Time has passed, and I stand a changed person. While I've retained a lot of the qualities that I originally had I've observed and acquired new ones. Better or worse, that's for others to decide, but I feel it's for the better. Life is different in the Navy; responsibility is key, and time is of the utmost importance. Particularly as it concerns a mission.

Something I've never been particularly fond of, time, is now a key factor in my life. A decisive function of my every day routine. Prior to this decision time was more or less just a nuance, something I considered but never paid attention to. Arrivals and departures just a consequence of the turning of the seasons. Bearing no particular structure or sway in my daily life, I did what I wanted when I wanted. Now it holds together what has essentially made me in the Navy. Time is a factor in determining what I do, how I do it, and when it's accomplished. There is no late in the Navy - there's on time and then there's unexcused absence (leading to what can be particularly severe punishment). On time (as it relates to time itself) means being 15 minutes early to anything. You have to be at a muster at 7:30? You show up at 7:15.

It's strange really, to see myself change and feel it. To be what someone else might consider "responsible" (another thing I've never really cared for, others opinions). That's not the only change, of course. I've lost some essence, I suppose. Part of the care free attitude I had before now, is gone. Some bit of me is sad for it, but in its place is a steadfast resound to accomplish set goals. Something I've managed to do in my time here at "A" and "C" school. In my classes, I've been the top of the rung every time. From the initial "A" school, to my first "C" school, and onwards to my second "C" school I've managed to be on top of the others when it comes to knowledge, retention and practical application. Something I'm quite proud of.

It's been a long road, since I left in March to boot camp, and now I stand at the end of my schooling looking forward to a bright future and a potential career. I've got orders to Hawaii, ultimately, and that's something I'm quite pleased about. The Pacific Fleet should be an exciting venture, as well as offering me the wiles I wanted when I first joined. That being said it also offers challenges (some of which are personal, others are professional) that I look forward to overcoming.

I've noticed several changes over this time period, the first of which responsibility. I've a new look about it, and maintain my responsibility now more than ever. The second of which is confidence; something I had prior to joining but has been made even more concrete since working my way to this point. I might venture to say there's a bit of cockiness in my attitude when it comes to work and play (both of which I love) but it's well deserved after the trials I've encountered, and generally put in good taste. The final change has been a sense of work. We all work, sure enough, from day to day we all have the ins and outs. But while some may work an eight hour day I work twelve. Not simple work either, mind you. Exhaustive work, both mentally and physically. Dangerous work, work that I wouldn't have thought I could handle prior to being here. It's amazing the things you become accustomed to when you've got no choice, and are pushed head first into. Twelve hour days are one thing, but then there are duty days, days in which extra work (in the form of a watch if you happen to be put on one) compound onto your normal day. Some days I've had work that lasted twenty hours, and I'm still expected to be up and ready to go for the next day after my four hours of rest. It may seem harsh, but in reality it's not. It's something that builds character and a sense of responsibility, overall responsibility, for yourself and your friends and the work you're accomplishing.

I've seen people here that crack, they can't handle the adjustment to a military life. People that quite literally do everything in their power to be expelled from the service. I've seen others that manifest this same fear of change and responsibility with irresponsibility. Shunning the management of their own finances and personal lives and wasting an entire paycheck in no greater than two days on trivial things like alcohol and hotel rooms. A means of overcompensating for what they perceive is overly harsh working conditions. Still others run away, quite literally, and decide never to come back. Not only soundly destroying any future they may have in the service, but also being labeled AWOL and listed as someone to arrest on sight should they ever be located. A traitor perhaps, though not in official terms; still someone who has run away is better off staying in the country they ran to than ever returning as the consequences can be severe.

I'm pleased to say that I'm none of that. And while my financial situation certainly isn't great (one isn't paid much at my rank), it isn't terrible either. I've neither cracked under pressure nor run away from my problems (that being one of the issues I used to have prior to joining). It's something I've noticed that's made me proud of myself, and my family just the same. So I want to say to those who look at their lives and feel the pressure beating down on them, get over it. As harsh as it sounds, the pressure of every day life is not bad, and it will always get better so long as you work to make it so. Don't be afraid to take chances, don't be afraid to speak your opinion (in a respectful manner) and most importantly, don't be afraid to chase what makes you happy until you have it. No one can stand in your way, no one.