NC vet navigates challenges of re-entering civilian life, now teaching others as professor.

Ernest Hooker, a man from Greensboro, North Carolina, is using his story to inspire others this Veterans Day. In a recent interview with WXII, Hooker opened up about the challenge of transitioning from military service back to civilian life.

As a veteran who was honorably discharged nearly 20 years ago, Hooker understands the struggle of figuring out what to do with oneself after coming home to North Carolina. He realized that occupying himself with something to focus on was the most important thing to help with the transition.

"I'm living proof of going from combat boots to books," he said. "Those footsteps are your monuments of your life experiences. Whether they're hard or whether they're good. The footsteps that I've been taking, I'm not taking just for myself. I'm taking the footsteps of men and women who continue to serve and the veterans that continue to serve."

Hooker explained that the lack of structure when leaving the military can make it difficult to adjust. He suggested that veterans should look for programs and work that provide the same camaraderie and focused directives. He also encouraged them to work with veteran-focused nonprofits to help others who have gone through similar experiences.

"If they want to go to a vocational school, that's fine. If they want to go back to college, like myself, there are resources out there," he said. "There needs to be more resources for veterans to go into politics, to go into history, to go in whatever capacity. Just giving the veteran an opportunity, you know, opportunity means a lot."

Hooker himself went back to school after his discharge and is now an adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T. He also volunteers for other veterans outside of teaching academic classes. He is looking forward to attending the Greensboro Veterans Day Parade on November 11th, organized by the Disabled American Veterans and North Carolina A&T. The parade will last two hours and will honor active duty military members, WWII veterans, Korean War veterans, and Gold Star families.

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