New Grad 2013: Jason Everman

Jason Everman has cultivated a life of adventure. In 1987, Everman, then a commercial fisherman off the coast of Alaska, quit his job and moved to Seattle where he made his mark in the music scene, becoming the second guitarist for the band Nirvana, with whom he recorded and toured the country to promote their Bleach album.

By
Christina Gray
December 01, 2014

One year later, he auditioned for a spot in Soundgarden, beating out the competition and playing bass on their “Louder than Love” tour, which took him through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe. Upon the tour’s completion, Everman moved to New York City where he was recruited as the bassist for Old Lady Drivers. Shortly thereafter, he went on to sign as a guitarist with alt-metal group Mind Funk. 

Everman eventually outgrew the rock scene, and in 1994, he traded his pick for a rifle and enlisted in the U.S. Army special operations forces as a part of the 2nd Ranger Battalion, partially inspired by his grandfather, who was a WWII tank commander. After about three years of service, Everman found a job as a bike messenger in Manhattan in order to save money for a trip to Nepal. He hiked the Himalayas for several months and stayed in a monastery in the Everest region for a few weeks, dividing his time between meditating and doing chores. 

Throughout my adult life I have made the conscious effort to develop three aspects of who I am: the artist, the soldier, and the philosopher. I believe GS has been the ideal place to realize this development.

Jason Everman '13GS

In 2000, Everman re-enlisted in the U.S. Army special operations forces and was deployed to S.E. Asia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. After finishing his tour of duty, Everman decided to attend college, considering the completion of his bachelor’s degree the final step in pursuing a well-rounded life.

“Throughout my adult life I have made the conscious effort to develop three aspects of who I am: the artist, the soldier, and the philosopher. I believe GS has been the ideal place to realize this development,” Everman said.

During his time at GS, Everman was an active member of the U.S. Military Veterans of Columbia University student organization. Since graduation, he has spent time traveling, and he hopes to publish a novel. He also plans to apply to a graduate degree program to study history.


This article first appeared in the 2014 issue of The Owl magazine