Sergeant Major  A.J. Baker - SECU Family House Guest

Sergeant Major A.J. Baker has spent his life in service. Stationed at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and a member of the elite U.S. Army Special Forces, he enlisted right after high school. Over the course of 19 years, he has risen through the ranks to become a Sergeant Major — the highest rank attainable by enlisted personnel. He has faced rigorous training, multiple deployments, and the challenges that can come with life in the military.

In 2023, A.J. was faced with a very different kind of mission — not in service to his country, but in defense of his own health. He was diagnosed with throat cancer. After undergoing surgery, all were hopeful. But in March 2025, he received the news no one wants to hear: the cancer had returned. Now, A.J. is undergoing chemotherapy and radiation twice a day at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. He is staying at SECU Family House while receiving treatment — a place he calls “awesome,” not just for its sheer convenience, but for the peace of mind it brings.

“After my radiation and chemo treatment, I am so tired, the environment here makes everything easier,” he says. “It’s a convenient place to sleep after being poked and prodded all day. The food is phenomenal. And everyone seems to genuinely care.”

With his family more than an hour and a half away in Fayetteville, the logistics of care could have been overwhelming. But Family House has offered something rare for patients in the middle of such an intense fight: relief.

“There’s a great sense of relief — not just for me, but for my wife and kids. They know I have a place to stay, and they can come here to support me if I need it.”

A.J.’s wife, Kasandra, a teacher, stayed at Family House for a few days during his surgery. With 7-year-old twins at home, she has returned to Fayetteville to continue working and caring for their children — made easier knowing A.J. is somewhere safe and supported.

While A.J. faces his current battle with quiet strength, the support of Family House is helping him do what he’s always done: push forward with courage, and never alone.

Donate here to give a gift in tribute to our military and veterans