Reflections from My Live Stream with SSG Wilkins
By Justin H. Tucker | JustINSPIRE Mentoring
Last night, I went live with my brother, SSG Wilkins, and we had a real conversation—not filtered, not rehearsed—just truth. The topic? The military as a foundational move for young men.
Let me be clear: this isn’t about glorifying war or pushing anyone into a box. It’s about survival, strategy, and structure. It’s about setting a baseline in a society that offers very little to young Black men unless you come in with connections or capital.
The Hard Truth: You’re On Your Own Out Here
Look around, brother. Where are the safety nets for young men?
- You see women’s shelters, but where are the men’s shelters?
- You see grants and business funds for women and other groups, but where is the money earmarked for minority men?
- Try walking into a bank asking for a loan to start a business with no assets and no backing. It’s crickets.
The system isn’t built for us. And that’s not an excuse — that’s a wake-up call. If you want to make it, you’ve got to take control of your path.
Why I Recommend the Military (Even If Only for 3 Years)
When you’re young, you have energy, time, and resilience. But if you don’t use it wisely, you’ll be 35, alone, broke, and angry.
The U.S. Military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force) is one of the few systems that:
- Pays you from day one
- Trains you for free
- Gives you housing and health care
- Builds your credit and work history
- Offers job placement and business resources afterward
It’s not perfect, but it’s a hell of a lot better than gambling with jobs that don’t care about you and college debt that can ruin your future.
My Personal Regret: Not Going Active Duty Sooner
I joined the Army National Guard. I thought staying close to my family and building my career in education was the better move. I love education. I love my family. But if I’m honest? I should have gone active.
I should have taken that time to focus on me, stack my benefits, and return home stronger, more stable, and equipped to serve others. Instead, I learned the hard way: you can’t pour into others from an empty cup.
You don’t need to sign up for 20 years. But a 3–4 year contract? That can change your life. If you’re college-bound, do ROTC. Get paid to graduate and walk out with a managerial role and military credentials.
Civilian Life Doesn’t Have Standards
In the civilian world, it’s anybody’s game. I’ve seen people with zero experience jump into leadership because of who they know. And I’ve seen experts overlooked because they didn’t play the game.
But in the military, you show up, you get trained, you get paid. You earn rank. It’s not perfect, but there’s structure and merit that often doesn’t exist outside.
If You Want to Be Successful, Be Selfish First
Here’s a hard truth I had to learn: trying to build a life while carrying everyone else will leave you overextended, burnt out, and resentful.
In your 20s, be selfish. Focus on YOU. That way, when you’re 30, you can truly support others from overflow, not depletion.
The military isn’t your only option, but it’s a solid one. It’s structure. It’s benefits. It’s a network. It’s a reset button.
Final Word
We are meant to live in abundance. But abundance requires structure, sacrifice, and strategy. The military gave me a piece of that, and I want to pass that wisdom to you.
Don’t wait until life forces you to be disciplined. Choose discipline while you’re young, and your future self will thank you.
🎖️ Want to talk about this more? Tap into our next livestream or message me at JustINSPIREMentoring.online. Let’s build with purpose.
Need some support Message me at (443) 892-0812 today
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