I've been doing some thinking.
I'm going to be a civilian soon. After over 10 years of military service, I'm going to hang up burn and piss on the ashes of retire my uniforms and start a brand new era in my life.
I've spent a third of my life in uniform, so it's hard to think of myself as anything different, even if I've spent many a night dreaming of it. As much as I hated the experience, it wasn't all bad. I mean, I met some really awesome people here, and I managed to climb out of a very deep hole of debt. My car is mine, free and clear, and my bike is very close to the same. My student loan is almost gone. I've built up an anime and manga library that is the envy of many a fanboy/girl. Same with my video game library. I've got medical coverage for my family that would've cost a lot if I wasn't military. To be honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I was unfairly screwed out of my advancement and locked out of trying to advance again until I would only get one chance before being forced to separate, I might've stayed in for the full 20 years. However, you can only screw with someone so much before that person will refuse to take it anymore. That and the wifey doesn't want me to stay in, either. Of course, she'd let me if I really wanted to since she's supportive like that, but I don't, so this makes her happy as well. Besides, I've got kids now and I've only seen them for about a month out of the 1.5 years they've been alive. My girls need their dad.
But, what am I going to do when I get out? I've considered becoming a Navy-employed civilian (GS paygrade), since I've already got experience in the Navy and with Naval networks. Hopefully, I can find something in San Diego so I don't have to move any more than I have to. I mean, I'd love to go back to Albuquerque, but Naval presence over there is pretty much nil. Air Force, yes. Navy, not so much.
There are a few things I think I'd want to try once I'm out. I think I might try to finally write a novel and get published. Maybe I'd try a NaNoWriMo novella first to see if I can actually write something publish-worthy, before trying the real thing. I've got an idea in my head for the full novel that I've been fleshing out during random times when my mind wanders, but it's far from complete. Unlike my fanfiction, this would be something I'd write only after writing an extensive amount of notes for first. I mean, if I'm going to write something people are gonna pay money for, I should make sure it's of a professional quality. Right? Right.
Hmph. I didn't really mean for this post to be all heavy and whatever. Ah, whatever. I'm gonna go play the new Professor Layton game. Did I mention how awesome my gold Zelda Triforce DS Lite is? I mean, come on, LOOK AT IT:
ENVY ME!!! ALL SHALL ENVY ME!!!
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, I'm off. Later.
I've spent a third of my life in uniform, so it's hard to think of myself as anything different, even if I've spent many a night dreaming of it. As much as I hated the experience, it wasn't all bad. I mean, I met some really awesome people here, and I managed to climb out of a very deep hole of debt. My car is mine, free and clear, and my bike is very close to the same. My student loan is almost gone. I've built up an anime and manga library that is the envy of many a fanboy/girl. Same with my video game library. I've got medical coverage for my family that would've cost a lot if I wasn't military. To be honest, if it wasn't for the fact that I was unfairly screwed out of my advancement and locked out of trying to advance again until I would only get one chance before being forced to separate, I might've stayed in for the full 20 years. However, you can only screw with someone so much before that person will refuse to take it anymore. That and the wifey doesn't want me to stay in, either. Of course, she'd let me if I really wanted to since she's supportive like that, but I don't, so this makes her happy as well. Besides, I've got kids now and I've only seen them for about a month out of the 1.5 years they've been alive. My girls need their dad.
But, what am I going to do when I get out? I've considered becoming a Navy-employed civilian (GS paygrade), since I've already got experience in the Navy and with Naval networks. Hopefully, I can find something in San Diego so I don't have to move any more than I have to. I mean, I'd love to go back to Albuquerque, but Naval presence over there is pretty much nil. Air Force, yes. Navy, not so much.
There are a few things I think I'd want to try once I'm out. I think I might try to finally write a novel and get published. Maybe I'd try a NaNoWriMo novella first to see if I can actually write something publish-worthy, before trying the real thing. I've got an idea in my head for the full novel that I've been fleshing out during random times when my mind wanders, but it's far from complete. Unlike my fanfiction, this would be something I'd write only after writing an extensive amount of notes for first. I mean, if I'm going to write something people are gonna pay money for, I should make sure it's of a professional quality. Right? Right.
Hmph. I didn't really mean for this post to be all heavy and whatever. Ah, whatever. I'm gonna go play the new Professor Layton game. Did I mention how awesome my gold Zelda Triforce DS Lite is? I mean, come on, LOOK AT IT:
ENVY ME!!! ALL SHALL ENVY ME!!!
Okay, now that I've got that out of my system, I'm off. Later.