Entry Five

After my time stationed in Norfolk was up, I was getting ready to get out and move back home.  I literally had two weeks left.  My plans were to move back to my grandparents temporarily and go back to my civilian job as a Travel Agent.  They had laws that would make them accept me back, right?  One day while talking to the Air-Boss in the tower, he found out that I was going back to Minneapolis and that’s the duty station he was just the Commander at.  He made a phone call, I talked to BUPERS for orders and low-and-behold, I re-enlisted! I had orders to be stationed in my home town.  What?? Omg, what just happened? I thought I was trying to get out? Again, something in me said this was the right move & I felt guided.

When my time was up, I knew I wanted to stay home and plant my feet in Minnesota. I didn’t want to leave my family and that time, I was 30 years old. I had plans to meet a guy, fall in love and make a life here.  - - - Still waiting for THAT to happen but that’s a story for later.  My Grandpa kept insisting that it was important for me to stay in the military, retire and think of my future.  I honored his opinion but just didn’t want to uproot and I wanted freedom.  (Nothing against the military but you do know they control your duty station, etc.)  I enlisted into the Reserves.  I was pretty lucky that I had 2 months of leave saved up so I was able to job hunt & prep in that time. 

I had heard of & kept bugging Reggie Worlds, with the Department of Veterans Affairs (State/American Legion) claims office.  Seriously, after weeks of begging him for a job, he hired me on for a temp position and a month or so later, I left to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs (Federal).   I felt bad but we both knew I had to take a full time job with benefits.