Navy Vet Joshua Sooklal ’25 Is a Fierce Advocate for Veterans
Degree: Human Services & Community Justice
Military Rank: U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman
Programs: Military & Veteran Services; CUNY Justice Academy
Fellowships/Internships: New York City Veterans Advisory Board, Mayoral Appointee; American Veterans Archaeological Recovery Program (AVAR)
Mentors: Richard Pusateri, Military & Veteran Services Manager
Hometown: Queens, NY
Current Role: Military and Veteran Program Manager, Hope for the Warriors
Career Aspirations: Veteran’s Advocate/Attorney
What was life like before John Jay?
I was born in Trinidad and lived there until I was five years old. Once in the U.S., I lived in Queens, which I think is the best borough in the city. It’s a huge melting pot, very culturally, ethnically, and religiously diverse—it made for an enriching upbringing.
What sparked your interest in the military?
The military gave me stability and a path forward in life. During my time with the Navy as a hospital corpsman, I was able to provide medical care, which was never something I dreamed of doing. At first, I was assigned to provide administrative support, checking in everyone who was getting medically treated. But I was eager to learn more about assisting with medical care, so on my days off, I would stop by the different medical departments, like the ICU unit, to get a better understanding of what they were doing. Then I worked in the ICU for a full year. That year taught me so much about life-sustaining techniques, how to think quickly on my feet, sterilize an environment to ensure safe blood transfusions and procedures can take place, and how to be empathetic to what others are going through.
My hospital corpsman experience led to me working with the Marine Corps special forces in 2013, and with that branch, I was deployed to Iraq, Bahrain, Syria, and Jordan. I taught soldiers medical procedures and provided lifesaving drugs. I also traveled with different teams during their missions. My job was to treat anyone wounded in the field. I was shot at and survived several explosions, from explosive devices and rocket-propelled grenades. I have had multiple traumatic brain injuries as a result.
Why John Jay?
After retiring from the Navy, I knew I wanted to do work that would help people, but to do that on a big scale, I needed my degree. I was enrolled at BMCC, pursuing an associate degree in human services, and learned I could transfer to John Jay College through the CUNY Justice Academy and earn my bachelor’s degree. I also knew John Jay had a vibrant and supportive veterans and military service community, which made me excited to come to the College. I wanted to regain that sense of camaraderie I had in the military. I wanted to help my peers and engage in their success. Being part of John Jay’s Military and Veteran Services community enabled me to support my peers through mentorship and feel like I belonged.
What was your experience like being on the New York City Veterans Advisory Board?
Once I was back home in the U.S., I started to see that there were a lot of barriers in place preventing veterans from accessing resources. I reached out to the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services and the New York City Department of Veterans’ Services and connected with their commissioner and assistant commissioners. I explained what policies weren’t working and what changes needed to happen at the local and state levels to effectively help veterans. They appreciated my feedback and suggested I apply to be a mayoral appointee for the NYC Veterans Advisory Board so that I could officially have an impact on empowering the veteran community.
As a mayoral appointee for the Veterans Advisory Board, I’m advocating on behalf of veterans throughout the city, trying to garner the support of policymakers and elected officials. The goal is to create positive change for our veteran community. I’ve testified in front of the New York City Council, facilitated services for our veteran population, sought to change policy, and fought to ensure that veterans get what they deserve—adequate housing, reduced MetroCards, and access to VA loans and resources that will help them do well in life.
What I’ve realized in doing this kind of advocacy work is that it can only go so far in creating change. The only way for me to effectively alter how veterans are treated and what resources they’re allowed to access is to help create new policies that uplift them. In order to do that, I need to become a lawyer, which is why I’ll be applying to law school in the future.
What has your experience with Hope for the Warriors been like?
After leaving the Navy, I knew I was mentally and emotionally struggling. Luckily, I joined the VA (Veteran Affairs) and received readjustment counseling. But during that time, I lost my military best friend, Shawn, to suicide. Realizing that I needed a greater level of support, my boss at the time connected me to Hope for the Warriors. The organization helps service members, veterans, and their families—including the families of soldiers who have died—adjust to the challenges of military life. Hope for the Warriors has resources and staff, including social workers, in place who offer a plethora of assistance—financial, career, and mental wellness. I have been with them, in some form or fashion, since 2022. I’ve even connected some of my peers at John Jay with the organization.
What are your plans post John Jay?
I’ll be applying to law school and working full-time for the Northeast branch of Hope for the Warriors as a military and veteran program manager. Being a resource and helping military service members, fellow veterans, and their families with some of their needs means a lot to me. It’s hard for people to reach out and ask for help. If I can make that ask easier for someone, if I can help facilitate the process so that their mental health and needs are taken care of and their family is good, then I’ve done my job.
