Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan Chang.
Hi Jonathan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a tight-knit community in the Pacific Palisades through middle school. It was there I discovered my calling for service, social justice, and environmentalism. Those lessons made a significant impact on me and where I learned to read the newspaper every day, it spurred in me a sense of curiosity and opened my eyes to the world outside of the Palisades. When I was in high school I had the calling to serve (pre 9/11) in the military. I don’t know exactly what it was but I knew it was something I needed to do. I went to UC Santa Barbara where I majored in Sociology and got a world-class education. After graduating from UC Santa Barbara I was commissioned in the Marine Corps as a Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) where I deployed to the Middle East several times one of which was a combat deployment in Marjah, Afghanistan in 2010. I served on active duty for more than ten years holding positions from Forward Observer to Battery Commander and everything in between. After I left active duty I got a job working for a congressional campaign where the candidate’s focus was on the issues I care about and listed above. Additionally, I served in the Riverside County Democratic Party as a Delegate for AD75, was the vice president of Temecula Valley Democrats, and organized a protest in response to George Floyd’s murder in Temecula (a very conservative town) where I had several speakers speak out, and educate the community and share their lived experiences, Approximately 1,000 people showed up in attendance. I’ve also traveled to all seven continents and hiked the Everest Base Camp Trek in the Himalayas.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Transitioning out of the military was one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do. It took me several months to find a full time job (not seasonal eg the campaign). I worked in construction management for a year, it was not the industry or the lifestyle for me, although it paid really well, I learned that quality of life was more important than a paycheck. A friend of mine told me a position was opening up at his work and encouraged me to apply. I got a job teaching Marines fire support and combined arms (artillery, mortars, and close air support). I worked there for two years and saw there was no upward mobility. I had just gotten out of a long-term relationship and needed to hit the proverbial reset button. It was around this time there was a deployment opportunity in my reserve unit. Having deployment experience and needing to reset my life, I volunteered to deploy, leading Marines who had never deployed, and using the opportunity to gain experience to help me transition out of the military again to a better career.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
There are so many things I am proud of, leading Marines is at the top of the list. Having my former Marines reach out to me and thank me for being their platoon, company, or battery commander is one of the most rewarding things I’ve experienced. Recently one of my Marines graduated from the FBI Academy as the class honor graduate. I am so proud of him, I’ve seen this Marine grow in such a short amount of time, they are destined for great things, and am excited to watch them flourish.
Aside from that, I am beyond proud of helping to elect a member of the historic 115th Congress, and my work as the Temecula Valley Democrats Vice President specifically organizing the George Floyd protest/candlelight vigil.
I’m also an award-winning photographer having won a photo contest from FractureMe. I am currently writing a coffee table book with photos from my recent trip to Antarctica paired with the lessons learned from our shipboard lectures from the scientists onboard.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Human Rights. This should be self-explanatory but we ALL deserve to be treated with dignity, respect, and equity. We should not treat anyone as “lesser than” or second-class citizens. We are all people. We should all have the same rights and opportunities afforded to us. Human rights are the cornerstone of a fair and just society. I believe every individual deserves equal access to opportunities, protections, and freedoms, regardless of their background. Access to basic human rights—such as healthcare, housing, clean water, nutritious food, education, and economic justice—is accessible to all. Human rights also defend the most vulnerable, ensuring marginalized communities are protected from exploitation. This interconnected view of human rights extends globally, advocating for dignity and justice everywhere. Ultimately, human rights empower people to shape their own lives and futures.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jecc1183/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-chang-e/
- Twitter: https://bsky.app/profile/progressiveveteran.bsky.social
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/jon.shoots.film/
Image Credits
The last photo through the crowd infront of the sign that reads “I Can’t Breathe” Photo credit to Bryan Giardinelli
