The motives of those who engage in military and agricultural livelihoods share an important commonality. They want to serve.

Lee Bunting was "just a farm boy who had never been to California" when arrived at Long Beach Naval Station in 1966.

As a high school student, Richard Siedenburg did not plan to join his dad farming, but that changed after spending time in other countries in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves.

As a veteran, Jerry Costello II recognizes the trait in other veterans that prompted him to enlist in the U.S. Army.

Ron Dykstra knew from a very young age that he wanted to farm.

With his eight-year commitment to the Army National Guard, Chuck Hanley was able to juggle his agriculture careers with his service.

Craig Stevenson, an Air Force veteran from Monon in northern Indiana, learned many skills during his time in the military that have aided him in his most recent job.

Charley Jordan retired from the Army as a Chief Warrant Officer 4 in 2017, after more than 28 years of service.

Dewaine “Dewey” Haag grinned as he recalled barely avoiding being AWOL while stationed at Fort Dix. It was a chance worth taking to move his wife, Marie, who was expecting their first child, to New Jersey.