The Bowman Family
Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, Jared Bowman, 35, has led his life through immense resilience, dedication, and unwavering service to his country and family. His story begins at North Carolina State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in psychology in 2009. In August 2014, he married his wife, Sydney Bowman, and they made their home in Statesville, North Carolina. Their family expanded with the arrival of four daughters: Donna (7), Lucy (5), Anne (3), and Evelynne (2). Interested in becoming a soldier from an early age, Bowman made a choice to join the North Carolina National Guard in 2016. This decision was driven by a deep sense of duty and service, which has always been a part of him. In fact, his commitment echoes through the generations, with his grandfather, Fred Bowman, serving as a World War II veteran. Bowman began his military journey at Fort Jackson in South Carolina for basic training and was quickly recognized for his leadership abilities. Later that year, he attended Advanced Individual Training (AIT) at Fort Huachuca to become a Geospatial Imagery Intelligence Analyst. In both training sessions, he was recognized as the Student First Sergeant. However, a pivotal moment in Bowman’s narrative unfolded in June 2022 during a training jump with his airborne unit. A traumatic incident resulted in a severe back injury – where he broke his T-12 and L-1 vertebrae – marking the beginning of a challenging path to recovery. But this didn’t stop him from continuing his National Guard service. A month later, in July 2022, Bowman was promoted to Staff Sergeant and returned to D Co. 236th BEB as the GEOINT Section Sergeant. His accident, unfortunately, caused him to develop arthritis and he now has degenerative discs around the site of the injury. Despite grappling with physical and emotional challenges, Jared remains committed to his recovery journey. Recognizing the profound impact of his experiences, he sought professional assistance for PTSD, depression, and anxiety through the Cohen Military Family Clinic at Centerstone. Thanks to that, he has diligently cultivated adaptive coping mechanisms to manage physical pain and nurture his mental wellbeing. To date, Bowman’s military accolades include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, and the esteemed German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge. In his civilian life, he plays a significant role in Bowman Financial Solutions, his family's financial services firm, a responsibility he's held since 2012. Together with his wife, Bowman is also actively engaged in their local church community, contributing through teaching roles and pastoral visits to congregants unable to attend services. Beyond his military and professional pursuits, Jared finds fulfillment in marksmanship, firearm craftsmanship, and hunting in North Carolina's Piedmont region. He actively participates in the F3 men's fitness group and passionately engages in the study of theology, nurturing his intellectual interests. It is evident that Bowman understands what it is to lead life with true American values. Military Makeover with Montel® is honored to have the Bowman Family as the recipients of this season’s makeover. With the help of our generous partners, we will be able to embark on this home transformation for yet another deserving military family.
