Jeff Walsh:  

et I did date. In fact, I dated very little in college. I took part in a few campus organizations even though I lived off campus as a single parent. I joined Lambda Delta Alpha (the local fraternity). Even became their President for my Senior year. They have since dissolved due to the growing lack of interest in Greek college societies. Too bad, it was just another layer of fun and involvement. Some took it WAY too seriously (from both the inside and out)... but, it was always based very much on fun, activities, and friendship. I wouldnt say we were the coolest fraternity on campus... in fact we generally got a bad wrap and little interest from the women compared to the pretty boy or pseudo-rich boy fraternities. What we were was fun and down to earth and we had a good amount of ex-military or rotc members. I also like to think we threw some of the best campus parties while I was there. I was also music director of the college radio station my Senior year (as well as a DJ for most of the others). I worked in the Office of Financial Aid as well. I had a college band (RELENTLESS) with Wade Packard.... and we played to some friendly and some NOT VERY FRIENDLY crowds... but, such is the case when you played 80s metal during the height of alternative/grunge. Being booed builds character, right? Ok, it only happened once, but it still sucked. Even though we were small, not super great, and only had two members and a drum machine, we tried to have fun and be at least somewhat entertaining. Hell, we even had lighting, fog, and blew off our own pyro!! 'Twas fun... had MP3s up on MP3.com years ago before that site changed... I'll have to post them somewhere else someday when I get the time to do so. All in all it college was a good time... and it was definitely about getting that slip of paper first and foremost... which I was able to do in 3 1/2 years. Ripon is a cool little town... great to visit and good for schooling because its small and compact and likewise, so are the schools and classrooms (hs and college). That just keeps things more personal and interactive. But, Ripon is also not a place I'd want to live after school... I dont like their local politics. I definitely disagreed with city politics many times when I lived there. Back then there was some severe incompetence in the School Superintendent and a few others... I'll spare you that story. I just hate local politicans that make blanket laws and rules that essentially are one size fits all and don't take individuals or individual situations into account. To me, that is Republican politics... no regard for the average individual, businesses and CEOs come first. We all fund our governments... we have the right to expect more. Some in power like to flex their power and tell people 'No' whenever they can because it makes them feel strong... and/or helps them avoid doing work. That irritates me. The best leaders are those with power who who use their power sparingly and thoughtfully and seek to do the right things for the good of others, not their own personal gains. And they do what they do regardless of the amount of personal effort involved on their part... but rather because it is the right thing to do. Military Was in for 4 years. Started at San Diego, then Camp Pendleton (CA), finally arriving to finish my enlistment at Parris Island South Carolina. I did very well, recieve many awards and promotions. Boot camp was a blast, I made alot of great memories, it was a super way to start out adult life, giving me time to figure out what I wanted to do in life. However, I think the military is a harsh way of life and the government doesn't treat its enlisted service members properly. I feel sorry for the troops in many of our government involvements. There are many unpleasant realities of military life that show up after you are in (like, did you know, you have to BUY your own uniforms? and the benefits in general aren't as great as they are painted to be). And that doesnt even cover the MAJOR issues if you have to go to a combat zone. Unfortunately the military gets misused in diplomatic conflicts and thus really dont get to use their training but a small part of the time... the rest they often end up easy targets. Even with the best training, you cant stop a bullet or explosion you dont know is coming. Very sad. So, while I would highly recommend anyone join the Air Force out of HS if they arent sure what they want to do in life, they should think long and hard before joining the other branches. Go the place that will treat you the best and give you the best balance of personal freedom to go with your sacrifices. The Marines will overwork you and underpay you... the Navy might stick you on a ship for months on end, the Army, well it is the Army and both the Marines and Army are where you are most likely to give your life for a suspect cause. Again, I completely respect our troops and their sacrifices, however, I do not believe our politicians always get us into or out of the best causes in the proper manner. Iraq being a great example... pretty costly on many levels for something that could have been accomplished in beter ways and really wasnt necessary in the manner it was sold to us when we went in. It's a shame when human lives are lost and families are affected forever. War, like fighting in general, should be one of the last resorts. In Iraq, I supported the notion of going in and removing Sadam. I am not so sure us occupying the place beyond that is the best solution for anyone. Countries sometimes have to go through their civil wars... Iraq needs to settle as it will without our services members marching around like targets. No training in the world can prepare you for being a target in a situation where its no longer even considered an active "war". You cant be on guard all the time and you might be one heck of a stud fighter, but a grenade or bullet will bring you down easily. One last thing: don't believe what you hear about our services being "all-volunteer fighting forces". Think of it this way... you cant legally vote or drink or even have sexual relations with your hs girlfriend at 17... however, the goverment will allow you to be signed into service via the false promises of recruiters. How is that volunteering? It is false advertising and taking advantage of kids in my book. I am not saying the military is all bad, its not... but, you should be able to join freely and LEAVE freely and you deserve much better pay than the poverty level most service members live at. I recommend the military as your starting point after HS... it makes sense in so many ways, but, I don't think it makes a wise long-term career path unless your goal and abilities have you on the path to be an officer and one day potentially a General. Just some thoughts, probably too deep for here... but there you have them anyway.