Nollywood actor Joseph Momodu has officially begun a new chapter in his life after successfully completing the United States Army Basic Combat Training, marking a milestone he describes as one of the toughest and most rewarding achievements of his life.
Now officially recognized as Specialist (SPC) J.A. Momodu, serving with 1st Platoon, Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Momodu says the journey was earned through determination, sacrifice, and unwavering resilience.
According to him, the achievement was not handed to him but built through weeks of intense physical and mental endurance.
“From the very beginning, I have always believed in earning success through merit. This achievement came with tears, fear of failure, resilience, endless days, sleepless nights, fatigue, rain, and the scorching sun,” he said.
The 10-week military training demanded complete discipline and isolation, with recruits remaining incommunicado throughout the programme. Momodu described the experience as one that pushed him beyond his limits.
“There were moments of doubt and times I asked myself, ‘Who send me message sef?’ But I never lost sight of the finish line. We trained tirelessly, were broken down and rebuilt. I went to sleep a civilian and woke up a soldier.”
For the actor, however, the achievement carries an even deeper personal significance.
On April 12, 2026—exactly 20 years after the passing of his late father—Momodu honoured his memory by continuing the family’s legacy of service. His father served in the Nigerian Police Force, and Momodu says his enlistment into the United States Army represents carrying that legacy into a new generation.
“This is my way of picking up the baton where my father left off,” he said.
Momodu dedicated the achievement first to God for granting him the grace to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) examination on his first attempt and successfully complete Basic Combat Training. He also dedicated the milestone to his late father and to the Royal Family of Oba Momodu II of the Avyuele Clan, Agbede, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.
He equally expressed appreciation to his social media manager, ogara, for managing his online presence throughout the 10-week training period, as well as the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Burbank, California, for facilitating his enlistment process.
As one chapter closes, another begins.
From Nollywood actor to United States Army Specialist, Joseph Momodu says he is ready for the next mission.
