Jason Graaf of Becker retired from the military on June 1, 2023 after serving 30 years in the armed forces. He is married (Kim) and they have two children (Tyler and Ashley).

Graaf, 52, first got involved in the military when he received a three-year Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship while attending SCSU studying Aviation  Management. To gain the scholarship, he was required to put in six years of service in one of the three components — the ROTC, active Army and the Minnesota National Guard. Graaf was fortunate to serve in all three over his 30 year term.

“Service was kind of ingrained in my DNA,” he says.  “My great grandfather was in WWI, my grandfather was in WWII, my dad served in the Army, and my uncles also served.”

Kim, Jason’s wife decided to organize a surprise retirement party last month for her husband where his accomplishments could be acknowledged and recognized. The party was held at Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill in Becker

Though Jason bids farewell to his military career, he will always maintain the friendships and companionship with his fellow service members and their families. As is the case typically in law enforcement and firefighting, the public servants and their spouses and children become an extended family to each other for the rest of their lives.

“The military community is very small with only a very small percentage of Americans serving (I think it is under 2% currently serving and under 8% that have ever served),” Jason said. “With social media, (staying close with friends in the military) is even easier. I’ve been able to stay in touch with people I served with since the mid 90’s.”

The benefit of retiring from the military after he reached his mandatory retirement date in June, is getting the opportunity to spend more time with his family and friends. The downfall?

“I’ll miss the people,’ he said. 

At the time Graaf joined ROTC in college — having no prior military service — the classes he was taking through the ROTC department counted as his basic training. He said he didn’t really feel an “obligation” to serve in the military at first, but that feeling changed as he progressed through the ranks.

“Four years of ROTC and six weeks of advanced camp checked that block,” he said. “At the time of graduating from St. Cloud State, I received my commission as a Transportation Corps Second Lieutenant.”

Graaf served abroad in logistics/operations during Iraqi Freedom War in the mid-2000’s. He was with the 134 Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade, 34th ID. Being in the military is not for everyone, but Graaf  says that if anyone is considering making the choice, don’t do it half-heartedly.

“I didn’t see the things that a lot of my fellow soldiers, marines, airmen, and sailors saw there so I consider myself fortunate.”

And opportunities are waiting for those who choose to take the armed forces path.

“The rewards are great, but like anything, you will only get out of it, what you put into it,” he says.  “There are great college tuition benefits, you have the opportunity to meet all walks of life, travel, and the opportunity to challenge yourself both mentally and physically.”

Graaf grew up in Amboy, Mn and attended Maple River High School in Mapleton. He says he took mainly college prep classes and enjoyed the science classes the most. He is an only child and at the same time he joined the military, he married Kim, who he met at SCSU in Excelsior in the mid-1990’s. Jason has worked for Ferrel Gas as a Region Safety Manager for the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. He has been with them for 25 years.

Kim works for Wreckless Driving Academy of Becker and Fitness Evolution in Zimmerman.

His son Tyler lives in Duluth where he runs his own business called Graafix.  He does graphic design work for different companies as well as maintain and facilitate i-Racing leagues.

Jason’s daughter, Ashley also has started her own business, AG Digital Content, representing different racing series, teams, professional race car drivers, and a national tire distributor’s media and promotions.

What’s been some of the most exciting and rewarding parts of serving in the United States Armed Forces?

“(I’ve gotten) the opportunity to meet and work with other militaries from all over the world and to visit many different countries and all many areas of the United States that some wouldn’t necessarily go to on a vacation,” he said.

Jason also knows that a single member of the military cannot have a successful career alone.

“I would be very arrogant to think that my career was because of what I solely did on my own,” he said.  “The military is a ‘we, not me’ occupation.  Especially in the National Guard or Reserves as a ‘part time’ service member.  If it were not for the support of Kim, the kids, my parents and in-laws, extended family, a supportive employer, and our friends here in Becker helping out when I wasn’t around, our 30 year military career would not have been possible.”