Since Jeffrey Robinson was 12, he knew that he wanted to join the Marine Corps and serve his country.
Shortly after graduating from Robert S. Rogers High School, the Toledo native turned 18, enlisted in the Marines and left for basic training.
CELEBRATING SUCCESS: UToledo recognizes the Class of 2023 with a series of stories featuring students receiving their degrees at fall commencement.
“This was my life for 10 years,” Robinson said. “From 2008 until 2012, I served as a light armored vehicle crewman and was involved in a wide variety of operations ranging from humanitarian to combat in places such as Haiti and Afghanistan. From 2014 to 2017, I served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman, where I spent a year in Korea near the Demilitarized Zone. Finally, from 2017 to 2020, I worked with a civilian security company to assist and support the U.S. mission in Afghanistan.”
During his time in the military, Robinson said he learned a lot about himself.
“I learned about the deeper meaning of service and sacrifice beyond what people see on TV,” he said. “I learned conflict management skills in my work with the local population when I worked in a security and support role. I also learned to operate effectively for myself and as part of a team under incredibly stressful situations where my life and the lives of my comrades were often at stake.
“In short, this decade of warfighting taught me many things that I will never forget.”
It was when he returned to the civilian world that he increasingly turned his attention to the future: higher education at The University of Toledo through the G.I. Bill.
After graduating from Robert S. Rogers High School, Jeffrey Robinson enlisted in the Marines. He served in the U.S. military for a decade.
Now 33, Robinson graduates from UToledo Saturday, Dec. 16, with a bachelor’s degree in history.
“Growing up, I was always an avid reader and had a profound love of history, revolving mostly around military history,” he said. “As a history major, I have had the opportunity to participate in many interesting classes and have developed a new network of friends in classes and history department clubs.
“I do plan on pursuing a graduate degree, more than likely in Russian, Soviet-era military history at some point. Until then, I plan on working abroad with another private security company known as Gardaworld, this time at the embassy in Baghdad.”
Dr. Barry Jackisch, an associate professor of history in the College of Arts and Letters, has known Robinson since he was a student in one of his classes more than two years ago.
“Since then, he has taken several more of my classes and we have spoken about his path to a B.A. degree many times,” Jackisch said. “I admire both Jeffrey’s service to his country and his commitment to return to college and work hard to attain his degree in history.
“He is an excellent student and clearly represents the values of education and service that are central to UToledo’s identity.”
Robinson’s path – serving in the military for a decade and then enrolling in The University of Toledo – wasn’t the easiest way to earn his degree. But it prepared him for this time as a student, he said.
Jeffrey Robinson, 33, graduates from UToledo Saturday, Dec. 16, with a bachelor’s degree in history.
“In the military, especially in the infantry, you learn how to ‘be comfortable with being uncomfortable,’ ” Robinson said. “Whether it is standing in formation for extended periods of time in the heat or cold, or being out in the field exposed to the elements for days or weeks at a time — adversity is your closest companion. After a while, you get used to it, and in some ways, begin to enjoy it. I applied this mindset to higher education, to become comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
As a Rocket, Robinson was named to the President’s List in spring 2022 and was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta, the historical honor society.
“I was never a good student growing up, nor did I like the school process,” he said. “Five or six years ago, if you had told me that I would be here I would have laughed at you. Needless to say, I have been my own obstacle.
“Higher education is the hardest thing I will ever do,” Robinson added. “That said, I would absolutely recommend the military for anyone who desires to have a new experience or to learn a new skillset. The armed forces have something for everyone, it just depends on what you’re looking for. Either way, you’ll leave with something that will aid you in any future endeavor.”
