Military Recognition: Hoover Resident Named Birmingham Veteran of the Year

Three years is the duration Jim Langley spent in a field artillery unit in Alaska, a service period that defined his military career despite his initial hopes for combat in Vietnam. The Hoover resident was recently named Birmingham Veteran of the Year by the Military Officers Association of America. Langley, who was a student at Jacksonville State University during the height of the Vietnam War, joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps as a backup plan while he decided on his future. He described his early attitude as being ready to join the service.

In the summer of 1971, Langley and other soldiers began training at Fort Bragg. As the United States reduced its troop presence in Vietnam, Langley was redirected to Alaska instead of seeing combat. He admitted to feeling initially disappointed about not earning combat ribbons. However, observing the trauma carried by returning soldiers changed his perspective. He stated that after seeing how the war affected others, he felt blessed to have been spared that specific experience.

Langley’s career continued after Alaska. He served as an instructor at Fort Sill in Oklahoma from 1974 to 1978. Before returning to the Birmingham area in 1979, he spent a year at Camp Stanley in South Korea. He retired from the reserves in 1994. Since then, he has remained active in military affairs, particularly through his work with the Military Officers Association of America.

One of Langley’s primary current responsibilities is writing a newsletter for the association. The newsletter covers news regarding veterans’ health care and benefits. Langley noted that while the military provides care, living on the pay can be difficult for service members today. He remains committed to supporting those in the armed forces and the country.

Langley’s professional life extended beyond the military. After returning to Alabama, he worked for BellSouth for 15 years. He also served with organizations such as AIDS Alabama, which he cited as the work he is most proud of. He contrasted the competitive nature of the business world with the personal connections he formed at AIDS Alabama, where he saw social workers make a difference for clients.

Langley has received other honors in recent years. In 2021, the city of Hoover awarded him the Freedom Award. The following year, in 2022, he received a Quilt of Valor. He expressed surprise at winning the Birmingham Veteran of the Year title, though he maintained his patriotism while expressing frustration with wars driven by politics.