Some people grow up in a home where college is the only option and the funding is almost always there. But for most it is a luxury that at times seems unobtainable. This was the case for me. Both of my parents had a military background and I grew up in a military town due to that factor. Because of this I was determined not to join myself.

I finally graduated with no clue what I wanted to do with my life and after struggling on my own trying to pay for an apartment and still put food in my mouth, I realized that there was no way I was doing this alone. So I walked up to the recruiters office signed my name on the dotted line and left 10 months later for boot camp.

God did I hate it, especially since while in boot camp it suddenly came to me what I wanted to do, be an orthodontist. Needless to say this was not the job that I signed up for. I was to be an Ordnance Technician. Bombs and teeth just don’t mix. Trying with no success to change my rate (job) I realized I was stuck doing something that would get me no where in the civilian world.

Four years later I am here, going to college off of the Navy’s dime working towards the dental degree I should have already accomplished if I had just figured this out sooner. But it is not all bad, I learned a lot about life and people, worked harder than I have or ever will, and saw some really interesting places. After I receive my AA through TCC I plan to transfer to ODU and finish with their Dental Hygenist program. After which I will work in dental office gaining experience while I go to school to be an Orthodontist.