Each November, we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and enduring contributions of Native peoples across the United States. One area of remarkable impact is military service.
American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) men and women serve in the Armed Forces at five times the national average and have served with distinction in every major conflict for more than two centuries. Despite representing only about 1.4% of the total U.S. population, Native people make up 1.7% of the U.S. military, reflecting the highest per capita involvement of any population group.
This month, Native Reach™ is proud to highlight one of our own, Isiah Buckley, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served from 2009 to 2016. For Isiah, joining the Marines was about more than service, it was about growth and discovery. “I wanted to travel and see the world,” he recalls.
During his time in the Marines, Isiah served as a Marine Security Guard, a highly selective position that took him across the globe. Stationed at U.S. embassies, he had the rare opportunity to live overseas and travel to more than 20 countries. His best memory from those years? Being stationed in Argentina with his 5 other comrades, who are all still in touch to this day. Those deep connections built through shared experiences, trust, and purpose reflect the kind of lifelong brotherhood that military service can create.
Coming from reservation life, Isiah carried with him the strength and positivity instilled by his upbringing. “Even through bootcamp, I stayed positive,” he says. “Being from where I grew up taught me resilience.”
As we honor Native American Heritage Month, we extend gratitude to all Native veterans who have served and continue to serve our nation with pride. Their legacy reminds us that service is not only an act of duty but also an act of community and perseverance.