Today we’d like to introduce you to Jay Lawrence.
Hi Jay, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Jay Lawrence’s journey to Combat Zone 360 didn’t begin on a comedy stage—it began on the battlefield.
After serving 21 years in the U.S. Army, including combat deployments that earned him a Purple Heart, Jay retired believing he would finally have time to enjoy life. Instead, like many Veterans, he found himself struggling with a loss of purpose. The structure, mission, and camaraderie that had defined his life for more than two decades were suddenly gone. He fell into a deep depression, feeling as though he no longer had anything meaningful to give.
Determined to find a new mission, Jay launched a local television show on Staten Island, New York, focused entirely on the Veteran community. Through Combat Zone 360, he interviewed Veterans, military organizations, nonprofits, and community leaders, creating a platform that educated civilians while giving Veterans a voice. When COVID-19 brought productions to a halt, the television show was canceled, leaving Jay searching once again for a way to serve.
Rather than giving up, he adapted. He transitioned Combat Zone 360 into a podcast, continuing conversations with Veterans and advocates from across the country. During that journey, he discovered something unexpected—stand-up comedy.
What started as an opportunity to challenge himself quickly became something much bigger. Jay realized that laughter had the power to break down barriers, create connection, and help Veterans heal in ways traditional conversations sometimes couldn’t. Comedy became more than entertainment—it became therapy, community, and purpose.
That realization transformed Combat Zone 360 into what it is today: a Veteran-led nonprofit that produces comedy shows across the country, primarily at American Legions, VFWs, and Veteran organizations. As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, Combat Zone 360’s mission is simple: use laughter to bring Veterans together, remind them they are not alone, and give back to the Veteran community through every show.
For Jay, Combat Zone 360 isn’t just a comedy company. It’s the mission he thought he had lost after leaving the Army. Today, instead of leading Soldiers, he’s bringing Veterans together one laugh at a time—proving that sometimes the next chapter in life can become the most meaningful mission of all.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not at all. If anything, the struggles have shaped Combat Zone 360 into what it is today.
Like many Veterans, I had to rediscover my identity after leaving the military. In the Army, I always had a mission, a team, and a clear sense of purpose. Once that was gone, I struggled with depression and questioned what value I still had to offer.
Starting Combat Zone 360 wasn’t easy either. Building a nonprofit from the ground up meant learning everything from fundraising and marketing to event production and sponsorships. There were plenty of times when doors didn’t open, emails went unanswered, and opportunities fell through. COVID ending our television show was a major setback, and there were moments when it felt like years of work had disappeared overnight.
Comedy brought its own challenges. Walking into comedy clubs as a 40-something Army Veteran with no experience was intimidating. I had to earn my place, take criticism, bomb on stage, and keep coming back. Like any business, there have also been financial obstacles, trying to find sponsors who believe in the mission, booking venues, and convincing people that a Veteran-focused comedy tour can make a real impact.
The biggest challenge, though, has been convincing people that laughter is more than entertainment. For many Veterans, laughter is connection. It’s healing. It’s the moment they realize they’re not alone.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change any of it. Every setback forced me to adapt, and every obstacle made the mission stronger. Today, Combat Zone 360 is more than a comedy organization—it’s proof that purpose can be rediscovered, even after you think you’ve lost it.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Today, I wear a lot of hats. I’m the Founder and CEO of Combat Zone 360, a Veteran-led nonprofit organization that uses comedy to bring Veterans together, reduce isolation, and strengthen the Veteran community. I’m also a stand-up comedian, producer, and a retired U.S. Army Combat Veteran with 21 years of service.
What we specialize in is creating comedy experiences that are bigger than entertainment. Through the United We Stand-Up Veteran Comedy Tour and our Operation LOL shows, we produce events at American Legions, VFWs, theaters, and comedy clubs that bring Veterans and civilians together through laughter. Every show is designed to build camaraderie, create meaningful connections, and support Veteran-focused initiatives.
I’m probably best known for combining military service with comedy in a way that’s authentic. I don’t just perform for Veterans—I serve alongside them again, only now the mission is different. Instead of leading Soldiers, I’m bringing Veterans together one laugh at a time. That mission has become the heart of everything we do at Combat Zone 360.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the stage time or the recognition. It’s seeing Veterans who may have walked into a show carrying stress, loneliness, or emotional weight leave smiling, laughing, and reconnecting with people around them. Knowing that we’ve created an environment where Veterans feel understood, welcomed, and valued is the greatest reward I could ask for.
I think what sets Combat Zone 360 apart is that our mission comes before the performance. Comedy is our vehicle, but service is our purpose. Every show is built around giving back to the Veteran community, creating opportunities for connection, and reminding Veterans that they still have a place, a purpose, and a community that cares about them. As a Veteran myself, I understand that transition doesn’t end when you leave the military. That’s why Combat Zone 360 isn’t just about telling jokes—it’s about continuing to serve in a different uniform.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that purpose doesn’t end when one chapter of your life does—it simply changes.
When I retired from the Army, I believed my best years of serving others were behind me. I struggled because my identity had been tied to wearing the uniform. It took years of searching through television, podcasting, and eventually comedy to realize that my purpose was never the uniform itself. My purpose was serving people.
I’ve also learned that setbacks are often redirects. Losing our television show during COVID felt devastating at the time, but if that hadn’t happened, I may never have found stand-up comedy or created the version of Combat Zone 360 that exists today. Some of life’s biggest disappointments end up becoming its greatest opportunities.
Finally, I’ve learned that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. By sharing my own struggles with depression, loss of purpose, and transition after the military, I’ve discovered that other Veterans are willing to open up about their own experiences. That’s where real connection begins.
Today, I believe leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about creating opportunities for others to feel seen, valued, and connected. If Combat Zone 360 can help one Veteran rediscover hope, purpose, or simply give them a reason to laugh again, then every obstacle along the journey has been worth it.
Pricing:
- Email at Combatzone360@gmail.com for pricing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://combatzone360.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/combatzone360
