Inspired by 9/11/2001, Jody joined the military and served state-side as a soldier in the Arkansas Army National Guard from 2003-2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Medal and the National Defense Medal. In a bitter-sweet turn, his spinal issues came to a head in 2020 when he was forced to get spinal fusion surgery.
Luckily, this spinal fusion surgery was highly successful and Shackelford found he could pass the Army Physical Fitness test. With a heart for service, he applied to join the Army once again in 2021 as a Judge Advocate General Officer. Working with the Arkansas Army National Guard JAG Office at Camp Robinson in Little Rock, he began his candidacy for a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant with hopes of a medical waiver. He submitted his packet in December 2021 with a full release for duty from his neurosurgeon, but to his heartbreak he was ultimately deemed to have a non-waiverable condition due to spinal fusion by the National Guard Board.
He remains open to National Guard or Army Reserve JAG service if a waiver is approved because Congressmen can serve in those branches while in office.
