We will not always be young...

I would like to take the time to write an article aimed at my young military population. I as many of you are now was once very young in the military and saw things differently, who needs college or this or that certification. I can stay here and do this well, let me share with you something that a good mentor of mine shared with me the Military in my case the Army is a terminal career meaning you can't stay forever because eventually everyone has to get out be it retirement, or you served your time and moved on or the one you paid the ultimate for your nation. No matter no one can stay forever.

So How do I prepare for the end of a four-year enlistment or a 20-30 career? You serve honorably and you make the best of it. You may ask how do I make the best of it, you decide to buckle down and start using that TA( tuition assistance) quit leaving that money on the table every year. There were far too many years I left that money on the table and acted like I could do it whenever I want. This is not a true statement TA is only there while you are in and if you use it properly you could come out with your Bachelors/Masters Degree with zero debt as well as some certifications, all because you took advantage of something that was there to better you for the military but to also help you in the future. It's great putting on that uniform and with it comes many privileges and many sacrifices as well. The greatest privilege is to serve others and to serve your nation's calling but also do some things that will serve your interest for promotions as well as your time after the military. Service Members do not wait until after your service to start pursuing your education do it while you are in and have a steady job and don't have as much going on. Take care of yourself and self-preserve for later it is imperative to do this. I didn't get it and I wrapped myself in the job and finally, I got it when I was on my third trip to Iraq when my wife told me to enroll or she was enrolling me in classes and that was the start of my journey towards my degree I finished my associates and learned a lot and said no more for me. On my Deployment to Afghanistan, my Support Operations (SPO SGM) Sergeant Major Keith Craig came out to see me at Camp Leatherneck and was checking on me, the normal questions are you doing PT (Physical Training) are you ok and some other things then he asked the hard question are you going to school? I said no, he then proceeded to ask me about my education level and I told him I had an associate degree which I knew wasn't much, he asked me if I could tell you how to have your Bachelors in two years what would you say? I replied asking him to share, he told me about Excelsior College, and almost two years to the day I had my bachelor's degree without going into debt or spending a great deal of money. He shared with me how and motivated me to excel to do more that would help me later. Did he say anything different than my wife did? NO, he did not but he reached me and helped me to see I wouldn't always have these benefits and advantages, and just like I fight for my country is how I need to fight to make myself better.

I say this out of love for you, "You will not always be young and all that is available to you now, will not always be there, use those resources and get your own training plan in for you that will open doors for you during your time in the military as well as after. Don't waste your youth and let these great opportunities pass you by. Don't waste your Friday nights just going out running around invest in yourself and do something that will last and make you a better Service Member and person, believe me, if you do this you will thank me later. I knew too many great Non-Commissioned Officers that gave their all and their life's blood for the mission but never took care of their self here don't let this be you, go to your education center and go online and get those classes in you will thank me later! This is one thing that has helped me in my life after the military because it can't be taken away like the titles and the rank it always stays with you.