During most job interviews I am often asked to talk a little bit about myself. Since, I never know where to begin, I often find myself beginning with the fact that I graduated high school at the age of 17, and then joined the United States Navy days afterward. It was certainly a time in my life that I will never forget, although I must admit that there are some days that I do, as I grow older, and as I look more towards the future.
As the story goes, I tell them, I left my hometown of Lubbock, TX two days after my high school graduation ceremony. The following night, before I left, I called as many people as possible to say my goodbyes. Like me, none of my old friends and family members knew I was going to be leaving as quickly as I did (It had been a total of only eight days from signing to being shipped off), but we all understood that I was off to begin adulthood.
The first few weeks I spent at the Naval Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, IL. were as to be expected. I was missing the comforts of home, my family, and my freedom. Yet, despite the fear and terror (and buyer's remorse) I just could not find it in my heart to go back home. I knew that deep down I lived for the experience and wanted to challenge myself to complete this mission.
My personal quest during bootcamp becomes altered when news arrives on the morning of September 11, 2001, from our Recruit Division Commanders who announce to us all that "... the North Tower at the World Trade Center has been hit by a plane." Some of my fellow recruits, specifically the ones from New York, begin to speak, despite being yelled at by the RDCs to be quiet. It was from this moment on that we realize that there was now a possibility that any of us could be shipped off to war immediately after we completed bootcamp. Even at a young age I understand what war is. I never joined the military out of a thirst for blood, but more so to heal, which is why I became a Hospital Corpsman when I joined the Navy. Regardless of my rate, I was still a military serviceman, therefore I was still trained to defend and kill.
As weeks went by, I recall saying goodbye to several other fellow recruits who were being discharged early. At a measly 117 pounds, I was in disbelief that some of the guys who were leaving were actually physically stronger than I. I was even more shocked to learn that once we reached the end of training only 63 out of the 94 who started in my division actually graduated from NRTC, including myself. Once I had proudly graduated from NRTC, I began to realize that facing a challenge like bootcamp came down to not only having just good physical strength, but also having great mental strength. It was about being able to balance my emotions and being able to push myself to not give up even when I felt that I had no motivation at times.
Since leaving the Navy, I took many opportunities to challenge myself to try many other things, like acting for film, television and stage. I then challenged myself to go back to school and received a bachelor's degree at the University of California, San Diego. I then found myself in the corporate world helping others get their degrees, as well. But the true accomplishment I must give myself credit for is having done these things after having survived a suicide attempt in the mid-2000's, and later being officially diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (through the Department of Veterans Affairs) ten years later. Despite the challenges my personal mental health has confronted through certain experiences, I do admit that I have no regrets. As a teen who grew up poorly, achieving all of these goals seemed improbable, but I was determined to make some changes. Wanting better for myself and my family was just enough motivation for me to pursue whatever dreams and goals I could fulfill. I am forever grateful that I can still live another day to tell the story of how I became my own individual. Mine is only a story that I only wish to tell to help motivate others to follow their hearts.
Near the end of my interview (I can see the interviewer holding in his yawn and checking the time, which is my cue to wrap up my story), I tell the interviewer that my main point of picking that specific story when someone asks me to tell them about myself, is to remind people, even myself, that our motivation is always there, but we have to be around the right people who will help us keep it alive. Whether it is working towards one common goal as a group or by individually providing others with your love, support and help, we must always do our parts to always lift each other's spirits.
I take pride in having served my country in a different way. If there was anything I learned from my experience 20 years ago, it is that motivation and mental strength go hand-in-hand. If you ever find yourself confronting challenges that seem impossible to conquer, just look to your faith for strength and for the right kinds of people who will help your spirit thrive!
Dedicated to all Veterans and their families.
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