and hang out. Man stuff.”
Fry shared stories about his grandfather to Wilkins as well, including one where at 75 years old, he performed flyes with 75-pound dumbbells. The indirect lesson that he learned from his grandfather that proved true in his own life is that fitness is more than a hobby, it can be an anchor.
“No matter what else fails in my life, (fitness) keeps me centered.”
SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES
Once Fry left service and became a veteran, he tried to find a job but struggled to do so because he lacked a college degree. Like many service members who need to transition back to civilian life, Fry struggled. The structured regimen that comes with becoming a Marine becomes a mindset and way of life. Unfortunately, that doesn’t transfer to the business world as easily.
With no current identity, community, or purpose, Fry acknowledged that he struggled with depression, survivor’s guilt, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and turned to the bottle at one point. He did eventually find a job digging holes for a plumbing company but lost a sense of who he was.
“I was the coolest I was ever going to be at 25 years old,” he said solemnly. Unsatisfied with where he was at this point and recalling he used to be a barber at Quantico, Fry went to a barber shop with his tools one day and kept going back after his plumbing job ended until he finally got a chance to cut someone’s hair. Once he got his opportunity, he never looked back.
“Within six months, I quit the plumbing job and was barbering.”
BEING A PART OF A COMMUNITY CAN BE LIFE CHANGING AND SAVING
It was while he was barbering that he also found jiu-jitsu. Going to train in this discipline led him to being among other veterans that were just trying to get better as well. Fry found his
community, and that was what led him to ultimately create Veteran Bushido Brotherhood. Creating a nonprofit that helps other veterans find their communities and themselves through fitness has served him as much as it has those that needed his services. He confirmed that after a long time of confusion and battling various issues, VBB and training on the mat have given him a purpose.
“I’m here to spread this message, not because I want to or because I have an ego, but because I have to,” he explained. “Because it saves lives.”
There was much more in this podcast than what could be captured here. You can see the full episode of Fry’s interview over at the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel. Make sure you subscribe so you can see more episodes of Fit to Serve as well as other podcasts and shows when they premiere.
