military

I signed up to join the United States Navy on 05 February 1988 in Killeen,
Texas. I went to the Dallas, Texas Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
and enlisted on 13 March 1988. I was an Operations Specialist for Fifteen and
a half years and was medically discharged as an Operations Specialist First Class
(Surface Warfare) on 29 August 2003. While in the Navy I had the privilege of
meeting and working with some of the finest people in the United State Military. I
hope I influenced a few to do the best that they could in any situation they find
themselves in. I served in some very rewarding billets and would not change my
career path in any way, except I would have preferred to remain on active duty
and retire at my twenty year mark. The entire time I was in the military, I helped
numerous people build a variety of things from complete home remodels to
shelving to shadow boxes.

My tours of duty included:

Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL from March 1988 to May 1988. I
served as the Educational Petty Officer (EPO) for my class and helped everyone
study for upcoming tests.

Operations Specialist "A" School, Dam Neck, VA from May 1988 to
September 1988. I graduated as the Honor Graduate of my class.

USS Wisconsin (BB-64) (homeported in Pascagoula, MS and Norfolk, VA)
from September 1988 to October 1991. While on the "Whisky", we participated
in Combat Action against Iraq in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert
Storm. Wisconsin allowed me the opportunity to attend Anti-Submarine Air
Controller school prior to decommissioning. I graduated the school as Honor
Graduate in September 1991 earning Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) 0321
(ASAC).

USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG-29) (homeported in Mayport, FL and
Pascagoula, MS) from November 1991 to December 1993. While on "Stevie
G", we deployed to the Red Sea in support of Operation Desert Storm.

Enlisted Personnel Management Center (EPMAC) in New Orleans, LA from
December 1993 to December 1997. While at EPMAC, I ensured that all Mine
Warfare Command in the Navy were manned with all the personnel they needed
to conduct their operations. My manning levels were consistently rated at 95
percent and higher.

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Center, Norfolk, VA from January 1997 to
March 1997. I attended Anti-Submarine Tactical Air Controller School earning
NEC 0324 (ASTAC).

USS Yorktown (CG-48) (homeported in Pascagoula, MS) from March 1997 to
June 2001. While on Yorktown, I deployed to the Caribbean three times in
support of Counter Drug Operations (CD Ops).

Shore Intermediate Maintenance Activity (SIMA) Pascagoula, MS from June
2001 to August 2003. While at SIMA, I served as the Division Officer for the
limited duty (Medical Hold) division, the Facility Manager and the First
Lieutenant. I manufactured over 750 Command Plaques while I was stationed
there.

My Military Awards include:

Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Three Awards)
Combat Action Ribbon
Joint Meritorious Unit Award
Navy/Marine Corps Unit Commendation
Navy Battle "E" Ribbon (Three Awards)
Navy Good Conduct Medal (Four Awards)
National Defense Medal (Two Awards)
Southwest Asia Service Medal (Three Awards)
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Navy/Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (Five Awards)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Saudi Arabia)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (Government of Kuwait)
Navy Expert Rifleman Award (Two Awards)
Navy Expert Pistol Award
Navy Marksman Pistol Award
As well as numerous Letters of Commendation/Appreciation