Out of Rocky Waters and Safe on Land
             It was January 12th, 2004 at about 1100 hours onboard the USS Nimitz CVN-68. I had just arrived in the Combat Direction Center, my place of business, when the phone rang. OS3 Brito yelled to me, "OS2, you have a phone call. It's Brooks". I reached down and picked up the phone. "Combat Direction Center, this is OS2 Barker speaking. How may I help you Sir or Ma'am?" "OS2 Barker, this is OS2 Brooks. I have your Detailer on the line with me and she would like to discuss your intentions of re-enlisting". An hour later, the conversation was over and I was left with one of the biggest decisions of my life: stay in the Navy or get out? Staying in would mean leaving my family and friends again. It would be my fourth eight-month deployment overseas to the Arabian Gulf since March of 1999. So why am I here at Grossmont College and not half way across the world? I am at Grossmont College because I was not ready for college out of High School, I had to seek out a stable financial situation for my future family, and because I now want to pursue my dream of becoming the first in my family to complete college.
             When I left High School, I was not prepared to begin college. It was in January of 1998 and I was in my senior English class. My teacher, Ms. Brown, raised both of her arms in the air and said, "Class, we have a visitor. I need you to give your full attention to NC1 (SW/AW) Swain. He is from the Naval Recruiting District of Los Angeles, and he is here to talk with you about your future and what the Navy might be able to do for you." NC1 Swain spoke for about an hour on how the Navy offered money for college, a steady job, and how the Navy would allow you to see the world. My classmate and best friend Gary and I were so excited about the Navy and could not wait to hear more. We arrived at the Azusa District Recruiting Office, and there in the back left co...