My 12th grade Creative Writing teacher used the title of this blog as her mantra. I believe now that she was merely trying to convince me to stop writing war stories. After all, what does a 17year old pimple-faced geek know about war? Only what he reads in history books, magazines and comics. Today, I realize that you don't need to experience something to write about it; you can always research the topic, but her words motivated me.
At age 17, I wrote a list of goals that I wanted to accomplish in my life. My list included acquiring a Bachelor's degree, receiving a commission in the military, buying my own home before I was 30 years old, getting married sometime after age 30 and finding a lucrative career in a field I enjoy. I have achieved four of those goals. I was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army (Reserve) at age 23; I received a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science at age 25, I bought a house when I was 29 and I was married at age 39.
Ms. Adler's words in 1982 sent me packing into the United States Army at age 18. My military career spanned three years on active duty and 18 in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. You can read about one of my experiences as a Platoon Leader in Canada on Gunther Zimmerman's blog. I've been in numerous fire fights with blank ammunition and provided gallons of blood, sweat and tears while in uniform.
Besides serving as Platoon Leader, I was a Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Battalion Personnel Officer, Battalion Supply and Logistics Officer, Battalion Signal Officer, Brigade assistant Supply Officer, Brigade Operations Officer and Division Battle Captain (G3 - Current Operations). It was a lot of fun. It was hard work. I gained invaluable experience and I would never trade it for anything in the world. My experiences in the military are some of the best in my life.
In the civilian world, I spent roughly 12 years as a Reserve Police Officer; I worked three years in financial Services, I spent...
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