Craig Stapp:  

ention in good taste that is! LOL) are trips to Rio, cruise to Antartica, cruise in Med, a Fall cruise up the NE coast of US to Canada from NY City, long vacation to New Zealand and Australia. What kind of person did I turn out to be? Well. I am considered a nice guy, I rarely lose my temper. But I'm not someone to cross professionally. I was admired/known for my honesty, my integrity, my leadership skills in the military. Also for my professional skills and technical abilities in electronics. I was the troubleshooter when an organization had problems, either organizational, technical, or with personnel. I always succeeded at resolving any problems. My superiors valued me tremendously, and my subordinates really liked me as both a boss, but also as a leader and role model. I loved my country, and always did my very best in it's service. I enjoyed difficult challenges, from technical, to resolving personnel problems (re-motivating people or firing them), to environmental (working in severe weather, ie +120 down to -60 degrees outside). I tried to always find a silver lining in my work and enjoyed every job I ever had. I met a very select few who inspired me and who I'd have followed into any situation. Yeah, even if it meant death. I was lucky to know and meet them. For those who aren't military---yes, I know that sounds corny, sappy, or even for some--crazy. But it's true and to be honest, I feel sorry for anyone who hasn't known the fellowship, comraderrie, and brotherhood of those who have served a higher calling beyond themselves. Those professions are few, but we can all recognize them--fireman, firefighters, police, doctors without borders, members of the clergy, and of course the military. I loved every minute of my time in uniform, and I will miss many many dear friends and comrades. As an aside, during a period when I was fighting and recovering from cancer. I went back to school, some 20 years after high school. Now in HS, I did well in classes I had an interest in (History, Electronics, etc) but I believe I ended my HS years with something between a C and B average. Closer to C LOL. So when the opportunity to go to college reared its head, well, I wasn't so sure I could cut the mustard. (My had always excelled in my military academics though). Well, it turned out I was pretty smart. Not bragging---just as surprised as many from HS might be! LOL. Four years of college completed in 2 1/2 years going to school year-round with all the classes I could load on in each semester. I double-majored in Computer Science (programming)and Physics. I was asked by the Math, English Literature, Geophysics, and Police Science Departments to change my major to those fields. I tutored Computer Science and Math; won a grant in Geophysics I didn't apply for (my professors nominated me) and maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout college. I was offered a job at the University as the System Administrator for the Computer Science Department and another by a well-known computer company---both in six-figure payscales. Turned them both down and returned to the military. Why? Because I missed the lifestyle, the people, the sense of purpose, and still felt I could contribute. I did some work later at another University programming for a satellite project (yeah, a space satellite) for a year or so and yes we did launch it from Vandenberg AFB 18 months later and successfully. I used to love to run, play baseball, bowl, play tennis, swim. But as a result of the cancer, I'm pretty much limited to walking, bike riding, swimming, aerobic bikes in the gym. Favorite places to travel: Thailand, Iceland, Bora Bora in French Polynesia, Costa Rica. Well, that's enough I guess. More revealing than most, maybe too much. But that's how I am. Pretty outgoing. Hope you enjoyed the read. Take care.