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U.S. Air Force veteran Jason Von Holmes reflects on 14 years abroad in Japan, Portugal, and South Korea, discussing military life, fatherhood, and Black men’s travel narratives.
Podcast discussion points:
Introduction: New Orleans, Military Life, and Travel
His tweet about Black men and travel—and the false narratives he sees within Black men’s travel circles.
His 14 years abroad: three years in Japan, a year and a half in the Azores, and nine and a half years in South Korea.
Growing up in New Orleans and why he decided to join the military.
His advice on choosing a career path in the military.
The benefits he sees in military service for Black men.
Quality of life in the Air Force and what daily military life looks like.
Japan: Adjusting to Life Abroad
How the military prepares service members for life overseas.
Military-base culture and its influence on the overseas experience.
Dating within the military and the complications those relationships can bring.
Dating Japanese women and navigating cross-cultural relationships.
His reflections on three years in Japan.
The Azores, Portugal: Reflections on Europe
His experience living in the Azores.
His broader reflections on Europe.
His experience with racism in Germany.
South Korea: Marriage, Fatherhood, and Community
Why he enjoys living in South Korea.
How military-base communities can provide support abroad.
His marriage to a Korean woman and his experience raising a child overseas.
The educational choices he has made for his child.
Why he believes Black men abroad need to build their own communities.
Working Abroad and Evaluating Travel Narratives
His business and work as an independent contractor.
The military skills he has carried into civilian work.
His perspective on pursuing government-contracting opportunities and working overseas without joining the military.
The red flags he looks for in content from Black travel creators.
