Few of us possess the wisdom to recognize while we are growing up that our childhood experiences are the perfect training ground for a life of success and adventure. For young Joe Hoehn, an upbringing among the rolling hills of southeast Missouri was the perfect spot to prepare him for a successful life of military service.

Joe Hoehn grew up in the rural town of Menfro in Perry County, Missouri. Home to 150 hardworking citizens, it is, in fact, the perfect place to raise versatile, adept, and highly skilled citizens who can take on any number of challenges. Young Joe Hoehn, was no exception and his upbringing, rooted in hard work, would set him up for the successful life he leads today. Like most members of farming families, he possesses a combination of invaluable skills. Hoehn has enormous respect and understanding for the land and the bounty it offers, and ample experience maintaining and repairing a variety of complicated equipment. These skills were obtained during long hours doing farm chores. His responsibilities kept him busy and did not leave him with much leisure time.

While he was familiar with hunting as a youngster, Hoehn did not begin fishing and hunting until he was closer to 14 years old. He is grateful to the family and friends who introduced him to the sport. After his first deer hunt, he was hooked. Since then, he has travelled all over Canada and the US to enjoy pheasant, deer, bear, elk, and turkey hunting. His passion for hunting would, in later years, land him a job as a Team Hunter on “The Break”.

Hoehn graduated from Perryville High School in 2000.  Influenced by a family history of being in the military, he enlisted in the United State Marine Corps in 2000. Hoehn was drawn to the Marine Corps because he felt they were the best of the best. On all accounts, Marines possess a fighting spirit unique to their corps and the training in which they endure makes them ready for any battle.

His basic training sent him to the Marine Corps Recruitment Depot in San Diego, California. He quickly learned that no matter the rank, no matter the role, every position in the Marine Corps is necessary and contributes to the security and success of the United States. Powered by his work ethic and well versed in a number of engine diagnostic and repair skills, he obtained the position of Shop Chief.  Hoehn was attached to an artillery unit Bravo 1/11. Without the ability to deftly move munitions, no one is victorious in battle. This perspective took his skills to a whole new vista.

His view on life continued to develop as he began traveling the world. His first stop after Camp Pendleton was Darwin, Australia in 2001 where he, along with his fellow Marines, trained with members of the Australian Defense Force. This training program provides an opportunity to develop collaborative operations between the U.S. and Australia.

When he enlisted, he could not have possibly imagined that 9/11 would happen. He was in Darwin Australia during routine training when they learned that the 9/11 attacks were taking place. Immediately, the marines loaded a ship and headed to the Middle East region. In 2003, two years following 9/11, while the nation and the world sifted through the aftermath, he was deployed to Iraq.  He served with the Marines until 2004 and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for his exemplary service in Iraq.

With a successful career in the military behind him, he was ready to reconnect with his roots back home in Missouri. That transition looked easier than it really was. Like so many veterans, he had a really tough time transitioning back to civilian life. In addition to the immeasurable experience gained with the Marines, he also gained a permanently altered perspective to the world. Like most former military personnel, Hoehn found it hard to relax. During this time, it was tough to wrap his mind around a life without the transparent structure and clear expectations in the military.

It was during this segue that he reconnected with hunting as a connection to the outdoors.. For him, hunting “served as a link to reality.” He found that it calmed him and reminded him that there isn’t someone around every corner.

Today, with his feet once again firmly rooted in civilian life, he enjoys mentoring younger hunters. Joe along with his fellow team members of “The Break” generously donated time and expertise to the Kniestedt Foundation. It was through this work that he reconnected with foundation Project Manager, Joe Rhodes. Life has come full circle for Joe Hoehn as both Hoehn and Rhodes grew up hunting on neighboring farms in Missouri and now enjoy hunting together in South Texas.
When reflecting upon his work with the Kniestedt Foundation, he sees so many positives. Because veterans often lose touch with each other after they transition back to civilian life, particularly if they have sustained injuries, he sees the Kniestedt Foundation as a way to reconnect with the fellow veterans. He finds it eye opening and humbling to be able to serve his comrades during the hunting weekends hosted by the foundation.

This camaraderie is similar to fellowship experienced in the military. It simply feels good for veterans to feel a part of a team again— a team that is working towards a common positive goal.
When Joe is not hunting or spending time with his wife and son, he works as a Railroad Engineer for BNSF.

For more information on The Break hunting show, visit:
http://www.huntthebreak.com