Richard Nielsen:  

After high school, I joined the Coast Guard, wanting to achieve a goal of being someone worth something. High school insecurities and all. After two years on a ship that took me through Central and South America, I was stationed in Monterey and rose in the ranks. I racked up numbers that at the time had me believe 'challenge complete.' I rescued several hundred people, Was directly responsible for saving the lives of over twenty people--and two dogs, This included being nominated for the Coast Guard medal of heroism for saving a family and my crew while my boat lost power in storm waves off a rocky coast. I was also involved in counter-smuggling After discharge and disgruntled about being a poorly treated veteran, I wandered through over two dozen jobs including commercial diver, diver for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, sales positions, service tech for an industrial company, R & D tech. Various customer service jobs. Stockbroker. Account executive for a financial firm, Repo man. Fencing coach, consultant for mercenaries and international commodity shippers. Naturalist guide, construction, technical and writing and other positions. During these times, I managed to botch up a couple marriages and numerous relationships. A major plus is two fine so...Expand for more