My Military Career

I joined the United States Marine Corps back in August of 2001. Prior to that I ran the neighborhood chasing excitement and a bit of trouble. I had been shot twice prior to enlisting. I remember thinking, I needed a change in not just my environment but also the man I could foresee myself becoming.

It was during bootcamp when the devastation of September 11th, 2001 was briefed to us from our Commanding Officer. I thought, while sitting back straight and chin up; that this is it. We're all going to war. After bootcamp and my Military Occupational Training as a Military Police Officer, I landed on the shores of Iwakuni, Japan for my first duty station.

It was a wonderous new land to me full of beautiful people, amazing scenery, and delicious food. It was during that tour that I completing Special Reaction Team Training and made it to the rank of Corporal. It was also during these two years that I climbed Mount Fuji for the first time and had two beautiful children; Selena and Nikolas.

My next duty station from 2004 through 2006 was Marine Corps Air Station Miramar where I was assigned to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 373. We deployed to Iraq where I was assigned FOB (Forward Operations Base) Flightline security NCOI (Noncommissioned Officer In Charge) duties, working 16 hours a day for over 9 months. Amidst constant mortar attacks from enemy insurgents I suffered a knee injury but elected to stay in theater to complete my tour. Here, I was promoted to the Rank of Sergeant and re-enlisted for the first time. When our deployment had concluded I returned to Miramar and was tasked with Desk Sergeant duties for the Provost Marshals Office (Police Station), and concluded my time in California in March of 2006.

I returned to Iwakuni, Japan and was instantly assigned the role of Platoon Sargent for the Provost Marshals Office. I attended the Drug Abuse Resistance Education curriculum and became an instructor of D.A.R.E. in the local elementary school. I completed Sargent's Course (Military Leadership Training and Development), completed additional MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) schools including, Miliary Police Investigator and Physical Security. I climbed Mount Fuji 5 more times, reenlisted for another 4 years and had a son; Shawn.

In January of 2010 I arrived to my final duty station in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where I was assigned with the 2nd Law Enforcement Battalion and tasked to the 32nd Marine Expeditionary Unit. We conducted a large variety of pre-deployment prior to a 9 month "float" (Naval Tour) aboard the U.S.S. Ponce. Just prior I was married to my loving and supportive wife Normalyn (Lyn). During this deployment I visited over a dozen countries, completed a "Shell Back" indoctrination and completed my Associates Degree in General Studies.

After the deployment I concluded my military career still as a Sargent due to "service limitations" (Meaning you must be rank (x) by (y) years) in 2013. A year later I had a beautiful daughter, Abigail.

I explored a wide variety of jobs with customer service, factory, and retail before I opened up my resume in 2016 as I knew I was destined for something greater.