A few weeks back I went through processing at MEPS and ran into a bit of a hiccup. I passed everything that they had to test me on medically and physically, but they caught an innocent heart murmur that I've had my whole life. It doesn't mean anything and it doesn't affect me, but if I couldn't provide documentation proving this I could have been permanently disqualified from serving in the military in any fashion let alone forming a career in the Navy. Well, that time has passed and the scare is over. I'm now in the Navy Reserves and my ship date for boot camp is in November of this year where I will finally start my career as an active sailor.

I got a good job too in the Advanced Electronics Computer Field (AECF) thanks to my impressive ASVAB score of 85. I have further aspirations of becoming an officer one day, but for now, I'm going into a field that's very selective and in-demand. Most of my training will count for college credit too, so things look bright. I'm planning to stay in the Navy until retirement, but if I chose to get out and get a civilian job, my AECF training would land me in a job that paid in the six figures easily. Still, it's not about money for me..........okay, it's kinda about the money, but I'm also incredibly attracted to the benefits and adventure that a career in the Navy will give me. About 60% of my assignments will be at sea or in an entirely different country, so by the time I start considering retirement I'll have seen more of the world than most people see in their lifetimes. Plus the salary isn't that bad if I take into account my housing allowance, food allowance, and other benefits.

I'm very excited for when I finally get to start down my career path, but my guaranteed ship date is still far away. I can leave earlier if someone with my job gets kicked out of the Delayed Entry Program, but I doubt that'll happen. They told me anybody who got my job probably has too good of a head on their shoulders and wouldn't do anything to get them disqualified. So, my ship date is likely going to remain nearly a year from now. Still, I'll get to play video games and hang out with friends until then so it's not allthat bad :P. Even so, I'm anxious to get out in the world and start earning my own bread, but until then I'm gonna do my best to enjoy being a kid for a little bit longer.