Before I started my career in the Navy, I worked as a cook in several

restaurants. My favorite restaurant was the last one that I ever worked at,

Hooters. I was the kitchen manager there for a year, then I joined the

Navy. I went to recruit training in Great Lakes, IL, and then AT school in

Pensacola, FL. After school I was off to my first squadron VFA-115 in

Lemoore, CA.

I spent 4 years there working on the avionics systems of the F/A-18E

Super Hornet. I received some in-depth training on the FLIR pod

system, and later became the FLIR/R&C team leader for my squadron.

I went on my first deployment while I was in VFA-115 on the USS

Abraham Lincoln. The deployment was 9 1/2 months long. After that

I decided that ship life wasn't for me. I left Lemoore and headed to

Jacksonville, FL to become a Flight Engineer.

After I finished FE school I remained in Jacksonville and went to

VP-5 as a "nugget" engineer. After about 8 months I was fully

qualified and enjoying the life of flying in the ancient P-3 Orion. After

my first deployment with VP-5 I became an Instructor. I'm currently

still in VP-5 on my third deployment.