Joseph Simon

Joseph Simon, a native of Dallas, Pennsylvania, recalls his path to military service and how it shaped his life. Born into a family of six children, Joseph’s decision to join the Army was motivated by financial necessity. Originally set to play Division III football in college, he quickly realized that the financial burden on his parents, combined with his uncertainty about pursuing football, made joining the military a more viable option. Despite his father’s initial disapproval, Joseph enlisted in the U.S. Army to take advantage of the GI Bill and help alleviate the financial strain on his family.

During his three years in the Army, Joseph served as an environmental health specialist, primarily stationed at Fort Bragg after completing basic training at Fort Bliss and advanced individual training (AIT) at Fort Sam. Though he never saw combat, he was briefly attached to the 5th Special Forces Group for temporary duties. His time in the military was during the relatively peaceful Reagan era, with no major deployments. After his enlistment, Joseph fulfilled a promise to his father by leaving the service to attend college, using his GI Bill benefits to study environmental science. Although he initially planned to rejoin the military as an officer, life took a different turn when he got married, and his wife expressed no interest in military life.

Joseph’s post-military career began with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, where he worked first as a correctional officer and later as a counselor. He retired from the department in 2006, seeking a change after years of working in the prison system. Transitioning into a new field, Joseph was recruited by a veteran-owned fire and water damage contracting firm. His background in counseling and his experience as a hostage negotiator made him well-suited to manage traumatic events for clients who had suffered fire damage. After eight years, he shifted to the insurance industry, where he now works as a supervisor for a catastrophe team handling disaster-related claims, particularly in Texas and Louisiana.

Joseph moved to Florida nine years ago after the passing of his brother, also a veteran, and now lives in the Palm Harbor area. He reflects on how his military service taught him independence, financial responsibility, and resilience. Despite the challenges, Joseph never relied on his parents for financial help after joining the Army, a testament to the discipline and self-sufficiency he gained. Today, Joseph continues to work while enjoying time with his family, including his son in Wisconsin and his newborn grandchild. The military, he says, not only gave him a career but also instilled values of discipline, self-pride, and character that have guided him throughout his life.