bqmassey
Line Up and Wait
For as long as I can remember, I've had the same two very strong passions. Even as I child, I knew I wanted both of these to be a permanent part of my life. These two passions are aviation and military service. Logically, my ultimate dream was to be a military pilot.
Those of you who have met me in person have noticed that I've got a "lazy eye". This is due to having a blind spot in my right eye (scarred retina). I see fine with both eyes open (20/20 and better than average field-of-view due to an XT of approx 40 degrees). The blind spot only shows up when I close my "good" eye, and I still have peripheral vision in my bad eye.
Anyways, I found out in high school when I started the packet for the Air Force Academy that there was absolutely no way I'd be able to fly in the military. Naturally I was disappointed, but I decided that I'd be content serving in the military on the ground if I could fly in my civilian life.
At that point I started talking to active duty recruiters. I soon discovered that my chances of getting into the military, even as a foot soldier, were extremely bad. My chances were so bad that recruiters that knew about my eye would ignore my calls. I couldn't even find a recruiter willing to help me attempt a waiver.
This started a cycle that has lasted six years. I'd talk to a recruiter. He'd tell me it'd be a waste of his time. I'd tell him ok, and leave disappointed. After a few months, I'd get the feeling that I haven't done every thing I can do to try to get in. I'd develop an urge to know for sure, to be officially denied. I needed closure. So, I'd find another recruiter, and the cycle would start all over.
As I said, this has gone on for six years. In college, I participated in Army ROTC. I loved it, but even the cadre there didn't have faith in my being able to qualify. So, I quit school, and went to work, trying hard to focus my efforts on becoming a civilian pilot.
Well, the "the cycle" I'm talking about is officially over. It took my six years, but I finally found a recruiter that cared enough about my desire to serve to help me with the waiver process, despite knowing there was practically no chance that I'd get it. I'm extremely grateful for the effort he put forth (he's spent countless hours taking me to MEPS, to eye doctors, etc). He's a truly great guy.
Anyways, the reason I'm telling you folks all of this is because I want y'all to know that starting February 3rd, I won't be online for quite a while, as I'll be in training for the U.S. Army. We pulled off a miracle, and I was granted a waiver. My recruiter, his boss, and all of his colleagues at the recruiting station are absolutely astonished. People have been turned away for much less.
I'm extremely excited. I can't qualify for any of the combat-oriented jobs that I wanted, but I was able to score one of the more interesting non-combat jobs, 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator). It's seems to be in high demand, and many soldiers won't qualify (have to be be eligible for a security clearance, and score well on the ASVAB , so it came with a very nice $28,000 signing bonus.
All of this will push my flying back a little. But when I do have the time to fly, I'll be in a much better position to do so. I'll be able to use my bonus for my PPL-H, and the GI Bill will pay for the rest of the ratings at a Part 141 school.
I'll miss lurking around POA while I'm in Basic Training and AIT (another 9 months). It'll be about a year before I'm done with all of my training and head off to my first duty station, so you won't see much of me in 2009, but when I'm done with that, I'll be back... a freshly minted soldier.
To anyone I don't talk to before I ship, good luck in '09!
Fly safe.
Those of you who have met me in person have noticed that I've got a "lazy eye". This is due to having a blind spot in my right eye (scarred retina). I see fine with both eyes open (20/20 and better than average field-of-view due to an XT of approx 40 degrees). The blind spot only shows up when I close my "good" eye, and I still have peripheral vision in my bad eye.
Anyways, I found out in high school when I started the packet for the Air Force Academy that there was absolutely no way I'd be able to fly in the military. Naturally I was disappointed, but I decided that I'd be content serving in the military on the ground if I could fly in my civilian life.
At that point I started talking to active duty recruiters. I soon discovered that my chances of getting into the military, even as a foot soldier, were extremely bad. My chances were so bad that recruiters that knew about my eye would ignore my calls. I couldn't even find a recruiter willing to help me attempt a waiver.
This started a cycle that has lasted six years. I'd talk to a recruiter. He'd tell me it'd be a waste of his time. I'd tell him ok, and leave disappointed. After a few months, I'd get the feeling that I haven't done every thing I can do to try to get in. I'd develop an urge to know for sure, to be officially denied. I needed closure. So, I'd find another recruiter, and the cycle would start all over.
As I said, this has gone on for six years. In college, I participated in Army ROTC. I loved it, but even the cadre there didn't have faith in my being able to qualify. So, I quit school, and went to work, trying hard to focus my efforts on becoming a civilian pilot.
Well, the "the cycle" I'm talking about is officially over. It took my six years, but I finally found a recruiter that cared enough about my desire to serve to help me with the waiver process, despite knowing there was practically no chance that I'd get it. I'm extremely grateful for the effort he put forth (he's spent countless hours taking me to MEPS, to eye doctors, etc). He's a truly great guy.
Anyways, the reason I'm telling you folks all of this is because I want y'all to know that starting February 3rd, I won't be online for quite a while, as I'll be in training for the U.S. Army. We pulled off a miracle, and I was granted a waiver. My recruiter, his boss, and all of his colleagues at the recruiting station are absolutely astonished. People have been turned away for much less.
I'm extremely excited. I can't qualify for any of the combat-oriented jobs that I wanted, but I was able to score one of the more interesting non-combat jobs, 25S (Satellite Communication Systems Operator). It's seems to be in high demand, and many soldiers won't qualify (have to be be eligible for a security clearance, and score well on the ASVAB , so it came with a very nice $28,000 signing bonus.
All of this will push my flying back a little. But when I do have the time to fly, I'll be in a much better position to do so. I'll be able to use my bonus for my PPL-H, and the GI Bill will pay for the rest of the ratings at a Part 141 school.
I'll miss lurking around POA while I'm in Basic Training and AIT (another 9 months). It'll be about a year before I'm done with all of my training and head off to my first duty station, so you won't see much of me in 2009, but when I'm done with that, I'll be back... a freshly minted soldier.
To anyone I don't talk to before I ship, good luck in '09!
Fly safe.
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