Photo By Lt. Col. Ellis Parks | U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jayson Alexander, a recent graduate of Queen’s College in...... read more read more
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Raleigh, NC- Very few people can follow their passion while also pursuing what they feel is their purpose. This is what many have found in becoming Soldiers and Airmen in the National Guard. The North Carolina National Guard comprises a diverse group of individuals, including farmers, teachers, construction workers, homemakers, lawyers, doctors, active-duty Soldiers and Airmen, and even NASCAR drivers.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Jayson Alexander, a recent graduate of Queen’s College in Charlotte, was commissioned as a new transportation officer assigned to the NCNG’s 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. He met with U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Wes Morrison, the NCNG Assistant Adjutant General-Maneuver, one week after racing his No. 2 Chevrolet Silverado in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck series race held in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
Alexander is another example of how diverse and dynamic the NCNG is and how the approximate 10,000 Soldiers and Airmen are uniquely integrated in almost every community across the state. Alexander’s niche is rather exceptional, even for the guard.
“I didn’t start racing until I was 19 years old, much older than most kids did,” Alexander said. “My parents wouldn’t pay for me to race so I started by selling sponsorships for other drivers. I just knew that I always wanted to race, and I followed that.”
Morrison acknowledged how rare this opportunity must have been for Alexander and even reflected on his history with NASCAR, exemplifying how closely knit NASCAR’s history is with North Carolina and the NCNG’s culture.
“I’m actually an old school NASCAR fan,” said Morrison. “I used to would drive back from drill and listen to the races on the radio. It would keep me awake after a hard drill weekend.”
Alexander, a part-time driver, has been in the NCNG since college. As a student, he was in Army ROTC, where he earned his commission and played on the college’s NCAA Division I lacrosse team. This work-life complexity is common for many guardsmen across the U.S., they just can’t claim that their part-time jobs allow them to drive faster than 175 miles per hour, legally.
“I couldn’t compete at a full-time level,” Alexander said. “My coaches were really cool about my split decision and what my commanding officer expected of me. Both (coaches) were really understanding.”
Morrison, who often speaks about how technology modernization is shaping the current operational and tactical landscape for the NCNG and all the military, asked Alexander about how technology is influencing NASCAR. Alexander smiled and explained.
“That’s exactly how my pathway ended up,” Alexander said. “I went straight from the computer, and playing (racing) video games my whole life, to driving. I didn’t ride go-karts when I was growing up or anything like that.”
Alexander explained that just as NASCAR was always his dream, so was being in the military. This spark grew even more when he visited a local base and saw pilots and fighter jets for the first time.
“In middle school, my uncle took me to a military air show for the first time at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.” Alexander said. “I got to meet a pilot, I got to see fighter jets and helicopters, and I was like, o.k., I got to figure out how to make this (being a pilot) a reality.”
Alexander enlisted in the NCNG to pursue the dream of flying but realized that the time and effort it would take to become a pilot might stall his flourishing NASCAR career. He explained that although the dream of being a pilot is on pause for now, his passion to serve remains strong.
“The North Carolina National Guard allows me to continue to pursue my civilian career while serving,” Alexander said. “While I originally envisioned going in the military full time, maybe as a fighter pilot or helicopter pilot, I’m really happy about where I ended up landing and the opportunities that have been afforded me by being in the NCNG.”
| Date Taken: | 05.23.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 05.30.2025 11:20 |
| Story ID: | 499260 |
| Location: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | NORTH WILKESBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Hometown: | RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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