Of Scholarships and Military Service

[jackofallgeeks]

So, a little background. I'm a Navy Brat -- my dad graduated from the Naval Academy in Annapolis and has spent the last twenty-three years or so working in Submarines. My entire childhood was spent moving around every couple of years, and for a long while I was seriously interested in joining the Navy myself. In the end I decided I wasn't too hot on the idea of moving around my entire life, though sometimes I've rethought that choice. If nothing else, I'd be in better shape. (I'd argue that I'd hardly be the man I am today if I'd gone there rather than here -- if anything were different, everything would be different. But that's a whole 'nother consideration.)

When I came to school, I was considering an English Major. Unfortunately, my interest was in etymology and semantics, and all it seems English Majors did was analyze literature, which still leaves something of a bad taste in my mouth. So, I decided to go with a recently developed interest in Computers. I've never been one with great career-oriented ambitions, and really have only been interested in getting a Nice Job so that I might support the family I hope to have. As long as I worked with computers, I'd be happy, and I had little inclination one way or the other WHAT I did. Since this last summer, though, I've found I'm really interested in Computer Security. I did a little work with it at Davis over the summer, and I'm taking a course in it now.

This set us up for what I meant to mention earlier: I have just been pointed toward a potential scholarship for graduate school, focusing on Computer Security. If my application gets through and I make the cut, it would be two years of free tuition, plus $30,000 a year salary, an almost-guaranteed Security Clearance, and a guaranteed (read 'mandatory') job for two years after the program. It would be at the Naval Postgraduate School, in Monterey California, but it's EXACTLY what I'd be looking for -- free graduate study, a security clearance, and concentration in something I'm really interested in.

-laughs- The military may have me yet, ne?

Comments

[tzohekiti.livejournal.com]

lets hope not. I've had enough military to last me several years thank you. Besides... Cali is too far away!

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the support.

I'll still be a civilian, just under the employment of the Military (which I hear is one of the best ways to play the game). And even if I did join the Navy, it's not like you would have anything more to do with the military. you're fooling yourself if you think I don't currently hold any affiliation. And as for distance... -shrugs- It's the Age of the Internet. odds are that our interactions wouldn't change much regardless of if I lived two hours away from you, or 37.

[tzohekiti.livejournal.com]

well lets put it this way, as long as you dont go through bootcamp, I'll be cool with you. The issue is that I dont want you so far away. You give good hugs! (and cyber ones dont count :-p)
I think you should do what makes you happy, so if you want to go into the program, go for it, and kick the butt!

[thismortalquill.livejournal.com]

a civilian, just under the employment of the Military

I've met a number of contractors (aka non-military employees, and they all say that it's a fantastic gig. It sounds interesting, and who knows, California might agree with you.

A bit late...

[dikaiosunh.livejournal.com]

... but I think what you wanted to be was a Linguistics major.

[jackofallgeeks.livejournal.com]

I've actually heard that a couple times before, and what I've heard tends to make me think I agree. However, I wasn't aware of Linguistics as a Major, nor did any of the schools I looked at offer it, so it's a null point.

But, as it is, I do like what it is I've chosen, generally, so I'm content.

[thismortalquill.livejournal.com]

Doood. You have to go to Monterey and play with the sand squirrels. They're big like cats, and nearly as friendly.