Jason Workman
DOD // 08.06.2011
HOMETOWN // Montrose, CO
DOB // 08.12.1978
Jason Ray Workman was born on August 12, 1978, in Montrose, Colorado. When he was 6 years, old along with his parents and his three older brothers, he moved to Blanding, Utah, where his parents and one brother still remain.
He lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball at San Juan High School. He also earned All-State honors in Football and Baseball. He graduated from high school in May of 1997. In August of that year, he accepted a call to serve a full-time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Belo Horizonte Brazil Mission and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Upon completion of his mission, he entered college at Southern Utah University and graduated with a BA in Criminal Justice in 2003.
After graduation in 2003, he joined the Navy and reported to Naval Recruit training command in Great Lakes, Illinois. On the 22nd of October 2003, he completed basic training and reported to A-school for 3 months. On the 24th of January 2004, he entered Basic Underwater Demolition Seal (BUDS) training in Coronado, California. After 6 months of the most grueling and demanding training in the Military, he graduated with Bud’s Class 250 and immediately proceeded to advanced Seal Qualification training in March 2005. He was assigned to his first permanent duty station Seal Team 2 in Virginia Beach, Virginia from April 25, 2005, to September 17, 2008. Chief Petty Officer Workman (SEAL) began a rigorous selection and training course with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG). Nine months after beginning his training process Chief Workman was selected to be a Naval Special Warfare Development Group Operator and reported to TACDEVRON three (Seal Team 6) where he completed numerous deployments around the world in support of the Global War on Terror. In eight short years, Jason worked his way into the ranks of the most elite warriors on earth.
On November 10, 2008, he married Stacey Lucas and one year later on November 5, 2009, they were blessed with a baby son they named Jax.
Jason was killed on August 6, 2011, with 29 other Brave Americans in Wardak Province, Tanji Valley, Afghanistan when the Chinook they were traveling in--en route to help their brothers in arms on the ground--was hit by an RPG and crashed. Jason died 6 days before his 33rd birthday. Twenty-one members of Jason’s troop shared the dark night with him as they hastened to the awaiting battle. Numerous battles had bound them as brothers. They had sweat, bled, laughed, cried, rejoiced, and mourned together. The best ones our country had to offer, they were men who could have excelled anywhere, but chose to be SEALS because they loved the work and they knew they served a
greater good preserving our American way of life for the ones they loved. They knew the dangers and possible consequences of their operation, for all of them at some point had buried friends and teammates. Even if their pre-mission brief had hinted of their fate that night, with nonchalant shrugs, winks, and smiles they would have boarded the aircraft and stood by their brothers, relying on the confidence and skill gained in multiple combat tours, realizing that they fought for us, and knowing they were with each other.
Chief Workman is a highly decorated Combat Veteran with numerous awards including two Bronze Stars with Valor, Purple Heart Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Joint Service Achievement Medals, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement medals, two Combat Action Ribbons, two Presidential Unit Citations, Navy Unit Commendation, two Afghanistan Campaign, Iraq Campaign medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and numerous other personal and Unit Decorations.
Jason was a man who loved life and was a friend to everyone he met. People remember him for his big smile and that he always stood up for the underdog or came to the aid of anyone who needed his help. His spirit, his strength, and his smile will live with us in our hearts and he will always be in our thoughts. Chief Workman is buried in Arlington National Cemetery--submitted by family