HOPES AND DREAMS

Hopes and Dreams:
My hopes and dreams have evolved as I have aged. Certain aspects of life changed my views. Maturity, the desire to be at my best, being injured and wanting a family have all factored in this evolutions.
As a teen, I obtained a job in the culinary department at a private college with my best friend. This was the start of my first aspiration to be something. I quickly became interested and developed a passion for the culinary arts. I enjoyed taking my time to create something from scratch and turning it into something amazing that others loved to enjoy. I craved the compliments on my quick learning and the ability to make great tasting food. For the first time it was something that could keep my attention, and relieve stress of life. It was rewarding and made me feel accomplished. I stayed at the college through most of high school. Sadly I was let go for dating students, as employees were not allowed to students. I never agreed with it but I thought I could not fight the head chef on this. I went back to painting which is the family business.
Painting was something that I also enjoyed but knew it was not where I wanted to be or what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. My father raised 10 of us with this career. Two of my older brothers also have their own painting companies. I knew it was a hard life but my father (who was my step father) started teaching me at the age twelve how to paint. Our relationship was never really good. Alcohol was his biggest problem and it caused multiple other problems such as verbal and physical abuse. Now, since I’ve grown older, things have changed. He has, in some ways changed. I can see that he is proud of me when people compliment regarding the fast quality work I produce. He would never say it to me directly, however I would sometimes over hear conversations on job sites. He saw I was getting comfortable and reminded me of the hard life it is.
A military career had intrigued me through high school and after. I was 20 years old when I began to think seriously that I needed a career and to get out of this small town. I wanted to make something of myself.
I am the second to youngest of 10 kids. No one had been to college. No one had ever been in the military. Only one other had completed high school. I started going to the recruiting station constantly but never could catch the Air force recruiter in his office. I went to the recruiting station multiple times, attempting to catch the Air Force recruiter in his office. Eventually, I’m approached by a gentleman in a sharp-looking uniform, who is not the Air Force recruiter. In my opinion, his uniform is better looking than the other uniforms I’ve seen. I am curious. I was practically ready to sign just for uniform. To my surprise, in speaking with him I find that he is a United States Marine. My first thoughts were, “Oh, man, these guys are certified bad asses. I am not sure if I can do that.” He was a smooth talker and he gave it to me straight. Convinced it was the hardest thing I would ever do, but knowing I would earn that title, I signed.
September 11, 2001 was a day that changed the world. Slightly more than a year later, November 18, 2002, my first day at boot camp changed my life. It was everything the recruiter said. It was a culture shock, physically challenging, but most of all mainly mental.
The Marines became a lifestyle. I grew to love the travel and friendships. As I moved up the ladder in rank and the years went by, my love for The Corps grew stronger. It was became clear that this was where I belonged and I was going for my 20 years. I enjoyed taking care of my Marines, traveling to other countries and being a leader. I also knew that I am a very family oriented person and when the time came to settle it was going to make it hard. Oddly enough at my 12 year mark and re-enlistment time I injured my right forearm badly. My contract ended and they put me on an extension to go on a medical board.
During this time I met my soon-to-be wife, Meagan, and stepson, Jaxon. We walked into each other’s lives at the perfect time. We tried to start slow since Jaxon was only 6 months old. The fact that she was a single Mom often made dating difficult. We quickly found support in one another that we needed. I became Jaxon’s father figure, as his biological father is largely absentee. Meagan supported me in with my career coming to an end. Two years later the board finalized my case and my career ended on Jun 30th of 2014.
Things within my control, as well as events beyond my control have influenced my current hopes and dreams for the future. With the injury to my dominant arm, I’ve had to figure out something to do to support my family. I did some testing through the Veteran Affairs. The tests determine careers and skills for which I have an aptitude and interest. From the compiled list, I made a decision as to what I would like to do. I decided to get a bachelor’s degree for management information services.
Once I’ve finished my degree, I hope to obtain a job in the area that has opportunities for further growth and advancement. I want to be the father to Jaxon and Elijah (due to arrive around January 4th), that I never had growing up. There will always be room for improvement and I continue to strive for better for all of us as a family. My aspirations for the future are to give my family a better life than I had to and to impart good morals and standards to my children, teaching them responsibility and raising them to be productive members of society.