I've been on here for a while and haven't blogged a thing so why not start today, right? Not too much has happened to me in the past couple of months that has been blog worthy. Today, though, was kind of a big day for me. A bit of background:
It's been a dream of mine for a while to just devote myself to helping others. When I joined the Air Force, I had grand dreams of being a PJ (or a Pararescue Jumper). PJ's are Special Operations operatives tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments. They are the only members of the Department of Defense specifically organized, trained and equipped to conduct personnel recovery operations in hostile or denied areas as a primary mission. However, I'm not the most skilled swimmer and considering that is a big part of the requirement, that dream died.
From there, after I got out of the military, I wanted to be a firefighter. That would have required me to move back to the area I grew up which my wife was not willing to do under any circumstances. She grew up in the area too and didn't want to go back. That would have been the easiest route for me (and really my only viable option) to become a firefighter. That dream also died, or was killed really.
So, it was on to plan "C" which was go to law school, become a lawyer, and help people that way.
Back to the present time. I'm in my second year of law school now and have really learned a lot. As part of my regular job, I am also a union steward which allows me to help employees using skills I've acquired in school. Recently, I was helping a man with a case and had to go up against a seasoned attorney in addition to having to present a case in front of a judge. This isn't something a lot of law students get to do. Anyhow, after several months of long hours, lots of research, and a ton of writing, the case concluded today. I was able to negotiate a settlement for my client and was able to get him the best possible outcome he could have hoped for under the circumstances.
This was a huge deal for me and I was so, so, so excited. I'm now undefeated in the legal arena. Not too shabby for a kid fighting against a seasoned attorney.
It's been a dream of mine for a while to just devote myself to helping others. When I joined the Air Force, I had grand dreams of being a PJ (or a Pararescue Jumper). PJ's are Special Operations operatives tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in humanitarian and combat environments. They are the only members of the Department of Defense specifically organized, trained and equipped to conduct personnel recovery operations in hostile or denied areas as a primary mission. However, I'm not the most skilled swimmer and considering that is a big part of the requirement, that dream died.
From there, after I got out of the military, I wanted to be a firefighter. That would have required me to move back to the area I grew up which my wife was not willing to do under any circumstances. She grew up in the area too and didn't want to go back. That would have been the easiest route for me (and really my only viable option) to become a firefighter. That dream also died, or was killed really.
So, it was on to plan "C" which was go to law school, become a lawyer, and help people that way.
Back to the present time. I'm in my second year of law school now and have really learned a lot. As part of my regular job, I am also a union steward which allows me to help employees using skills I've acquired in school. Recently, I was helping a man with a case and had to go up against a seasoned attorney in addition to having to present a case in front of a judge. This isn't something a lot of law students get to do. Anyhow, after several months of long hours, lots of research, and a ton of writing, the case concluded today. I was able to negotiate a settlement for my client and was able to get him the best possible outcome he could have hoped for under the circumstances.
This was a huge deal for me and I was so, so, so excited. I'm now undefeated in the legal arena. Not too shabby for a kid fighting against a seasoned attorney.