CHRIS JUDGE: A VETERAN’S JOURNEY
Mike Conklin | Chairman at Sentinels of FreedomWe at Sentinels of Freedom are very proud and honored to have Petty Officer 2nd Class Chris Judge, US Navy SEAL Ret. and graduate of our program, as one of our special guest speakers at our 2018 Annual Sentinels Gala, taking place on the evening of April 14th at the Blackhawk Museum in Danville.
As you may remember from my editorial last month, I briefly introduced you to Chris. However, the amount of perseverance and sense of duty that this exceptional young man holds is so substantial that I feel like you need to know a bit more about him to get a better picture of who he is and just how powerful his speech is sure to be.
GRADUATED SENTINEL CHRIS JUDGE
Petty Officer 2nd Class, US Navy SEAL | Master’s Degree in Homeland Security
Chris, who was compelled to join the Navy after the events of 9/11, was severely wounded by enemy gunfire during a raid from a 2007 deployment in Iraq. While he was in the hospital recovering from his injuries, I had the opportunity to meet and get to know him and his aspirations. I told him about how the SOF program could help him succeed on his post-military journey and encouraged him to apply. While he seemed a bit hesitant at first, we kept talking, and I soon received his application.
After his recovery and with Sentinels of Freedom on his side, Chris felt confident in making the decision to pursue his higher education, being the first in his family to do so. Then, in just three years, he graduated from the University of Illinois with a major in international relations, complete with a double minor in Islamic world studies and political science – an impressive feat. Additionally, since Chris did not have to worry about his rent due to SOF’s help, he was able to save enough money to study abroad in Jordan to get firsthand experience in his field of study, a valuable adventure that provided him with a wealth of knowledge.
Having discovered his love for learning, Chris decided he wanted to further his education by attending graduate school. Committed to continuing to serve our nation, he decided on a major in homeland security and had his heart set on the Naval Postgraduate School. However, the admission process to the Navy’s school was not simple since Chris was retired, but SOF stepped in to make sure he was able to get past the hurdles and achieve his goal of attaining a master’s. I am proud to say he was able to do just that.
Now a husband and father to two young children, Chris works for the US Department of Homeland Security, proudly continuing to help keep our nation safe long after his time in the military has come to an end. Outside of work, he loves spending time with his wife and two young children outdoors boating, fishing, hiking, and swimming.
Truly, Chris exemplifies the many veterans we support and invest in at Sentinels of Freedom who do not give up when times get tough and who, despite no longer being a part of the military, are always ready to serve our nation. There is so much more to the story of Chris and our other Sentinels than what I am able to share on these pages, and there is no better way for you to learn about the inspiring pasts and uplifting futures of these incredible men and women than by attending our gala where you can hear these truths straight from their sources.
I invite you to come be inspired at our 2018 Annual Sentinels Gala, an evening that you will not want to miss. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, please visit www.sentinelsoffreedom.org/gala.
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