The Master Plan: Hooyah!

I haven't written anything in a while. I've been really busy with The Master Plan. I know that some people who read this wonder what The Master Plan is. I haven't mentioned what it is simply because I didn't want to jinx it, even though I'm not superstitious in the least bit. Still... just in case, right?

Late last year, I decided to inquire about joining the military. Yeah, you know, I'm 26-years-old and have a college degree. What's the next step? Everything wasn't going according to my Original Life Plan so I decided to be open minded and inquire about the military. First was the Air Force (sorry, dad), but after giving me the run-around and only talking to crappy recruiters, I decided to talk to the Navy (Dad was happy). After talking to that recruiter, I felt comfortable and took a practice ASVAB, in which I scored highly. Two days later, I took the real ASVAB, in which I scored even higher, and started signing the remainder of my soul away... or at least trying to.

Weeks went by and the process kept getting longer and longer. I didn't know that it would take this long to join the military. Then months went by and I still hadn't done my physical. At times I thought, "Shit... am I not even good enough to join the military?" The signing process started in March of 2013.

And the process kept getting delayed. Curve balls kept getting thrown at me, but I kept hitting every single one of them. I didn't give this up.

Earlier in August, I got a call saying that I have a physical. Sweet! I went to my physical, which was a physical only (meaning I wasn't going to choose my job that day nor swear in). Everything went as smoothly as it possibly could that day, which was odd because I was expecting more curve balls (and yes, I was going to hit more home runs). I volunteered to be first for everything just to get my physical over with.

After the doctor congratulated me for passing the physical and being fit to serve in the military, I went to my liasion to get some of the final paperwork done and to do my interview. I was told, "Well... if the moons and stars align perfectly today for you, you might be swearing in." I didn't hold my breath because, after 6 or 7 months of this, stars and shit didn't align. The curve ball this time was that the planets and stars did align for me and I chose my job and swore in. As of August 12, 2013, I was in the Delayed Entry Program for the US Navy. I'm now a future sailor.

The patience was worth it.

I also have an awesome recruiter who tried his hardest to get all of my paperwork done and whatnot. He gave enough shits to get my stuff pushed through and to get me into the Navy. I thank him for giving shits and for helping me get this opportunity.

So far, DEP has been awesome. I enjoy the PT and I really enjoy learning in the meetings and whatnot. I've been studying so I can start my mentoring and to finish my START booklet.

Finally... I'm moving forward with my life.