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My Turning Point

In choosing to realize how flagging my dreams had gotten of obtaining success personally and career-wise, I acted upon a decision in 1996 that separated me from a career in the military after only four years. Based on two consecutive years of low performance appraisals ratings, promotion to the next rank was out of the question, I would be stuck on a career plateau, my personal goals as well greatly affected. I could have stayed, and retired in say twenty or more years, except this option proved dim, and I did not. I decided a truck driving school and subsequent career would prove more accomplishable. At the time it was not a bad decision, this was "plan A", there was no reason for me to believe I would not succeed. Flying from Omaha Nebraska I arrived in Phoenix Arizona on a brilliant sun shining day, dry and arid, here I thought, I would start school and rescue what I had lost. The plans were that after graduation I would be going on to work for a pre-selected trucking company. Although, thinking back to the choices I had if I stayed in the military, there was promise but at a slow pace. I had the choice of enlistments in the reserves or the National Guard as well as extending my then current enlistment for an additional term of three or four years. Oddly, even with these choices, separating was a breeze. With the stroke of a pen, I ended it. My separation from active duty was official and I was free to begin re-establishing a sense of achievement and success.

Here I was in Arizona; it was quite natural for me to compare the stark difference in scenery and community of Nebraska. In Nebraska, the view of the land was full of green, green trees, green grass and green hills in the background, although it is mainly a flat state. Omaha the city was located close to where I lived in Bellevue less than ten minutes away. In Omaha there were entertainments such as theater performances, restaurants, parks and a zoo. The town I lived in was merged with Council Bluffs in the neighboring state of Iowa. Lincoln the capital of Nebraska and Omaha are home to two of the state's universities. Sports, family and conservatism go hand in hand for this state. A popular and champion sports team is the Nebraska Cornhuskers, just about everyone cheers for this football team. Air Shows held are an attraction for many and at the time of my enlistment, it was widely supported. Volunteering one year, I was able to see first hand the

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