Writing Inspires Service Careers

Jack Carr shares how his books have unexpectedly inspired young readers to pursue careers in service.

"It's interesting now when I go to book signings - my first book came out in 2018, so now somebody who read that book when they were 15, 16, 17, 18 is now a few years into their time in uniform in the military or law enforcement.

I have people coming up to me saying 'I was inspired to join the military, I was inspired to get into law enforcement because of your books.' I knew that was a possibility but I didn't really dwell on it. The last book tour was the first time where that really started happening.

It happened naturally for me. I didn't get to a certain age and say 'what books should I read?' I was constantly reading as a student of warfare. My most gifted book is called 'Once an Eagle' by Anton Meyer, written in 1968. I would gift this book to people starting their career in the profession of arms. I would write a letter and put it in the front cover setting the tone for why I'm giving them the book. Then I'd include another sealed letter at the back that they could only read after finishing - that was my take on what they just read. I didn't want to pollute their reading experience with my interpretation beforehand."