It's about time I introduced myself! Ive been lurking for a good while and seeing Viking's post and how his situation and opinions mirror mine I decided it was past time to register and put myself out there. Ive been in 8 yrs as of now and am a PO1 (E6), with a little less than 2 yrs to go. Ive done 6 yrs in San Diego and will do 4 yrs in Virginia Beach. I took my "red pill" last summer while in Africa and have been coming out of my shell more and more since then. As far as the Navy is concerned it's just not the same for me anymore, as I do not believe in what I am doing. I'm in the top % advancement wise, so it sure is a secure job, but those who trade liberty for security...well you know. My original plan was to do 20 then retire to a paid off homestead in one of the free states. But that doesn't seem feasible anymore, especially with events of the past week. While already half way there I see it as in a sense "wasting" those 10 years. I was looking at MT or ID at first, but the job situation and the FSW put WY over the top for me. Im a bit surprised by my transformation from a man who toed the party line so fervently to one who wishes to be dependent on no one but myself and embraces libertarian ideals. I can not lead people to a goal or values that I do not agree with and it sickens me that I am a de facto "agent" of a govt that I dislike so much.
Well that's what brought me here so here's a little bit more about myself. My main experience is in weapons/ordnance/security and right now in fact I am instructing on major caliber gun systems (MK45, MK75, MK38). I don't really have any marketable quantifiable skills, although I am about to get an Associates in Electrical Engineering, and have Journeyman opportunities in the same field as the gun systems I work on are filled with electro-hydraulic and mechanics. The big thing that has kept me in is the question of what I would do when I got out. Between TA while I am still in and the GI Bill when I get out I can amass a quite immense arsenal of skills. Well I am now confident in my ability and desire to do ANYTHING. Trucking, railroad work, energy, construction, I'm excited at the prospect of doing something I may have never done before, in such an atmosphere as the Free State of Wyoming!