An Interview With Candice Georgiadis
Work hard: In sports, we often make practice hard so the games are easy. You want to train so your technique or passion becomes second nature. Leaders value hard work. Sometimes hard work means studying so you can work smarter.
As a part of our series about “dreamers who ignored the naysayers and did what others said was impossible”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Major Javon Starnes.
Major Javon Starnes didn’t have an easy childhood, witnessing domestic violence in his home, being raised in poverty, and bouncing between shelters. Now as a leader in the U.S. Army, Maj. Starnes chooses to use his past as a part of his story, reminding himself of how far he has come as a person, and proving that, despite your upbringing and with determination, you can make something of yourself.
Maj. Starnes’ upbringing also taught him the importance of community. He now uses this mindset in his role as a Public Affairs Officer in the U.S. Army, looking to help fellow Soldiers as well as support decision-making that will continue to have a positive impact on communities all around the world.
He is also featured among fellow Soldiers in the Army’s latest “Decide to Lead” campaign that spotlights Officers, a specialized path of service for aspiring leaders.
Thank you so much for joining us! Our readers would love to ‘get to know you’ a bit better. Can you tell us your ‘backstory’?
I grew up rough. I was born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, but moved to Wilmington, Delaware at an early age. My brother and I were raised by our single parent mother who was literally running for her life. We were homeless and had to live in domestic violence shelters — bouncing from one to the next. The shelters are sometimes hidden in plain sight. Whenever I ride by them, I’m reminded of how far I’ve come, and I thank God. However hurtful, it is part of my story. I have memories of my mother’s abuser jumping through our second-floor window and shattering glass to get back in the house. I also remember my family being kicked out of a shelter with nowhere to sleep and left in a motel parking lot.
It’s difficult for me to watch certain movies like “The Pursuit of Happyness.” The scene when Will Smith is holding his son while sleeping in a subway bathroom hits very close to home.
My mother was also on dialysis three days a week. I was forced to grow up faster than my friends and family. I rode public transportation to pay bills because my mother was too sick to physically pay them herself. As a teenager, I played the role of nurse for my mother; I memorized all her medications and doses and knew her doctors. One night an access tube on her arm burst while bathing and she would have bled out had I not grabbed a belt to help her make a tourniquet.
I remember when I was 15 years old, I was notified that I lost my biological father. Then two days after my 18th birthday, my mother passed away. This was about a month into starting college at East Carolina University.
I had a decision to make. I chose to persevere through it all and make something of myself as an Army Officer. Now, I have a family of my own. I’m married with three beautiful children.
Are you working on any new or exciting projects now? How do you think that will help people?
Currently, I’m working with Dr. Donnalyn Pompper, a public relations professor at the University of Oregon, to share my perspective on research methods as an Army Public Affairs Army Officer. In the upcoming textbook, “Discovering Answers, Chapter 5: Exploring the Journey: Basics for Research Projects” will explain how Public Affairs Officers conduct research to amplify storytelling, analyze the information environment, and address safety concerns.
I was also selected to be part of “Decide to Lead,” which is the Army’s new marketing campaign that focuses specifically on Officership, a specialized path of service for aspiring leaders. My life story has been about grit and determination. I mean, look at me; I’m an African American male, an orphan, was homeless at one point, raised in poverty, and witnessed domestic violence in my home. Now, I’m one of the faces many will see on commercials, websites, and posters representing diversity as a successful Army officer. I’ve overcome a lot and now can help others. I wouldn’t be in the position I am now had I not decided to lead.
How do you think that will help people?
Educating students on the similarities between corporate America and the Army allows them to dream of opportunities they may not have previously considered. When talented individuals match their education with a desire to serve others, it can lead to a promising career as an Army officer. The Army Officership career path empowers them to make decisions that affect communities around the world.
In your opinion, what do you think makes your company or organization stand out from the crowd?
I’m also working with my new unit, the 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC), located in Daegu, South Korea to amplify Soldier stories. “Every Soldier Counts” is our motto. This motto accounts for every Soldier, family member, civilian, Korean national, contractor, and Korean Augmentee to the United States Army (KATUSA). My job allows me to amplify their vibrant and diverse stories for greater audiences through storytelling, videos, podcasts, or written articles on the Army’s official website.
Brigadier General Frederick Crist, 19th ESC Commanding General, has complete trust in my team’s ability to amplify the unit’s voice, engage with the local community, and provide creative direction for strategic communication objectives. Having a boss who trusts his team is key to success.
