I took an oath.

I am a US Navy veteran and I swore, many years ago, to protect this Nation and its Constitution. Don’t worry this isn’t a political post but the story about one of the best decisions I made for myself.

I attempted the college life and that only lasted about a semester. I now understand I have some dyslexia and ADD tendencies and I never really enjoyed school. I felt something was calling me away from college and I don’t remember driving to the recruiters office, but I do recall walking through the front door.

It didn’t take much time for me to know this was the path I was meant to be on, once you know you’ve made the right decision, you feel it. So I held up my right hand and swore the oath and never looked back. Within a few months I was packed up and leaving home. I just knew my mom would cry the most when I was walking toward the bus but actually she was level headed about it, still trying to give me all the advice she could before I was out of earshot. But my dad and little sister were truly upset, my dad kept saying “I never thought you’d leave home”, and my sister was pissed that I was leaving her!! I mean she was mad!! “Who’s gonna look after me?” she’d say. “Who’s gonna keep dad off my back?”. It would be several years later before she stop reminding me that I left her.

Bootcamp was everything you’d expect and then some. I was in Orlando during the hottest summer months. If you want to lose weight then I recommend marching all day in the hot, humid air. I dropped so many pounds because all I could stomach in that heat was peanut butter sandwiches and apples. During graduation weekend all my dad wanted to do was buy me some junk food. ” Can I get you some hamburgers or a pizza?”

After graduation I was relocated to NAS Millington, Memphis TN. to attend the school for the job of Air Traffic Controller. Now I left college because of my lack of interest in school but here I was and I struggled, especially with the book side of the training, but I excelled in the labs and hands on training. I was a natural at being bossy and that’s mostly what ATC is…bossing pilots around. Negative Ghost rider, the pattern is full.

My first duty station was the beautiful Island of NAS Bermuda. Yes, you read that right, I was 19 years old and living in a tropical paradise. I enjoyed my time there and made lasting friendships. I had the best trainers and superiors who allowed me to learn as much as I could and this was where I truly blossomed.

My second duty station was NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville Fl. It was nicer being closer to home however I joined up to see the world, but it was my mom who demanded that I take these orders because she missed me so much. Now she shows the emotion I expected when I was leaving for boot camp.

The 5 years went by quickly and I was ready to start a new life on my own. I had learned and experienced everything I needed to be successful in my life as a civilian. I had gained the knowledge and certifications I needed to be an ATCS and that’s the job I currently do today, but what I learned about myself was the most valuable lesson.

Self reliance.

There was a real confidence boost once I knew I could depend and trust in myself to make the best decisions regarding my life. I was happy on my own and I never felt trapped in any relationships because I knew I didn’t have to stay. I would never have accomplished any of my successes if I had never learned to overcome the obstacles in my way, whether they were external or internal. I wanted the best for myself and to this day I’ve never settled for less.

I often wonder what life that shy, reserved girl of yesterday would be living today if she never took that bold decision and learned of her independent strength because I just don’t know.