It might have been the biggest mistake or the great hidden blessing for me. I enlisted in the U.S. Navy over 20 years ago this past June. Like many patriotic young men and women, I joined to defend the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic (and secure money for my college education).
During the course of my service I drove nuclear submarines, worked with the Navy SEALs, and completed countless hours of paperwork. The downside to this is I only learned much later in my career what I really wanted to do in the military at nearly the end of my time with the military. This is what the recruiters, classifiers, detailers and career counselors don’t tell you when you join: you can change your career field, but it won’t be easy.
Reality check
I had a Chief Warrant Officer in the Coast Guard Reserve who gave me a choice regarding my next 10 years in service. She saw that I wasn’t going anywhere fast and said it was time for me to choose if I was going to commit myself to advancing my career or leaving the service. I had been on the fence for a year or two and my career had gone nowhere fast.
Going home
I looked at my options with the Coast Guard and elsewhere. I decided to try and return to the Navy Reserve. Thankfully, I was able to return ‘home’ to the Navy without much pain.
Once I settled into my routine in the Navy, I began to look for a more challenging career field. I had been in office and personnel administration throughout my military time. I moved into the information technology field after leaving active duty and graduating from college. I thought I might want to do the same in the Reserve.
Training and Retraining
As I weighed my options, I chose a different field outside of my professional education. I began my retraining at the edge of my eligibility and almost wasn’t able to complete the course. Fortunately, I had the support of my unit leadership and the course chain of command fighting in my favor.
I’m now learning my new job and mentoring others on my experience. I’m helping them to avoid my mistakes. My mantra is, “Don’t be like me.”
20 more years
The latest challenge I’ve pursue is earning a commission in the Navy Reserve. I’m nearly finished with the process and I’m awaiting the national selection board results, due out in early October. If I’m commissioned as an Ensign, I start another 10 to 20 years service.
I look forward to serving the people of the United States and the members of the Navy in the future. I’m a classic case of career mismanagement who has been giving a choice to make amends for past mistakes. I took charge of my career and now I’m enjoying some of the best days in uniform I could have ever imagined.