I never thought I would deploy to a combat zone. When I first enlisted in the National Guard in March of 2000, my Mom asked, “What if we go to war?” I responded, “I’m joining the National Guard. The worst thing that could happen is I’ll end up in some flood zone filling sand bags.” Three years later I was training for the first of three deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

I’m an optimist. I have always been able to find the silver lining in any given situation. My first deployment to Iraq was frightening and exhilarating at the same time. Bad things were happening. At times, I felt like I was in a strange movie. It was surreal to drive down an Iraqi highway in a makeshift up-armored HMMWV, with helicopters flying overhead, and seeing kids splashing in the Tigris River. I enjoyed every moment of my deployment. Being a part of something that was bigger than myself made me realize how much I loved what I was doing.  I can look at that deployment as a defining moment in my life. Because I loved it, I decided to become a Warrant Officer.  I was able to use the skills I learned as a Warrant officer to take a job in a different state, where I met my wife, and had beautiful twin daughters.  Everyone has a different story. Everyone has a different experience. I treasure mine, because if I didn’t have these experiences, I wouldn’t be the person I am today.