Born in Quincy IL, football and wrestler in HS. Shipped off to boot camp at MCRD 2 days after graduation. Mom was not ready for that. Stationed at Camp Lejeune, gunner on an LAV in Iraq, finished four year enlistment with 5 months on the all marine boxing team. 3.5 years of college then dropped out to become a firefighter at the Raleigh fire dept. Been there for the last 18 years. Married for 10, 4 children ages 10, 9, and twin 7 year olds. Been active in peer support and a believer in therapy. It has helped me level off at times of great emotional turmoil.