Jacob Anthony grew up in Arkansas and made his initial career playing minor league baseball. After the events of 9/11 took place, Jacob felt as though he needed to do something more. He didn’t feel like he was giving anything back by playing baseball; he wanted to do something that would put him in the fight. So, in 2002, Jacob decided to join the Army.
Basic training took Jacob to Fort Benning, GA, before he was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Jacob continued to train as a Green Beret in the 3rd Special Forces Group and eventually earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. During his service, Jacob sustained Post-Traumatic Stress, a Traumatic Brain Injury, and serious injuries to his knees and shoulders. He stayed in the fight until he was honorably discharged in 2013.
The biggest adjustment that Jacob faced while transitioning back to civilian life – aside from his consistent aches and pains – was getting used to the civilian mentality. The expectations were completely different from what he experienced in the military. Jacob decided to make a new career as a firefighter, and it’s been his career ever since. To this day, Jacob still struggles with anger issues, migraines, depression, and aches and pains in his knees and shoulders. However, Jacob receives never-ending love, support, and patience from his wife, Jennifer, and their young son. For Jacob, being a husband and father has been the most rewarding aspect of civilian life.
Oklahoma is the state that Jacob now calls home. He enjoys hunting, fishing, sports, and participating in various outdoor activities with his family. He and Jennifer fostered then adopted twin babies last year, who are now two-years-old, and are in dire need of additional space in their house to accommodate their growing family. Purple Heart Homes will be adding more rooms to their single-bedroom home, and building additional storage space as well. When asked what these renovations mean to their family, Jacob says humbly, “Giving everyone in my family their own space is not something I would’ve been able to do on my own. This is a true blessing – an answer to our prayers.”
Thank you so much, Jacob, for not only serving our country as a soldier, but as a firefighter as well. We welcome you, Jennifer, and all of your children to our Purple Heart Homes family!
