I graduated high school in 1976 and tried community college for almost a year. I was still living at home and working at a full service station. Community college was like 13th grade, and I yearned for something different. Growing up in western Michigan, I enjoyed being outside in the snow, but having to drive in it to work got to be tedious. Army recruiters called me after I took the ASVAB at school, but I was not interested.

One cold winter day, I saw a Navy recruiter walking around in the local mall. He was talking to some guys from a different school. I liked his cut appearance and approached him. He was a hull technician second class. I don't recall his name. He spoke of the deployments he had been on. I grew up near Lake Michigan and we always had a boat. He talked me into taking the ASVAB again and tried to sell me a six-year program with rapid advancement. I was leery about doing six years and wanted to stay with just four in case I didn't want to stay.

I chose the Navy for the opportunity to travel and learn a skill I could use in civilian life. I did 20 years and had fun. I met a lot of interesting people and would do it over again.