I joined the Marine Corps Reserve for a simple reason. I wanted to become a Marine. At the same time, I wanted to continue pursuing my civilian goals and ambitions. The Marine Corps Reserve gave me a path to do both.

I liked the idea of being a citizen-soldier. Part of the community. Part of the workforce. Part of the Marine Corps.

Four Goals. One Path.

I wanted all of it at once.

• —I wanted to serve my country.
• —I wanted to earn a college degree.
• —I wanted to own a business.
• —I wanted to build a future.

The Marine Corps Reserve gave me a path to pursue all four. Looking back, those six years were busy. Not because I accidentally stumbled into a full schedule. I signed up for it.

Service and Civilian Life in Parallel

As a Marine Corps Reservist, I served as an 0311 Infantry Rifleman. I attended drill. I attended training. I served with my unit. I mobilized when called. I deployed to Iraq.

At the same time, I continued building my civilian life. I attended the University of Memphis and earned my bachelor's degree. I started and operated a business. I worked to build a foundation for my future.

One milestone I'm particularly grateful for was purchasing my first home. I used money I earned while serving in Iraq to buy that house. To me, that home represented more than a mortgage. It represented responsibility. It represented progress. It represented a young Marine beginning to build a life.

More Active Duty Than Reserve Time

One of the funny parts of my story is that I joined the Marine Corps Reserve expecting to spend most of my time as a traditional Reservist. Instead, over the course of my 6x2 enlistment, I accumulated more active-duty time than reserve time.

Life has a way of doing that. You make plans. Then the world gets a vote. I don't say that as a complaint. I say it with gratitude.

Military Service and Entrepreneurship Are Not Separate Paths

Many people think military service and entrepreneurship are separate paths. My experience was different.

• —Show up on time.
• —Honor your commitments.
• —Take care of people.
• —Work hard.
• —Keep moving forward.

Those lessons served me in uniform. They continue to serve me today.

Would I Do It Again?

People occasionally ask whether I would do it all over again. The answer is simple.

Absolutely.

I joined the Marine Corps Reserve because I wanted to serve my country while building a life. Looking back, I'd say the plan worked pretty well.