Roger Hazen:  

Growing up, no matter what I tried (legally) to have friends, no one liked me. I was always alone. I didn't know how to fight so anyone could bully me. At 17, even though I didn't get into drugs or drinking (or gangs like my younger brother did) & I was about a C or D student & even my parents didn't seem to want me around. All they'd ever say was "We don't like your attitude" but when I asked what that meant, they wouldn't answer. As a result of so much bullying, my dad got got a weight-bench for all of us kids & I lifted all summer. During 9th grade, no body bothered me. I continued lifting & building & I've been the strongest person at almost every job I've had since. After 10th grade, in June or July 79, my parents told me that I had to check out which branch of the military I wanted to go to. When I came home from the physical in Oakland Ca., my mom was surprised that I'd actually signed & had a report date. She said, "We just wanted you to see that we could send you if we wanted to". I told her that I thought they just wanted to get rid of me so I did. I went Army & combining active, Army Reserve & Nat'l Guard, I served 12 years includ...Expand for more