I am in the United States Navy, and I live on an aircraft carrier. I have many mixed positive reactions towards the people and the organization. My enlistment was based on pragmatic thinking not of an idealistic nature. While there are moments that I wish I could go UA, I don't ever actually think that breaking my contract would put me in a better position. The navy has given me a better foothold on life. Unless I get some fantastic port calls and convert to a better rating, I'm leaving after my 4-year enlistment and taking advantage of the post-9/11 G.I. Bill and going to college full-time.

I thought about joining the military for about a year, enlisted into DEP, and finally shipped out to bootcamp after six months. I could have said no and never shipped out during those 18 months, but keeping firm to my commitment and believing that this is what I want to do was the biggest decision of my life.