Human

I spent my career balancing between working to be the best diesel mechanic on my ship and attempting to attend every COMREL (Community Relations) trips that I could. I've been to schools, orphanages, and cities in need from Thailand, Indonesia, Brunei, Phillipines, Cambodia, and Greece. I've helped young orphans to stay in school, homeless dogs feel loved, and rebuilding schoolhouses.

The most memorable was from Greece, at the dog rescue shelter. I was at the tail end of my enlistment, ready to go home. I was asked to volunteer at a rescue facility with around 150 dogs. When we arrived at the place, we were welcomed by some of the less friendly dogs, who were kenneled by themselves near the entrance. This ancient lab bounced back and forth, pulling at the tether around his neck and bolted to his doghouse. There were three workers at the site, the sum total of the workforce. They had a cauldron boiling in a little sheet metal shack, where all the food was kept. It was a goulash of rice, dry and wet dog food, and donated left over vegetables from the local grocery store.

Many of the dogs were allowed to roam freely across the yard, in a large pack of probably half the population. Few were friendly enough to come close to you immediately, much like a normal dog would, who once had a loving home. The majority of the dogs were left tied to the perimeter chain link fence, by owners who grew tired of them, didn't want them, or couldn't feed them anymore. These were the lucky ones. On Crete, since it's a rural island (and to be completely honest, very backward and stubborn), many dog owners would hang their dogs in their olive trees, and leave them up for a few hours, to make sure that they were dead.

We spent all of the visits there taking turns cleaning up poop, washing bowls, and spraying out the holding kennels for the new arrivals. We trucked in food and supplies, repainted the buildings, and did yard work. Most of all, at least I think was the biggest impact, was we showed each and every one of the dogs love and compassion. I took it upon myself to get to know nearly every dog, play with them, and eventually pick them up and carry them like babies. They loved being carried because during that time, they were treated like my one and only dog. I loved every single one of them, and I wish I had the ability to adopt them all, but all I could do was come by and work, play, love them, and donate as much as I could.

All my experiences have stayed with me, ever after a year and some change from my discharge date. I've found a great friend who supports me in everything I do, and a family to love me. I'd say I've transitioned pretty well from the young, inexperienced boy who enlisted right after high school, to a well seasoned man, rough and ready to make his own way in the cutthroat world that is the civilian life. I've got two jobs, a car, an apartment, and now a heeler puppy. I couldn't have asked for a better life.