474: Building More United Communities. With Force Recon Marine, Jake Harriman
Jan 22, 2025
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Jake Harriman, a distinguished Force Recon Marine and founder of Nuru International, shares his transformative journey from military life to humanitarian leadership. He discusses the critical link between equitable prosperity and community safety, highlighting how resources can prevent violence. Harriman reflects on the importance of personal connections in revitalizing communities and offers insights on empowering local leaders to combat poverty and extremism. His experiences underline the significance of resilience, unity, and proactive involvement in fostering strong, supportive communities.
Jake Harriman's emotional experience during combat shaped his commitment to address the root causes of extremism through poverty alleviation.
His upbringing in West Virginia instilled values of community support and responsibility, which influenced his leadership in global poverty initiatives.
Transitioning to civilian life post-Marine Corps allowed Harriman time for self-reflection, leading to the founding of Nuru International to combat extreme poverty.
Nuru International emphasizes sustainable development and community empowerment, enabling residents to lead their own recovery from poverty rather than relying on temporary aid.
Through More Perfect Union, Harriman aims to foster civic engagement and unity among Americans, particularly leveraging veterans' experiences to build communities.
Deep dives
The Impact of Combat
The podcast opens with a harrowing account of a combat scenario during the Iraq War, focusing on an incident where a platoon commander, Jake Harriman, encounters a desperate Iraqi father amidst the violence. This encounter highlights the tragic consequences of war, including the loss of family and the emotional toll on both soldiers and civilians. Harriman’s emotional response underscores the shared humanity that exists even in times of conflict. This moment shapes Harriman’s perspective on his future endeavors and the importance of addressing the roots of extremism.
Lessons from an Upbringing
Harriman discusses his upbringing in a small West Virginia farming community, emphasizing the values of hard work, community support, and a mindset of abundance despite their poverty. His parents instilled in him the belief that they were never truly poor, as they always had enough to survive and help others. This background prepared him for leadership roles and instilled a deep sense of responsibility toward helping others, particularly those facing extreme hardship globally. The values learned during this formative period continue to influence Harriman's work in poverty alleviation.
Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
After leaving the Marine Corps, Harriman faced the challenge of transitioning into civilian life while maintaining a sense of purpose. Initially, he took a job driving a seafood delivery truck, which allowed him the time to reflect and plan his next moves while also providing some stability. Despite feeling lost and unsure, this job became a valuable period for self-discovery and re-evaluation of his mission. Harriman ultimately felt compelled to create an organization aimed at eradicating extreme poverty in war-torn regions and promoting stability as a means to reduce violence.
Founding Nuru International
Harriman launched Nuru International with the goal of addressing extreme poverty in unstable regions through sustainable development rather than temporary aid. He sought to empower local communities by increasing agricultural yields and providing the tools necessary for them to lift themselves out of poverty. By focusing on local leadership and collaboration, the organization aimed to create programs that would outlast foreign intervention. Nuru's comprehensive approach to poverty alleviation aimed to provide dignity and agency to the communities served.
Adapting to the Field Conditions
During his time in Africa with Nuru, Harriman faced numerous challenges, including battling malaria, encountering thieves, and dealing with the realities of life in remote villages. These struggles illustrated the harsh conditions that people in impoverished areas live under daily. Despite the difficulties, these experiences solidified Harriman's commitment to his mission. The hands-on lessons learned in the field informed Nuru’s methods and reinforced the importance of resilience in the face of adversity.
The Power of Community
Nuru International focused on building strong community bonds among locals to foster collaboration and shared goals. By uniting fragmented villages and promoting community service, Harriman demonstrated that collective action could lead to increased prosperity and stability. The approach sought to break down barriers among different groups and emphasized the notion that unity brings strength. It showcased how communal efforts in pursuit of common objectives could not only uplift individual lives but also improve the overall well-being of the community.
The Shift in Purpose
After years spent working to tackle poverty worldwide, Harriman's focus shifted back to the United States in light of rising political division and discontent among Americans. He recognized the same principles of empowerment and unity that were effective overseas needed to be applied at home. With growing concerns about the divisive political climate, he became determined to foster cooperation and understanding in American communities. This realization led him to establish More Perfect Union, an organization aimed at bridging divides and promoting a sense of shared purpose among Americans.
More Perfect Union's Mission
Harriman outlines the vision behind More Perfect Union, aiming to reactivate civic engagement and restore the sense of community among Americans. The organization seeks to involve veterans as leaders, leveraging their unique experiences to foster unity and collaboration within local communities. Initiatives focus on coming together for social events, community service projects, and civic engagement, allowing diverse voices to be heard in a safe and constructive environment. By encouraging practical actions, More Perfect Union promotes the idea that Americans can connect over shared values despite differing opinions.
Building a Movement
The podcast concludes with Harriman discussing the growth of More Perfect Union and its increasing membership, emphasizing the hunger among Americans for connection in these divisive times. The organization has seen a rapid expansion of active chapters nationwide, led by veterans trained to engage with their communities effectively. This grassroots approach aims to create a powerful network of connected individuals striving for a more united country. Harriman's call to action encourages listeners to seek common ground and take responsibility for cultivating positive change in local communities.
Jake graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy and served seven and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Platoon Commander in both the Infantry and Force Recon. Following his service, Jake enrolled at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. While at Stanford, he founded Nuru International to eradicate extreme poverty in the world’s most unstable, vulnerable regions to help end violent extremism. Jake played a vital role in drafting, introducing, and passing groundbreaking new legislation called the Global Fragility Act of 2019 that equips America with new authorities and resources to prevent conflict and stabilize some of the most fragile regions of the world.
