Before I joined the Army I guess I was lazy, but then I wanted a challenge in my life, so I joined the Army. Before I joined the Army, I was cooking at a restaurant.

There I was, 20 years old, I was not very happy with my job and I just decided that I needed a change. I saw what the Army had done for my brother. My brother was enlisted and became an Officer, and I wanted that. So I went and I saw my Army Recruiter.

I know I'm unusual, but I'm one of those people who was really excited to go to Basic Training. Basic Training was a totally different experience from being back in the civilian world. We did so many things that challenged our bodies and our minds. After a while it just became second nature, it was, it became easy, it became normal, and I bonded with the people I was in Basic with. So it was great. I made a lot of friends from it. I never thought I'd be able to do the things that I did in Basic Training.

And knowing that I'm part of something bigger than me. I love what I do everyday and I love serving my country. The Army has definitely exceeded my expectations. When I look at myself in the mirror I'm proud of who I've become. I had a lot of choices at 18 years old, and luckily I picked the right one. My life didn't really begin until I joined the Army.