My journey began in 2009 in Kingsbridge, Bronx, NY when and where I enlisted. I had always wanted to serve my country since 1997, however, it was not in my immediate future back then. I was young, athletic, eager and smart, but when the recruiter saw these things in me, he recommended that I try something else. I did not recognize at that time that this was very unlike a typical recruiter.

I spent the final months of 1997 honing my craft in web design, development and related technology. However, there was still much to learn. I tried college, but they had nothing to teach me that I didn't already study. I felt it was a waste of my time. However, I didn't realize that there were other majors and other avenues to explore. Ultimately, what I wanted to learn, wasn't taught in college at the time, so I had to find a way to learn it. I worked at a bookstore during that period and studied every night on my computer. If I found a really advanced book I would use it to enhance my understanding. Later, I would find work in the fields that I studied, and that information can be found on my resume.
 
I spent many years achieving a great many things. Despite all of my achievements there was something missing. Something that I had not done that I wanted to do. Around the end of 2008 I made the decision to enlist.
I was 28 and I would soon be 29. I felt that if I didn't do it now, my body might not be in the shape necessary to handle the rigors of basic training. I did not maintain my body all of those years. Not as well as I should have.

... More to come ...