Jon

Jon went from being a rodeo cowboy to spending 16 years in the Marine Corps as a Data Systems Engineering Officer, including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. His time in uniform wasn’t just about technology and operations—it was about people. From the good and bad of combat deployments to teaching young Marines at an entry-level MOS school, Jon learned how to lead, how to listen, and how to help others push through adversity.

Leaving the military wasn’t easy. Jon’s transition was rough, and the hardest part wasn’t the paperwork or the job hunt—it was waking up without a sense of purpose that felt as meaningful as serving. He hit some low places mentally and has seen up close what untreated mental health struggles can do to a person and a family. Friends, family members, and fellow veterans have turned to drugs, alcohol, and in some heartbreaking cases, taken their own lives when it all felt like too much.

Jon originally launched The Bunkhouse to share veterans’ journeys into IT and cybersecurity, with mental health as a side conversation. But stepping away from the show for a while made something very clear: the mental health conversations aren’t optional—they’re essential. Maybe now more than ever. That’s why, with the relaunch, The Bunkhouse is fully focused on veteran mental health and real, unpolished conversations about life after service.

At the core of who he is, Jon is rooted in his growing faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his family, and community engagement. He believes having a tribe—people who show up for each other—is one of the strongest weapons against darkness. When he’s not behind the mic or at work, you might find him enjoying a good cup of coffee, a well-chosen bourbon, or spending time with the people he loves.

Through The Bunkhouse, Jon promises not to sugar-coat the hard stuff. He’s committed to having the conversations most people avoid, working to strip away the stigma around mental health, and reminding every listener of one simple truth:

You are not the only one fighting this battle—and you don’t have to fight it alone.

His hope is that with every episode, you walk away with something practical, something honest, and something worth sharing with someone who might need it.