United States Air Force
When most parents were paying for their kids to get through college, I was being trained by the federal government to do America's business. I learned core values like Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. Integrity means making the right decisions even if nobody else is looking. Service Before Self means leaving my home thousands of miles behind and accepting that the mission comes first. Excellence in all We Do means that I give 100% to each and every task I perform.
I was given a secret security clearance and trusted with national security. I was given a great responsibility to support my Airman in combat. I graduated as a Munitions Systems Apprentice during December of 2000 and became a member of a team that was much larger than myself. This force is one of the most powerful forces in the world and protects freedom 24 hours a day. It is so secret that many people don't even realize that it works except during time of war. Nothing could be further from the truth.
During December 2002 the nation called me to support Operation Iraqi Freedom when Saddam was thought to have stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons. I spent 6 months supporting the mission in Kuwait working as a team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I slept in the same room as those I worked with and woke to the sounds of sirens and the threat of chemical weapons donning my mask and protective gear.
My work ethic and character has been built up and developed by one of the most powerful organizations in the world. One that recieves some of the highest amounts of funding that our country can afford. I take pride in being a veteran and in serving our country's needs, but most importantly I got to be a part of something larger than myself.
