Stand-Up comedian and Marine Corps Veteran Erik Knowles got an early start with a set of Nickelodeon jokes at 4th grade summer camp. He joined the Marine Corps because he was looking for a father figure. In fact, a Marine Corps Drill Instructor taught him to shave.
Erik soon learned that being a comedian does not always fly in the military. He got busted down in rank a couple of times. His Sergeant liked him but realized he couldn’t bust him down any further, so instead decided on a creative punishment; he signed Erik up for the squadron Christmas Party talent show. Erik won the talent show and after that Marines would come to his barracks asking to be entertained.
Erik draws from his time in the Corps for some of his comedy sets, translating it into a way that civilians can understand. We agree that in the private sector, we should start every morning with a cadence.
Erik planned to leave following his enlistment. However, he was caught up in the stop loss for the Iraq War and volunteered to go to Iraq to avoid chow hall duty. Immediately upon arrival his group was assigned to chow hall duty. Instead, Erik made up a job as a mess hall door greeter. He performed that duty for six weeks and was even asked to train a new Marine for that duty!
We have had a number of military and first responder guests who turned to Stand Up comedy as a way of addressing their personal trauma. But Erik has decided to use comedy to help other Veterans. He is involved with the “One Degree of Separation” program to help military members deal with depression and suicide. He also has a contract to work with the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program.
Erik has recently partnered with Veteran and Stand-Up Comedian & fellow Veteran Bobby Henline.
TAKEAWAY: “We use dark humor to get us through combat, why not use it to heal afterward?”