Photo By Staff Sgt. Hector Corea | Sgt. Jonathan Edralin, center, coaches 89th Sustainment Brigade Soldiers during...... read more read more
BELTON, Mo. – The sun had yet to break the horizon when soldiers with the 89th Sustainment Brigade began to assemble on the lawn in front of the training center. It was day two of the 89th SB’s 2014 annual training and the first day of physical training.
A few soldiers who were not required to attend PT came of their own free will to motivate their fellow warriors. One of these soldiers was Sgt. Jonathan Edralin, an ammo specialist with the support operations section of the 89th SB.
“I just wanted to be out there working out,” said Edralin. “Anything I can do to improve.”
Edralin, who is married with two sons, grew up an “Air Force Brat.” He was moved all over the country, following his father’s career, but his childhood held other challenges. An unspecified learning disability made life difficult for him.
“This was the 80s and 90s and they didn’t really have a lot of resources for dealing with [learning disabilities],” he said. “I just had to push myself.”
As a young man, he had learned to be self motivated. He then attended college, but that didn’t last long.
“I believe in experience,” said Edralin, a Los Angeles native. “Schools don’t really teach you anything.”
So in January of 1996, Edralin raised his right hand and took his oath to become a soldier in the United States Army. He spent the next eight years on active duty, until Edralin decided he was ready to return to the civilian sector.
“I was just ready to try something else,” said Edralin.
He began working occasionally for companies in the LA area that provide security for celebrities, and had the opportunity to work in the homes of such well known names as Ozzy Osborne and Kate Hudson.
“Once, I shaved in one of [Hudson’s] bathrooms,” he said with a laugh.
Edralin also had the chance to work several red carpet events, such as the 2005 BET Awards. He was even invited to attend a party for George Lucas and Steven Spielberg.
“It was just such an honor to be there,” Edralin said, humbly. “At one point I was asking myself ‘Wow! What am I actually doing here?’”
Unfortunately, the fun didn’t last long, as networking alone is not enough to stay in the security game. Without a police background, Edralin did not have the certifications to carry a concealed weapon, and therefore was unable to advance any further in his career.
“If you’re not a cop, in California it’s impossible to get a carry permit,” said Edralin.
Then in 2007, he made the decision to return to military service.
“The Army provides job security,” he said, “and it’s what I knew.”
After six more years and two deployments on active duty, Edralin felt he was not where he wanted to be in his career. His separation date with the Army was fast approaching, and a choice had to be made.
“I was ready to start a new life,” said Edralin. “And that’s when I just decided it was time for an actual overhaul.”
The next phase of Edralin’s life was about to begin. With 14 years of active duty already under his belt, and only six more to make it to his goal of retirement, he made the move to the Army Reserve.
“I’m still trying to adjust to being more of a civilian, instead of just military all the time,” he said. “It is kind of difficult, living two lives, but I’m also happy to not still be where I was, and I can just focus on being successful.”
The future holds new challenges for Edralin. He plans on using a new found passion for fitness to carry him beyond his military retirement and into the next stage of his life.
“I just used that [passion for fitness] as my foundation to actually get there, to actually continue to be successful in every way possible,” he said.
Edralin is currently training to be a fitness coach for Beach Body, the company that introduced such workouts as P90X and Insanity, and one day hopes to open his own business as a fitness trainer.
“I just figured I just wanted to do what I love,” he said. “I have goals and aspirations that I don’t want to take to the grave with me. Whatever goal I have, that I’ve set my mind to, I just do it.”
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2014 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 136920 |
| Location: | BELTON, MISSOURI, US |
| Hometown: | LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 179 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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