About nine years ago during the summer, I was working three jobs as a daycare teacher, a stocker at Food Lion and a waiter in a Japanese Hibachi Restaurant saving money for the upcoming days in college. After about two weeks, I discovered I was in over my head with the jobs I had and decided to cut it back to two. Around August, I went to college and began as a major in history, but something about all that was a huge learning experience. I had never dated a girl (much less knew how to talk to them), I had literally no money and I had no idea what I was going to do except that I thought that's what life was... going through the motions. I had plenty of acquaintences and a handful of good friends who constantly helped me out time and time again. College was some of the best times of my life, but while I had those great times, I lost my way in the middle of it all... or did I?

One thing I did learn was that I never had control over anything.

Four years later and a final series of incompletes and some failing grades due to a lot of financial struggles and lack of discipline, I had realized I had lost my way and decided I needed a drastic change.

Thinking out loud while visiting my father, I had asked him about joining the Marine Corps.

"I loved my time as a Marine," my father said. "But to tell you the truth, son, that's not the life I had envisioned for you. I've seen a lot of things in my time as a Marine, and any one of those events will change the way you see the world and not always for the better."

"I could use the money for college, and maybe that kind of change is what I need, Dad," I replied.

"Alright then, I can see where you're coming from, but I will warn you, if you serve your country as a Marine, Soldier, or what have you, your eyes will be open, but you will lose your innocence in the process."

I've never known anyone as wise and aware as my father was. I was blessed when he came into the time my life where I needed a father. Something about the way he said things scared and facinated me at the same time.

I decided to join the Army.

Everything he warned me about came true.

Today, I have a beautiful wife and doctor named Lauren, whom I met on a paintball field. I've excelled as an NCO and made my Staff Sergeant in 4 years, and now we're talking about children. But I could not have appreciated those things without having seen the face of war.

I'm on my second tour and I would have never felt blessed the way I do now if I had not experienced some of the tougher things I've faced these past 4 years now. Now, I'm asked if I should prolong my service to country, or should I take what I have and go...

I'm content. I can be at peace having what I have now and just live. Now, I'm at this point where I the options are open again just like they were 9 years ago

[Edited on June 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM. Reason : too soon]

6/20/2009 11:34:34 AM

wait wait wait...

Your Dad was in the Marines...and you joined the Army?

6/20/2009 11:49:57 AM

What can I say? I chose... wisely.

6/20/2009 12:07:04 PM

i thought this was going to be an exciting story about going to Best Buy then stopping by Cold Stone for some ice cream, and maybe catching a movie.

6/20/2009 12:31:54 PM

your wife is a doctor and you're still working?

6/20/2009 12:49:33 PM

My dad was a marine and both my brothers joined the air force.

6/20/2009 12:54:34 PM

Quote :

"Everything he warned me about came true. "

Details plz

6/20/2009 12:58:33 PM

the economy sucks and many corporations have a hard time understanding military experience and how it translates to their business. either stay in with a secure job or join the reserves for the supplemental income and slightly bigger pension

6/20/2009 1:13:04 PM

I thought this thread was about a shopping center

6/20/2009 5:25:37 PM

Shawna, why didnt you join?

6/20/2009 5:39:59 PM

when I was young I thought I was too good for that. Now that I'm older, it's just because I'm fat and lazy.

6/20/2009 5:41:08 PM

it is not to late...join the Marines!

6/20/2009 5:47:16 PM

i once asked apocalypse's dad what he thought about his son joining the army.
his response: if he wanted a badge, he should have joined the fucking girl scouts.
hope your old man is doing well, stay safe apoc

[Edited on June 20, 2009 at 11:59 PM. Reason : oh, and also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0QKbnCDW94]

6/20/2009 11:57:01 PM

Quote :

"i thought this was going to be an exciting story about going to Best Buy then stopping by Cold Stone for some ice cream, and maybe catching a movie."

The real story seemed heart felt, but a little truncated at the end. I guess that's what makes it a crossroads.

6/21/2009 1:18:54 AM

Quote :

"i thought this was going to be an exciting story about going to Best Buy then stopping by Cold Stone for some ice cream, and maybe catching a movie."

Me too

6/21/2009 4:43:55 AM

Quote :

"i once asked apocalypse's dad what he thought about his son joining the army. his response: if he wanted a badge, he should have joined the fucking girl scouts. hope your old man is doing well, stay safe apoc "

hahahahahhahahaha, I remember that! Dude he was hilarious...

6/21/2009 8:35:42 AM

is there a point to this or just your life story?

6/21/2009 9:19:41 AM

yeah there's a point...

see below

Quote :

"if in one year from now - or maybe sooner - let's say 3 months - if in that time...today will only be a memory and nothing more - it's safe to assume that you won't remember everyday, and in fact you won't remember MOST days - so on those days...the day is trivial and means nothing in a given time - you can assume we are excluding the exceptions (i.e. the days you will always remember) - therefore should you give a shit about the trivial days? should you try to make every day memorable in it's own way? should you just live and not think about it?"

6/21/2009 9:33:24 AM

if you are ex military, just work for a defense contractor.

6/21/2009 1:20:20 PM

since you mentioned kids,

i dont like the idea of kids & daddy at war. i know there are many many families who make this sacrifice and im thankful, but i couldnt do it.

just a thought

6/21/2009 1:43:38 PM

bone thugs?

6/21/2009 1:52:41 PM

so you're saying you joined the army to find a rich girl to marry. Kinda like how girls go to college to marry a potentially rich guy.

6/21/2009 1:53:42 PM

How about, go back to school.....and return as a commisioned officer, if you want to make a career of this.


But really, your wifey is a doc. You can do whatever--you can be a teacher if you want, it's not like the pay matters. ................

6/21/2009 2:12:16 PM

Go back to Iraq as a contractor.....

not all docs make tons of money...depends on what field....she could of got her doctorate in english for all we know...



[Edited on June 21, 2009 at 2:14 PM. Reason : w]

6/21/2009 2:12:58 PM

we're not even sure that his wife and his doctor are the same person, the way it's worded.

6/21/2009 2:19:48 PM

Jealous sylvershadow? It's alright, I don't blame you

I'm still working because I believe in earning my keep. I don't touch her VERY hard-earned money and we split all the bills down right to the middle, and she fought me on these very points.

You know when we first got married, I lived frugal and she was used to the finer things. I was always in a rush to save every penny I have to make sure she got those finer things. She's seen me at my worst, therefore, she deserves my best and that was enough for her unlike other girls I've dated before her, and nothing was ever enough.

Now when she wants me to do a 13 mile run with her for a half-marathon, there is a bit of a disagreement on that one... mostly because she beats the hell out of me every time. On her side of the trophy case is all first-place trophies stacked to a point where I can't ever catch up. I have a second place mug on my side... But I make the effort, and she's good with that much.

[Edited on June 21, 2009 at 4:14 PM. Reason : sorry on the clarity issue. My wife is a doctor.]

6/21/2009 4:13:23 PM

Damn man I miss my Uncle Charles y'all

but seriously, that was a cool read and I'm glad everything's worked out so well for you. if you want the advice of people who know nothing more about the situation than what you've said here (and I would assume so 'cuz you made the thread) imho you should gather up your winnings and leave the table. your kids/wife don't want a father who'll be out of the country for long periods of time, and it would really suck if your number came up on the battlefield, especially after you've gone through so much to get to the good place that you are.

6/22/2009 12:30:16 AM