Ok, thank you for that. I’d like to jump to the main focus of this interview. Has there ever been a time that someone told you something was impossible, but you did it anyway? Can you share the story with us? What was your idea? What was the reaction of the naysayers? And how did you overcome that?
In high school, I did not know if I had what it took to further my education in college. My grades were good and I was athletic, but I didn’t know if I was “good enough”. During my senior year of high school at John T. Hoggard, I started receiving letters from schools that were interested in me. These were private schools that I had never heard of. Also at this time, my mother and I visited a local community college to get information about attending. During the visit, an academic advisor heard my mother and me talking about private school interests. The advisor took it upon herself to inform my mother and me of the difficulties of being accepted into a private school and her views on whether I would get an offer. She was very negative, to the point that my mother and I ended the visit short. The advisor’s doubt lit a fuse in me.
I left and told myself that I was not going to settle for a community college. I was going to face my fears and apply to larger universities and strive to better myself. From that moment forward, I would check the mailbox and have at least two different universities each week trying to recruit me to attend their school.
I ended my senior year of high school with multiple acceptance letters from major universities, scholarship offers, and at least two acceptance letters from private schools.
In the end, how were all the naysayers proven wrong?
I did not let someone else’s doubts about me negatively affect my life’s choices or define me.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
I’m a man of faith so I owe everything to my heavenly father. My wife, Nelle, has also been my support structure every step of the way. At my lowest of lows, this beautiful and caring woman has been there to pick me up, both emotionally and spiritually. I’ve seen it all from death threats to lies to racism. Her support has held me together.
I’ve also had a few Army mentors who have opened my eyes to see what true leaders are like. Retired Colonel Renee Mann is a genuine person that has shown true humility. Colonel Jin Pak is someone that I know will help me with anything I may go through.
It must not have been easy to ignore all the naysayers. Did you have any experiences growing up that have contributed to building your resiliency? Can you share the story with us?
Grit and determination taught me resiliency at a young age. Having to duck from bullets while playing outside with friends was a harsh reality for my family. Sometimes we had to sit on the floor — lower than the windows while watching television to avoid possible stray bullets. I was gifted in sports and invited to the lacrosse All-Star game but could not go because we did not own a car. We walked everywhere. At times, I had to ensure we had at least $10 to ride back home in a taxi after grocery shopping with my mother. This sometimes meant putting a few things back while at the register. A child should not have to go through these things. These experiences taught me how to survive on little to nothing. I learned how to work hard, put forth the effort, create my own opportunities, and most importantly, have faith and believe in myself.
I was not going to be a product of my environment. I was going to change my environment by uplifting those around me. I was not only going to be a survivor, but also a success story.
I’ve also been given the opportunity to develop my resiliency during my Army experience. I trust myself, and most importantly, others trust me to lead in any environment.
Based on your experience, can you share 5 strategies that people can use to harness the sense of tenacity and do what naysayers think is impossible? (Please share a story or an example for each)
Work hard: In sports, we often make practice hard so the games are easy. You want to train so your technique or passion becomes second nature. Leaders value hard work. Sometimes hard work means studying so you can work smarter.
Create your own opportunities: Just because the path isn’t there doesn’t mean you can’t create it. A path means someone else has been down that road before. Why not be the first?
Have faith: Know your true calling, know who to call on for help, and rely on your faith in Christ.
Believe in yourself: Visualize it when no one else can. See yourself accomplishing the goals you set for yourself.
Create a support system: Get with like-minded people, support each other, then dream BIG.
What is your favorite quote or personal philosophy that relates to the concept of resilience?
My favorite comes from Philippians, Chapter 4 verse 13. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I have constantly stood on this bible scripture my entire life.
You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good for the greatest number of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would love for people to have financial freedom. They could achieve this through various means, including real estate. My wife and I are some of the first in our family to purchase and own a home with the help of an Army VA loan. I want our kids to have something of their own when they become adults. Once we no longer need to focus on accumulating money for the things we need, we can focus on our passions and doing those things which make us happy.
A passion of mine is photography. My photography business brings me peace. I’m able to create timeless, creative, and fun art for families.
Can our readers follow you on social media?
Readers can visit GoArmy.com to learn more about life in the U.S. Army and you can find me on Instagram @_Vonphotography.
Thank you for these great stories. We wish you only continued success!
US Army Major Javon Starnes: “They Told Me It Was Impossible And I Did It Anyway” was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.