Et Tamen Fortis
Unverified
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2016
- Messages
- 11
Hello! For purposes of preserving valuable anonymity, i.e., so I can write freely without any incurring risk, I'll introduce myself by my initials as JD. I don't know if it will be necessary, but there seems to be more reasons to play it safe for now than not. I hope no one takes any offense or feels any suspicion on account of this, and I have already promised myself that I will try to play things clean, straight and courteous in all my postings here. There's no reason not to practice having a good military bearing after all.
About me: I'm pretty old (32), have worked part-time in private security/EP for almost 10 years, with some very handsome rates and great clients, as well as some not-so-handsome clients and laughable rates. All of my work was very hands-on, as an instructor-level jiu-jitsu fighter and former tournament competitor, and yes, I've got some great stories for the books. :) When I got out of the business of protecting to focus on working as an Intellectual Property professional / patent agent, as well as to keep time for the personal training business I run, there was something that felt missing. Even while I was doing the bouncer/bodyguard thing, though, I knew that there was something bigger and better that I could be fighting for than rich, sometimes paranoid, sometimes scummy people and their all-consuming private interests.
This sense of lack has driven me, after many years, to this forum. Yes, this is me acknowledging that it all starts with insecurity. As a person who has read and pondered his fair share of every brand of psychobabble, however, I'm of the mind that this terrible uncertainty and desire for recognition is the best of all places to start, in terms of forging a road towards virtue, gallantry and greatness.
I have a B.A. from USC and an M.A. from overseas. Subjects of study include social sciences (philosophy, psychoanalysis) and biotech/biomedical science. I would describe myself as highly intellectual, but very physically active as well, with both powerlifting and freedive hunting as hobbies. I've also taught BJJ prior for a major university and a big-name MMA gym, and have some good, practical, effective hand-to-hand skills that have saved my ass in many ugly situations. As a former hardcore BJJ-guy, I am a little beat up in terms of orthopedic issues, but because my health insurance is very good, I am working hard to get as much fixed up as possible, medically speaking, before my 33rd birthday. I've been fortunate to have just recently gained access to some amazing specialist doctors, and I've managed to grow in physical strength, even while choosing to sidelines myself from martial arts training and competition.
As someone who has also worked as an educator for many years (private tutor, substitute teacher, instructor/trainer etc.), there are few things that I love more than teaching, training, negotiating, arbitrating, and ultimately helping people to succeed, sometimes in spite of themselves. This is why an officer position seems to me like it would be the best fit.
I know that if I want to do this, whether AD, reservist or in a guard unit, that it's going to take some major work, major luck, and perhaps most of all, major persistence and willingness to sacrifice. I am already investing in it, with thousands of dollars paid out of pocket for medical care in recent months. Things are moving in a good direction, and I'm excited to see what kind of mentorship and advice I can get from people who have been through the ringer.
Phew! Sorry for the long-winded intro, but I'm looking forward to trying to get this SOF thing figured out, in terms of where I might fit best. I honestly think I'm a better candidate for a Civil Affairs type of job than anything, wherein the majority of the work to be done is of an intellectual and interpersonal nature, but I also have strong interests in medicine and law-related MOS's, which dovetail with my education and specialties in IP law. Anyhow, if you read this whole thing, thanks for your support and kindness, and feel free to offer any suggestions. I know that SF wannabes like me tend to be special snowflakes, and I claim no exception, but I think it's how that can be harnessed that's the most important factor. Anyhow, I hope my enthusiasm hasn't earned anybody's scorn just quite yet. :)
About me: I'm pretty old (32), have worked part-time in private security/EP for almost 10 years, with some very handsome rates and great clients, as well as some not-so-handsome clients and laughable rates. All of my work was very hands-on, as an instructor-level jiu-jitsu fighter and former tournament competitor, and yes, I've got some great stories for the books. :) When I got out of the business of protecting to focus on working as an Intellectual Property professional / patent agent, as well as to keep time for the personal training business I run, there was something that felt missing. Even while I was doing the bouncer/bodyguard thing, though, I knew that there was something bigger and better that I could be fighting for than rich, sometimes paranoid, sometimes scummy people and their all-consuming private interests.
This sense of lack has driven me, after many years, to this forum. Yes, this is me acknowledging that it all starts with insecurity. As a person who has read and pondered his fair share of every brand of psychobabble, however, I'm of the mind that this terrible uncertainty and desire for recognition is the best of all places to start, in terms of forging a road towards virtue, gallantry and greatness.
I have a B.A. from USC and an M.A. from overseas. Subjects of study include social sciences (philosophy, psychoanalysis) and biotech/biomedical science. I would describe myself as highly intellectual, but very physically active as well, with both powerlifting and freedive hunting as hobbies. I've also taught BJJ prior for a major university and a big-name MMA gym, and have some good, practical, effective hand-to-hand skills that have saved my ass in many ugly situations. As a former hardcore BJJ-guy, I am a little beat up in terms of orthopedic issues, but because my health insurance is very good, I am working hard to get as much fixed up as possible, medically speaking, before my 33rd birthday. I've been fortunate to have just recently gained access to some amazing specialist doctors, and I've managed to grow in physical strength, even while choosing to sidelines myself from martial arts training and competition.
As someone who has also worked as an educator for many years (private tutor, substitute teacher, instructor/trainer etc.), there are few things that I love more than teaching, training, negotiating, arbitrating, and ultimately helping people to succeed, sometimes in spite of themselves. This is why an officer position seems to me like it would be the best fit.
I know that if I want to do this, whether AD, reservist or in a guard unit, that it's going to take some major work, major luck, and perhaps most of all, major persistence and willingness to sacrifice. I am already investing in it, with thousands of dollars paid out of pocket for medical care in recent months. Things are moving in a good direction, and I'm excited to see what kind of mentorship and advice I can get from people who have been through the ringer.
Phew! Sorry for the long-winded intro, but I'm looking forward to trying to get this SOF thing figured out, in terms of where I might fit best. I honestly think I'm a better candidate for a Civil Affairs type of job than anything, wherein the majority of the work to be done is of an intellectual and interpersonal nature, but I also have strong interests in medicine and law-related MOS's, which dovetail with my education and specialties in IP law. Anyhow, if you read this whole thing, thanks for your support and kindness, and feel free to offer any suggestions. I know that SF wannabes like me tend to be special snowflakes, and I claim no exception, but I think it's how that can be harnessed that's the most important factor. Anyhow, I hope my enthusiasm hasn't earned anybody's scorn just quite yet. :)
