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Endeavor · 06-05-2017, 16:50

First, I would like to thank Maj. Martin and MSG. Dodson for writing Get Selected, and leading me to this awesome forum. Second, I'd like to thank all of the Quiet Professionals (and other military members on this forum) for their service.

I enlisted with the Army Reserve in 2016 as a 92W at 26 years old. I'm a single dad with full custody of my 4 year old son. I am unmarried, thank God, but I am fortunate enough to have a very supportive family helping me raise my son. I am currently pursuing a BA in Cybersecurity and ROTC at my local college.

Prior to enlisting, I had very little idea or interest in Special Operations or Special Forces. Sadly, no one in my immediate family is prior service. I was clueless and, to be honest, I joined the Army Reserve to reap the benefits of a military retirement and because I knew a few guys that did it which made me think "It can't be that bad if HE did it." I'm actually embarrassed to confess that my attitude was pretty terrible. Sure enough, I got what I deserved because there were a few times I was humbled in BCT. I wasn't an athlete in high school and years of soft living really bit me in the ass in BCT.

When I first got to AIT, I couldn't find a whole lot of motivation. I wasn't a PT failure or a problem for the Cadre but goddamn, I hated it. I was 26 with a bunch of 18-20 year olds who seemed to think I was a prick because I didn't join in their shenanigans. So without much social interaction there, I went to the book store and picked up a few books that I thought might be interesting and ended up reading about guys like Gary O'Neal and Col. Nick Rowe. It really sparked my motivation and humbled me at the same time to read about what some of the SF Community has gone through just to do their jobs. Not only that, it completely changed my perspective on what it means to be a soldier in the United States Army. I know that no matter how boring or mundane or stressful things seem to be wherever I'm at, there's a guy in an ODA or in the 75th that's putting his life on the line. And when he's not doing that, he's busting his ass training to do that.

Needless to say, I'm on this forum because old age is creeping up on me and before I die, I want to perform well and I want to contribute to that kind of team. I'm here to find a mentor.

06-05-2017, 16:50	#2313
Endeavor Asset Join Date: May 2017 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 6	Introduction First, I would like to thank Maj. Martin and MSG. Dodson for writing Get Selected, and leading me to this awesome forum. Second, I'd like to thank all of the Quiet Professionals (and other military members on this forum) for their service. I enlisted with the Army Reserve in 2016 as a 92W at 26 years old. I'm a single dad with full custody of my 4 year old son. I am unmarried, thank God, but I am fortunate enough to have a very supportive family helping me raise my son. I am currently pursuing a BA in Cybersecurity and ROTC at my local college. Prior to enlisting, I had very little idea or interest in Special Operations or Special Forces. Sadly, no one in my immediate family is prior service. I was clueless and, to be honest, I joined the Army Reserve to reap the benefits of a military retirement and because I knew a few guys that did it which made me think "It can't be that bad if HE did it." I'm actually embarrassed to confess that my attitude was pretty terrible. Sure enough, I got what I deserved because there were a few times I was humbled in BCT. I wasn't an athlete in high school and years of soft living really bit me in the ass in BCT. When I first got to AIT, I couldn't find a whole lot of motivation. I wasn't a PT failure or a problem for the Cadre but goddamn, I hated it. I was 26 with a bunch of 18-20 year olds who seemed to think I was a prick because I didn't join in their shenanigans. So without much social interaction there, I went to the book store and picked up a few books that I thought might be interesting and ended up reading about guys like Gary O'Neal and Col. Nick Rowe. It really sparked my motivation and humbled me at the same time to read about what some of the SF Community has gone through just to do their jobs. Not only that, it completely changed my perspective on what it means to be a soldier in the United States Army. I know that no matter how boring or mundane or stressful things seem to be wherever I'm at, there's a guy in an ODA or in the 75th that's putting his life on the line. And when he's not doing that, he's busting his ass training to do that. Needless to say, I'm on this forum because old age is creeping up on me and before I die, I want to perform well and I want to contribute to that kind of team. I'm here to find a mentor.
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