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| Lead slingin' Parrot Head  |
At age 6 I was going to be the world's first cowboy/ astronaut/ inventor. My Dad tried to explain that there was no such thing as an "inventor job ", although I might be able to invent something....I was disappointed but not dissuaded. I had always had an interest in flying and space and by my teen years I was fully committed to flying and being a fighter pilot but kept running into recruiters and officers pointing out that my glasses would keep me from flying and suggesting other specialties and other adults pushing me towards other occupations and fields of study...but I never lost my interest or love of flying and space...and a part of me still wants to be a cowboy too. | |||
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| Oh stewardess, I speak jive.  |
Astronaut or some such for sure. Pew pew, in space. | |||
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From about 6th grade until my junior year of high school I was convinced I wanted to be a PhD nuclear engineer and research dark matter (yes I was and am a nerd). My senior year I decided to major in chemical engineering and then go to grad school for nuclear engineering as it would give me more options. Well I graduated as a chemical engineer and minored in nuclear engineering, chemistry and economics. My first permanent job after college was working as a nuclear engineer. I went on a bit of a tangent in college and got involved with my local volunteer fire department. That experience really got me interested in public safety. In fact I’m still a member Of the same fire department 21 years later. After working in the engineering field for a couple years I ultimately decided that working as an engineer wasn’t enough like going to school and learning to be an engineer so I decided to give law enforcement a try and that’s what I’ve been doing now for the last 16 years. I was a uniformed local cop for 3 years and a fed for the last 13. I have continued my engineering education though because I still love the study of engineering. I earned my MS in explosives engineering and started working towards a PhD in that same field but I’m not sure if I’ll finish the PhD. I will probably due additional grad school work in a couple related fields to keep up on my studies, but as far as a way to earn a living I think I’m doing the right thing. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” | |||
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Was the book Chickenhawk? Great read! I wanted to be an FBI agent and then a fighter pilot. My father grew up in poverty and wanted to be a farmer. He became a physician. | |||
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| More persistent than capable |
Normal Lick the lollipop of mediocrity once and you suck forever. | |||
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Washing machine whisperer |
Much to my personal contentment, I have failed horribly at that pursuit.  __________________________ Writing the next chapter that I've been looking forward to. | |||
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Probably on a trip |
After watching the ridiculous movie Convoy in the late 70s I decided that being a truck driver was the coolest thing ever. Luckily by 8th grade I outgrew that and went back to pilot. Turns out I had a knack for basic math, good eyes and passed all the physicals. Been flying for 30 years now and getting paid for it, so I am content. This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears above ground he is a protector. Plato | |||
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| Member |
Always with the negatve waves, Moriarty, always with the negatve waves. Safety, Situational Awareness and proficiency. Neck Ties, Hats and ammo brass, Never ,ever touch'em w/o asking first | |||
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| Member |
After watching all of the news clips of the Vietnam conflict and all of America protesting, I knew I wanted to be a Marine like my Uncle who was serving in Vietnam. I enlisted at 17 years and 3 months. When I finally got to my squadron; they would get quotas and asked for volunteers based on MOS’s. I was 19 when I got to Vietnam. 20 years later, I realized I’d had enough fun and retired. I have never regretted one day of those 20 years. USMC (Ret) 1970-1990 Recovering 1911 Addict NRA Benefactor Member | |||
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In high school I decided that I wanted to be a photographer. I worked for a local studio and developed/printed all B&W. Decided that I was going to join the Navy to be a photographer. Talking with my recruiter, he convinced me that an intelligence specialist works with aerial photography, and somehow convinced me that I would be able to fly and take photos. At that time a PH was a 5 year requirement. No way was I signing up for 5 years. Well, that was all BS, and later came to understand that my recruiter, a Cook, was only meeting a quota. Became an IS, made chief, then made LDO, retired after 24 years. Then started working as a DoD Civilian, getting ready to retire this summer. So I spent 43 years, vice 5. I probably should have stuck with the photomate (PH) idea. By now I despise my job and can't wait to retire. Cheers, Doug in Colorado NRA Patriot Life Benefactor Member | |||
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Cop. Only a cop. From my earliest memories. I refused to be the robber when playing cops and robbers. I became a cop at 23. At 30, I got into a specialty unit. I have been there for a little more than two years, and am really missing being a street cop. A lot. I predict that I will go back when the time is right. | |||
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| Member |
I would've chosen to be a vet, but I realized in my Senior year that I wasn't cut out for more schooling. I became what I was working for each summer, a plumber like my dad. This year will be my 53rd year doing it. It hasn't been good to my body, but I still love it! _________________________________________________ "Once abolish the God, and the Government becomes the God." --- G.K. Chesterton | |||
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| His diet consists of black coffee, and sarcasm.  |
I grew up in the early years of the space program, watching Gemini mission launches on the black-and-white TV that had to be hit with your fist to keep the picture from rolling, and thought, "I'd like to be an astronaut." That didn't last long, nor did the railroad engineer. "The Almighty, He put some livin' things on this earth so a man can eat." - Festus Haggen, Gunsmoke | |||
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| No double standards |
So engineering, economics, fire fighting, law enforcement, AND blowing things up? Then continuing education. What do you do in your spare time? "Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. When it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it....While it lies there, it needs no constitution, no law, no court to save it" - Judge Learned Hand, May 1944 | |||
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Member |
Rich Let me help you out. Which way did you come in? | |||
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| Member |
Basically me too. As a kid in the 1060's I wanted to be a secret agent. Seriously. Got that from all the Bond and similar movies and TV shows from that era. It stayed with me and after law school I applied to my local PD as a first step to an "elite" federal agency. Killed the written exam passed the background check and lie detector test (whew!) but my uncorrected vision did not meet minimum standards and to my dismay and my Jewish parents relief that was the end of that. I have now spent 40 years next month as a lawyer and wile I have enjoyed the work, I still look back with a twinge of regret for what might have been. | |||
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| Bookers Bourbon and a good cigar  |
At 73 years, 2 months , 1 week and 2 days after being born, i have no recollection of having a career goal as a child. I just remember wanting to be successful at whatever I attempted. I believe that goal was achieved. Any dog can be a Guide Dog if you don't care where you're going. NRA ENDOWMENT LIFE MEMBER | |||
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| Banned |
That's my story as well. Had no idea what I wanted to be. But God has blessed me beyond my wildest dreams. | |||
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Member |
I can't remember any thoughts of wanting a traditional career. I did want to be a pro soccer player or boxer for a while, but in the back of my mind, I knew I'd join the military since that's what most in my family did. 十人十色 | |||
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| Member |
I wanted to be a veterinarian. Man I was way off. | |||
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