Seventy-seven pages, countless hours, and teammates from across the globe — that’s what it
took for Lt. Noah Jager to help finalize a policy proposal on one of the world’s most sensitive
issues: the Taiwan Strait. As a Rotary Global Scholar studying peacebuilding at King’s College
London, Jager wasn’t just reading about diplomacy — he was practicing it. The process, he says,
taught him one of the hardest-earned lessons of his international experience: “Even amidst
differences, there is room for cooperation,” quoting Robert F. Kennedy.
Lt. Jager was the featured speaker at the Monday, Oct. 6 meeting of The Rotary Club of
Greensburg 3437, District 6580. As a Rotary Global Scholar, he represented Indiana’s three
Rotary districts — 6540, 6560, and 6580 — as the first-ever recipient of the all-Indiana Rotary
Global Scholarship.
A Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at
West Point, Jager is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in War Studies at King’s College
London. Upon completion of his degree, he will take command of a platoon in the 101st
Airborne Division, stationed in Georgia.
“As one of only a few Americans in my program, I was surrounded by students from all corners
of the world,” he said in his address to the Greensburg Rotarians. “They came from places like
Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Brazil, Ukraine, India, China, and Australia. I was introduced to many
cultures.”
His international experiences — from studying in the UK to reconnecting with distant relatives
in Ireland, and building policy bridges with classmates from across continents — led him to three
key lessons during his time abroad:
- Even in the midst of differences, there is room for cooperation.
As a military officer in training and a peace scholar, Jager saw firsthand how conflict and
collaboration often go hand-in-hand. Working across cultural and political divides taught him
that shared goals — and the Rotary mission — can overcome barriers. - Hope is all around us.
Despite political turmoil in many places, Jager says he was struck by the optimism and drive he
saw in Rotary members, classmates, and community leaders alike. “We’re all bonded by
Rotary’s mission,” he said. “Including hope in relationships.” - There is no hope without action.
To Jager, service is not just an idea — it’s a responsibility. Through both military and civilian
work, he believes lasting peace requires more than words. “Rotary is a beacon of hope,” he said.
“And hope must be followed by real engagement.”
Known affectionately as “Indiana Jones” by his peers — thanks to his constant Hoosier pride —
Jager brings hometown values with him wherever he goes. Those roots run deep: he graduated
from Bloomington High School South, where he helped lead the basketball team to a perfect 26
0 season, starred in school musicals like Guys and Dolls and Beauty and the Beast, and served as
executive morale officer in a student-led effort that raised over $165,000 for Riley Children’s
Hospital.
Looking ahead, Jager will serve at least five years on active duty and three years in the reserves.
He hopes to become a Foreign Area Officer, supporting peace and cooperation between nations.
Eventually, he plans to return to Indiana to practice law, serve in the National Guard, and may
consider an opportunity to serve in the political forum — continuing his commitment to public
service close to home.
“I’m proud to be an American,” he said, “but I’m also open to conversations. We need both pride
and humility if we’re going to foster peace — here at home and around the world
