In comparison to his 18-year-old peers at basic military training, Airman 1st Class Benjamin Smith was old enough to be their father. And he isn’t alone.
Roughly 12% of the force is made up of service members aged 36 to 40, according to the Department of Defense. Smith was 36 when he enlisted, nearly a decade older than the average enlisted member. But his background in mixed martial arts and family legacy of service revealed commonalities that defied the age differences.
Smith initially met with an Air Force recruiter in Wilmington, North Carolina, because he was “searching for and wanted more out of life for himself,” he says.
“I was working three different jobs: zamboning at an ice rink, delivering pies for a pizza place, and running day-to-day operations of a horse farm,” Smith said.
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He “also wanted to continue the family tradition of service to this nation.” Smith’s father was in the Navy, his grandfather and great-grandfather were both Army. The family’s military service dated back to the American Revolution.
Smith said he was also drawn to the opportunity to travel the world and gain personal development but admits he needed to wait until the right point in his life to make the commitment.
“I had considered serving in the military years prior but felt I needed to mature and gain confidence within myself by building resilience through life experiences.”
Part of that confidence stems from years of experience with Brazilian jiu jitsu, a sport he’s practiced for nearly nine years. Whether it be wearing denim jackets, rocking Dale Earnhardt style glasses, or showing off his “Macho Man” Randy Savage tattoo, one look at Smith and you can tell he is a man with character who is not afraid to be himself.
He said while he was growing up, he began exploring what he wanted to do with his life and that led him to “an interest in martial arts that dates back to my childhood, when I saw ‘The Karate Kid’ and ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.’”
As a teenager his interest when he stumbled on UFC DVDs and seeing the legendary Royce Gracie showcasing BJJ moves like joint locks and choke holds.
Smith still competes today, currently achieving the rank of a purple belt. Though he has also succeeded in finding the travel and adventure he was seeking from the Air Force. He is stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.
He said he feels “like I’m living my ‘Karate Kid Part II’ moment” while being surrounded by a country with such an interesting and storied history, including martial arts. He has been acclimating to the Japanese culture and even found a new BJJ gym to train at under black belt Flavio Da Silva.
For anyone contemplating making the commitment to serve, Smith’s advice is to go for it.
“Do it now. Face the fear. It is not easy, but it is extremely rewarding. With enough determination, persistence and sheer will, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
