My name is Ben Linkous, and my life has been shaped by service, learning, and the ongoing effort to understand how individuals can contribute meaningfully to the world around them.
Service
Until July of last year, I served in the United States military.
Like many veterans, the transition out of service was not as smooth as I expected. Military life provides a sense of structure and mission that can be difficult to replicate once the uniform comes off. When that chapter ended, I found myself sending out job applications in large numbers and hearing very little back.
The silence was difficult.
It challenged my confidence and forced me to confront a kind of uncertainty that many veterans experience but few speak about openly. Financial pressure made that transition even harder. When you spend years operating in an environment built on teamwork, trust, and shared mission, stepping into the civilian job market can feel strangely isolating.
I remain proud of my service. At the same time, I try to speak about it honestly and without exaggeration. In hindsight, I can't claim that I personally did anything particularly valorous. I fulfilled my responsibilities alongside others who did the same.
But I had the privilege of serving with people who embodied courage and dedication in ways that deserve lasting respect. Standing beside them remains one of the greatest honors of my life.
Their example continues to shape the way I try to live today.
Honoring the Fallen
One responsibility that remains deeply important to me is remembering those who did not come home.
Service does not truly end when the uniform is set aside. In many ways, the deeper responsibility begins afterward: remembering those who gave everything and honoring the lives they lived.
I try, in whatever ways I can, to honor my brothers and sisters who have fallen and to make sure their stories are not forgotten.
That commitment also extends to Gold Star families, whose strength and sacrifice often remain invisible to much of the public. Supporting and recognizing those families is one way we ensure that service and sacrifice are never reduced to statistics.
Life After Service
After leaving the military, I began searching for a new way to contribute.
One path that has become especially meaningful to me is education. I hope eventually to teach military science and cybersecurity at the high school level, helping young people understand leadership, responsibility, and the increasingly important role that technology plays in modern society.
For now, I am working as a long-term substitute teacher in military science. In many ways, it feels like stepping into a familiar environment again — one focused on discipline, leadership, and service.
Alongside teaching, I continue studying information technology and cybersecurity, working toward professional certifications and building the technical knowledge necessary to contribute in that field.
Learning in a Noisy World
We live in a time when information moves faster than understanding.
One conversation that stuck with me came from a military intelligence officer who once offered advice about evaluating news and global events. He explained that the best intelligence often comes from sources people overlook — and that cultivating discernment feels more important than ever in an age where algorithms reward outrage over reflection.
The Good Neighbor Project
In recent years I've also been thinking about what it really means to make a difference in the world. This idea led me to what I call the Good Neighbor Project — really just an idea. The premise is simple: making a difference in the world might start by making a difference on your own street.
Knowing your neighbors. Offering help when someone needs it. Creating small moments of community that remind people they are not alone. In a world that often feels increasingly disconnected, those small acts of attention and kindness can have a surprising impact.
Why "Link"
It's what my brothers I served with that knew me best called me. When I hear it, it takes me back to some of the best and most difficult times.
The name Link also carries a simple meaning. A link connects two points. It bridges distance. It carries information from one place to another.
I hope to connect disciplines that are often separated — technology and ethics, service and education, global events and local responsibility. To link experience with reflection. To link knowledge with responsibility. To link people with ideas that help them see the world a little more clearly.
The Road Ahead
The truth is that I am still in the middle of the journey. Transitioning from military service into a new chapter of life is not a single moment — it's a process. There are setbacks, uncertainty, and unexpected opportunities along the way.
But every step forward is another chance to learn, to serve, and to contribute in new ways.
If there is one thing I have come to believe, it is this: the world does not only change through large movements or grand ambitions. Sometimes it changes because someone chooses to care about their street, their community, and the people around them.
That's the path I'm trying to walk. And if our paths cross along the way — through an idea, a conversation, or a shared attempt to understand the world a little better — you can simply call me Link.