Will Jenkins was among the 181,000 Americans who answered the call to serve their country after witnessing the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

“I was 20 years old and had just started my first semester in college back home in southeast Texas,” Jenkins said. “After the attacks, I felt a sense of patriotism and being called to serve. I signed up three weeks later.”

Jenkins enlisted in the Army and served overseas in Kuwait, Central and South America and three tours in Iraq. A decorated career intelligence officer stationed at Fort Bragg, Jenkins served 20 years and retired earlier this year but not before reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer Two.

Recently, Jenkins decided to resume his pursuit of a college degree, enrolling at UNC Pembroke this fall to major in nursing.

“I joined the military out of a sense of serving my nation,” he said. “After serving in the military, I had the same sense of service and that is what drew me to want to serve my local community as a registered nurse.”

After being away from the classroom for two decades, Jenkins—like many other military-affiliated students—takes advantage of the resources offered through the Office of Academic and Military Outreach.

“The staff there is very knowledgeable,” he said. “They provide step-by-step how students can request their benefits, and they will refer you to resources that the VA offers.”

Jenkins was among students, faculty and staff who participated in several events on campus this week in honor of our nation’s veterans, which included an inaugural honor wreath-laying ceremony, Toys for Tots campaign kickoff and a panel discussion of the Warrior Tradition documentary.