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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.
