I entered the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) in early 1988 and entered Active Duty on 6 Feb. 89.  I went to boot camp at MCRD San Diego, with 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Company "M", Platoon 3011.  I graduated  on 28 April, 1989.  My Senior D.I. SSGT Swann, and D.I.s SGT Swainson, SGT Turner and SGT Moore.  Plt. 3011 took 1st and 3rd Phase Drill competitions as well as had the highest Rifle range scores.

I spent 4 years with 1st Light Armored Infantry Battalion, starting out in Weapons Company (1989), then H&S Co, Weapons Platoon.  While during deployments, we were attached to various line companies, I spent time attached to both 'A' Company and 'C' Company.  You can find out more in the Origin Section

I first got involved in the fire service as a volunteer fire fighter after leaving active duty and while working back in my trade of construction.  I enjoyed the 'fire-stuff' and decided to try and make a career out of it.  I started taking courses, became a WA State First Responder, then a WA State EMT and took every course I could.  After awhile I also was one of the youngest station captains. 

After completing the Fire Academy I was hired by a large Composite Fire Department in February 1997 and have never looked back.  I still take what courses I can, currently am trained in Auto-Extrication, High-angle Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Tower Crane Rescue and as a Driver/Engineer.  I decided I really enjoyed the Technical Rescue stuff, hence the specialized courses.

I have been married to the same woman that I married after the Gulf War in 1991, have two wonderful daughters, one born in 1996, the other in 2000.  We have a pure bred German Shepherd and two cats.  In my spare time I enjoy maintaining my web site, camping, fishing etc, my home keeps me continually busy.  I coach my daughters soccer teams and am involved in the community via my Fire Department.  Somewhere in there I still find time to get to the range for some 'stress relieving' shooting in both small and full bore (.22, .303 British, .308).  I am also planning on starting to shoot some IPSC matches next year (Para-Ordnance S14-45 -- double stack).