I am originally from California. I am a retired Army veteran with over 21 years of service as an Infantry soldier, aka Grunt, and three years as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Benning, GA. I was stationed with the 101st on three occasions before retiring from the service as a Screaming Eagle. Upon retiring, I attended college at Austin Peay State University, where I earned a B.S. in History/Geography and a teaching certificate; I have also earned a Master’s Degree in Military History and a Graduate Certificate in Securities Studies. I am working on my Ph.D. in History, focusing on Military History. I have been married for over 40 years with a married son who retired from the U.S. Army and a married daughter who also earned a degree at Austin Peay State University, majoring in English and later a master's in education in ND where she teaches high school English. So, you can see how important I hold education and service to this great nation.