Neil Kuchinsky:  

Life I don't remember much of high school; it was difficult for painfully shy and socially awkward kids like me...but things got better; I found that working on jobs and skills that were a challenge to my personality and required some physical courage helped me come out of my shell. During college (first half at Drew University, second half at U.GA.) I worked as an EMT and completed my pilot's license; after college, with a degree in Social Work, I went to Israel for a year to work as a volunteer helping children with behavioral problems in a Skinnerian treatment program. (That was a big help in raisng my own two kids). I was also in the Civil Guard, patrolling the streets of Kiryat Shmoneh at night. I was about to enter the "Psychology Brigade" of the Israeli Army, when I got word that I was accepted to a graduate school that had rejected my previous application. Shortly after beginning the MSW course at Virginia Commonwealth University, I met my wife Laura. We married in 1981, and will be celebrating our 25th anniversary in 2006. After working as a social worker with the elderly following graduate school, it was time for a career change. I decided I wanted to be a lawyer; surely this profession would help me see the world as a more just, less frightening place. (Boy, was I in for a surprise). After law school, I hung up my shingle and joined the Army Reserve JAG Corps. It was quite a transition to go from a liberal New Jersey upbringing into the military, even if only on the weekends and two weeks per year. But it helped me a great deal in learning about other points of view, and I have developed a certain resp...Expand for more