Hope From An Unexpected Place
Before today I had no idea what the Pentagon is or what it is for. I just thought that It was a strangely shaped government building that did some very important things. From the second I first stepped into that building I was shocked at the range of people who work there. There are many people doing different and very important tasks that help our country to function and to remain safe. Seeing so many people doing so many good things in one place gave me hope for our country because it showed me that the American people can find ways to work together no matter how different we are as long as we have a common goal.
All the people that we talked to while in the Pentagon were so true to themselves and their mission, and it was incredibly inspiring. Officer Jackson, the person who set up our visit, is a retired army soldier who now works at the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, the police force at the Pentagon. He said his goal is to help as many people as possible no matter what that entails. He said even if it is just giving someone directions while on patrol, he feels satisfied that he has done his job.
We also interviewed Officer Jackson’s boss, the agency chief. He said his purpose is to provide resources to his staff to keep people like Officer Jackson ready for whatever they have to deal with. Helping others is what makes him feel he is doing his duty and fulfilling his mission. Finally, we talked to a NBC reporter, who works at the Pentagon and has reported from combat zones. She said that even though her job is sometimes dangerous, the benefits that come from bringing the truth to the people of America justify the risks she takes.
In general, I was impressed with the pure resolve that the people who work in the Pentagon exhibit. They have given me a little more trust in the government and shown that even in this difficult political situation there are still a lot of people in government doing a lot of good.
-Nikowa D’Costa-Hemp
A Surprising Realization
Today we went to the Pentagon, where we were given a tour by Officer Jackson.
When I started the day, I knew nothing about the Pentagon besides that it is somehow related to the government. We talked to a number of people, including Corey Walton, chief of staff of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, and a NBC correspondent. Until today, I had only seen the government and military as depicted in TV shows and movies, usually portrayed as hard, rough people. However, what I saw today was completely different. Corey’s enthusiastic presence and obvious love for his job lifted the room. He explained his job in a way that made me think I would love it too if it were my job.
Before visiting the Pentagon, I thought joining the military seemed like you were just giving away your life and independence. However, I now see that joining the military is not really like that; it’s willingly choosing to devote your energy and life to a greater good. Every military member I talked to was genuinely excited and interested to talk to me, and more than happy to answer any questions I had. I learned a lot, and I left the Pentagon with a newfound interest, as I’m now seriously considering joining the military airforce (Sorry, Mom).
-Lennon Smith
Our Visit to the Pentagon
Our visit to the Pentagon was a mix of formal and informal, which was unexpected. As someone who likes a comfortable work environment, I never imagined that working there could feel like a viable option.
Our morning started early with us getting dressed in our suits and gathering for breakfast. We were all excited as we rode the Metro. We had to follow the routine security procedures like those at an airport. Belts, jackets, phones all went into bins and rolled through the scanning machines as we passed through security checks.
Our guide for the day was Officer Jackson from the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. We began by entering an office, leaving our devices behind, and engaging in an insightful conversation with Corey Walton, the Chief of Staff of the agency. Corey shared anecdotes of his work and the ways in which individuals attempted to break Pentagon security.
After the interview we ate delectable Lebanese cuisine and I had a mango lassi at the Pentagon food court. Then we posed for photos with Mr. Jackson and Mr. Corey and then we visited the 9/11 memorial, where Mr. Jackson told about his Army team’s experiences during that tragic event. We stood in silence at the site where one of the planes had struck the Pentagon.
Finally, Officer Jackson talked about the new Space Force, and we saw models and he shared fascinating facts about it. We wrapped up our visit with a stop at the Pentagon gift shop. We said goodbye and headed back home on the Metro, reminiscing about our amazing experience at the Pentagon.
-Hans Hagge
In Service of the Truth
I was incredibly nervous to visit the Pentagon. Throughout the week, and especially in the beginning, I was very intimidated by my interviewees. However, I’ve become more comfortable interviewing people. Similarly, the longer I spent at the Pentagon, the more comfortable I became.
The impromptu interviews there were some of the most transformative I’ve had during my time in DC. My favorite interview at the Pentagon was with an NBC Pentagon correspondent. I have long considered being a reporter, and talking to her confirmed my desire to become one, and now I want more than ever to pursue that career.
Throughout our DC trip, the topic of service to something higher than oneself has been discussed. I bring this up because the NBC correspondent recounted her time as an embedded reporter covering foreign wars, where she faced constant danger. Hearing her story gave me a new understanding of what it means to take risks in the service of the truth, of others, and of something bigger than yourself. It’s one thing to report the news from the safety of a studio; it’s another thing entirely to live in the uncertainty of war zones, guided only by the purpose of informing the world.
For me, the Pentagon doesn’t just symbolize power and bureaucracy; it is a space where people devote themselves to something that is far more important than personal gain, serving the greater good. The journalist who risks her life to tell a story and the police officer who dedicates his life to public service both share a sense of duty that makes me rethink what kind of life I want to live.
-Eli Moody
The Pentagon, Public Service, and Lebanese Food
I was already familiar with the Pentagon before we went there. I had read several books on it, including one about 9/11, and I had even been to the Pentagon once, although I was unable to go inside. I was therefore most excited to visit the Pentagon, and I was not disappointed.
We took the Metro, and we arrived on time. We were met by our guide, Officer Anthony Jackson, who works for the Pentagon police force. He led us inside, where we took some pictures and met a therapy dog named Charlie. He had apparently not become an actual service dog because he was “too motivated by food.” After that, we went to Officer Jackson’s office, and we got to interview his boss. He was very nice, and along with Officer Jackson, he was very dedicated to his job and service to others. He was also very interested in talking to us.
After our impromptu interview with the police chief, we had another unexpected interview, this time with a correspondent from NBC. She has been to numerous countries, and has served as a war correspondent. She is a highly impressive woman, and I was struck by her sense of service to others. I was also impressed by her work commitment and the positive nature she radiated for her interview. Afterwards we got Lebanese food, which I was fortunately able to eat, as I am gluten free. What was even more surprising was that it was great, and I ended up saving some for leftovers.
Finally, we went to the 9/11 memorial, and I found out that Officer Jackson had been at the Pentagon as a soldier to help with the aftermath of the attack. He and his Army platoon were there for several weeks, helping to clean up. As we left, I was struck by one last thing, that my keen interest—almost an obsession—in military history felt validated.
-Kyler Nishimura
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