From Small Town Living to Becoming a World Traveler

In 2011, at just 18 years old, Jameson Buelvas ’21, a communications major from Johnson City, Tennessee joined the Army. He chose to enlist after seeing many members of his family serve. He also held a deep desire to get out of his hometown of Johnson City, Tennessee. Similar to many new recruits, Buelvas was seeking a new and exciting lifestyle. He ended up serving for seven years in both active and reserved duty.

Jameson Buelvas ’21
Major: Communications

IMG 2459 scaled e1605551701654 261x300 - From Small Town Living to Becoming a World TravelerBeing enlisted in the military has allowed Buelvas to gain knowledge in a wide range of career fields. He has extensive experience working as a mechanic where he fueled air crafts, worked on utility equipment, repaired cooling systems, and more. Buelvas also has a background of working as a behavioral health specialist. He assisted service members suffering from an array of mental illnesses varying from PTSD and depression to more severe illnesses that typically show up later in life.

Buelvas spent most of his career in Fort Drum, New York, and currently resides in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, his favorite location. He also spent time in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, Fort Lee, Virginia, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and March Air Reserve Base in Riverside County.  Currently, He is continuing his service in LMU’s AFROTC Detachment to commission into the Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant.

IMG 4951 cornelyusblue e1605551750279 620x400 - From Small Town Living to Becoming a World Traveler

Buelvas chose LMU mainly for the opportunity to continue working with the Air Force ROTC. He pinpoints that,

“becoming a global citizen is probably my favorite Student EXP pillar because I chose communication studies as my major to effectively communicate with people from all walks of life and corners of the globe,”

said Buelvas. “Also, with my future career as an officer in the Air Force, I will cross paths with people from around the world on a daily basis which motivates me to be passionate about others.”

LMU is so lucky to have these student veterans. Be sure to check out the Veteran Appreciation Week Virtual Exhibit here or the Veteran Programs page to find out more information.