Stephen Pratt:  

FIRST: Some clarification. Due to a quirk on this site (one I've thus far been unable to remedy!), my profile lists Gwinn High as my school. To clarify: I graduated from Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes, Delaware ... way back in 1976! I did attend 2 schools in Gwinn: Gilbert Elementary and Gwinn Middle School. Was an "Air Force brat" and attended 2nd through 7th grades in the Gwinn school system while my late father was stationed at nearby K. I. Sawyer AFB. Did a 5-year active duty enlistment in the Navy from 77-82. Had an exciting and rewarding tour as an "Aviation Anti-submarine Warfare Operator" and was a Naval Aircrewman aboard the P-3C Orion ASW aircraft. Spent the entire enlistment with probably the finest aviation squadron in the Navy: that of VP-46, the Grey Knights whose home-station then was NAS Moffett Field in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Traveled the world over, several times over and visited more amazing & memorable places than I care to wrack my brain & list here! As a matter of applying reverse logic: it's actually much easier ... and infinitely QUICKER ... for me to recite the countries I have NOT been to ... than to exhaustively recall & recite those places I HAVE visited !!! Graduated from the University of Delaware ( Go Blue Hens!) in 1986 with a degree in Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering. Worked for a time, in the metro DC area with 3 different DoD contactors, but eventually wearied of the DC ratrace and gave it up. Eventually found gainful, enjoyable engineering work back in Delaware with a civilian aviation firm. Resumed military service with the reserves in 87. Opted for the Army (better student loan repayment program!). Sought a commission, entered OCS and became an Officer in 89. Joined a Special Forces unit (outside of Baltimore) and began the arduous journey through the numerous required qualification schools and courses: a monumental task that took years of tribulation and tons of sweat !!! Got mobilized for Desert Storm and ultimately spent another year on active duty for this conflict. Shortly after 9/11 my unit was again called up and we served a year in Afghanistan. Just 4 months afterwards, I volunteered to serve another year, but for the Iraqi Freedom effort. Thus far, I've accumulated over 27 year of combined military service. I'm currently still in the reserves as a Major and hope to hang in there for the impending promotion to Lt. Colonel! And who knows: I still enjoy parachuting out of planes, rappelling or fast-roping out of helicoptors as most "adrenaline-junkies" do, so I'll hang in for as long as the body will hold up! For the past 2 years I have been working in the Diplomatic Security field which has taken me back to Afghanistan for another 4 tours and have just begun what will be my 4th return tour to Iraq. While this necessitates that I "ply my trade" in a combat zone, the work is rewarding, my co-workers fit, professional and a pleasure to work with; and ... the pay is impressive by any standard! The biggest draw-back is having to be away from home & loved ones for much of the year ... yet someone's gotta do it! And just in case it isn't already patently obvious: based on my military training ... I certainly already possess the necessary skill set for this particular career field !!! Don't you think ??!! AND: should you now be even the least bit curious ... NO ... I do NOT work for Blackwater USA !!! The firm I DO work for is much more reputable and professional! This claim can be validated with the simple observation that each & every time BW manages to step on its own proverbial "tally-whacker" and then soundly cricufied in the world-wide media ... my firm NEVER gets mentioned. To the astute and worldly-wise reader ... this should speak volumes ... What else can I tell ya: Been a sports nut and a bit of an overly-driven "jock" all my life. Participated in most varsi...Expand for more