Ronnie Whitson:  

Lets see...Graduated High school in 88. I joined the Army and was stationed in Hawaii, the island of Oahu, till Jan. 92. First unit was HHC 65th Engineer Battalion, for about a year. Then transferred to Aco. 84th Engineer Battalion for the remainder of my time there, about 2 years. I traveled, for the Army, to "The Big Island" called Hawaii. An area called PTA (Pacific Training Area). My unit built a road (I drove a 5 ton dumptruck for this project). Other parts of the unit Built a Fire training area for their fire departments to use. Another part of the unit renovated their open air food market, similar to a flea market for freshly cought fish, fruits and vegetables, etc. A new roof and stainless steel tables here (they had been using table sized stones, not very sanitary). I was also sent to Johnson Island in the Pacific. It is where the military disposes of outdated munitions. It is a very small island 1 mile wide and 2 1\2 miles long. Basically a runway for aircraft and a few buildings. There I was part of the design team remodeling their barracks. After returning home, I had a year at NKU and made the National Deans List. Missed Army life and joined reserves. I spent about a year assigned to an engineer unit in Columbus Ohio. When a position opened in Ft. Thomas Kentucky I jumped all over it, it was much closer to home. The unit was the 478th Engineer Battalion. You may of heard of it, it was one of the first reserve units activated and sent to Iraq. I was out before that happened. I did do a bit of traveling for that reserve unit, St. Kitts in the Caribbean. The projects there were building a barracks for their military/police, I had a part in its design and drawings. I also went to Indiantown Gap Pennsylvania for PLDC (Primary Leadership Development Course). I finished second in the class, one question away from a tie for first. I also went to Ft. Knox Kentucky for Combat Engineer school, so that I could be promoted. I received my Sgt. stripes shortly after returning from the school. I finished my reserve time in 94. Worked in a couple printing shops as a press operator. Worked in a bowling center/gameroom as a desk clerk then they added bartending. I was trained a bit in the back on the pinsetters. Occationally, did some work as Asst. Manager, and managed the arcade gameroom in the center. Was self employed for a bit doing carpentry and roofing. Managed to get a hernia and had to find a less intense job, no health insurance. Drove a cab, corporate vehicles and limos as well as dispatched for a transportation company. In Dec 96 was hired by a major machine tool company as a sheet metal handler, then promoted to a machinist on a surface grinder, did some assembly work then back to the grinder. During this time my life got pretty wild. (Some things shouldn...Expand for more