A veteran is going viral on TikTok after recounting how an Army recruiter allegedly misled him about where he’d be stationed.
Nolan Marsh (@livefromthebus) says he was told he’d be heading overseas to Belgium when he enlisted, though he doesn’t say whether that assignment was the deciding factor for him.
The story took a turn months later. During training, Marsh says he was informed his actual destination wasn’t Belgium at all—it was Layton, Oklahoma. He immediately Googled the town.
“So I looked up a YouTube video tour of Layton, Oklahoma, and the only video I see is a dashcam cell phone video,” he says, adding that the caption claimed Layton was a place where “dreams go to die.”
Once he arrived, Marsh says he went out for burritos one day and found himself surrounded by other soldiers. Then he spotted someone he never expected to see again. The very recruiter who told him he’d be sent to Belgium was also in Oklahoma.
“Here we are,” Marsh says in the clip. “Here we both are. Karma.” His video has now pulled in more than 1.2 million views.
How Does This Happen?
According to many other veterans who’ve shared their experiences online, recruiters aren’t obligated to show you where you’ll be stationed before you sign.
“Talk to a recruiter. They’ll promise almost anything,” one veteran in the r/Military subreddit shared.
The needs of the military drive assignments, the jobs you choose, and the openings that exist at the time. That’s why most recruits are told upfront that nothing is guaranteed.
There are a few exceptions, though. The Army’s Duty Station of Choice, often called Option 19, lets qualified applicants lock in their first duty station from a list of approved locations, as long as the Army needs their job there.
For everyone else, the process is far more rigid. Your first assignment usually isn’t negotiable. The needs of the service come first. That means recruiters can’t promise a specific spot, even if they hint at what’s “likely”—something Marsh seemingly found out the hard way.
So the real takeaway is simple. Standard enlistments don’t guarantee your first assignment. And anything that sounds like a promise should be backed up in writing. It’s also always worth asking about programs like Duty Station of Choice, which may give you some control over where you end up.
What’s Wrong With Lawton, Oklahoma?
Whether Lawton is actually “boring” is, of course, subjective. Some people who live there, currently or previously, have noted that the city feels slow and doesn’t offer much beyond the basics. Others like the quieter pace, outdoor access, and lower cost of living.
Plenty of critics say the problem is the lack of entertainment. They point out that many businesses have closed over the years, leaving empty storefronts and little new investment. Others describe the constant stream of fast food spots and car washes, which they say doesn’t help the perception that the city isn’t exactly brimming with energy.
But Lawton has its defenders. They say the nearby Wichita Mountains offer an outdoor escape. Plus, they seemingly enjoy the fact that buying everyday staples—such as gas and groceries—won’t drain your bank account. And for some, the slower pace is the appeal.
Army Members Share Their Varying Experiences
Viewers weighed in with a mix of sympathy, disbelief, and their own stories, ranging from longtime Lawton residents to soldiers who said they were misled in similar ways.
One person put it simply: “Watching this from Lawton is insane.”
Another chimed in with a far more colorful memory, saying, “I’m dying because I lived in Lawton for 2.5 years with my ex-husband, who was stationed there, and the whole 2.5 years I really thought I had died and was in purgatory,” adding that the wildlife refuge was the town’s lone bright spot.
A third commenter recalled a scene they couldn’t forget: “My favorite memory of Lawton is that one time I was at the Comanche casino, and I saw a woman on oxygen on a stretcher playing slots.”
Others zeroed in on the recruiting angle. They insist Marsh should’ve known better.
One person said, “First mistake, you believe your recruiter.”
Another responded with, “Wait just a minute…your recruiter lied to you?” And someone else noted they saw the twist coming: “The second you said the recruiter said you were going to be stationed in Belgium, I knew you were headed for [Fort] Sill.”
@livefromthebus That’s some military karma right there #military #army #fyp #veteran #storytime
BroBible has reached out to Marsh via a direct message on TikTok.