I served in the United States Marine Corps as an Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist, working with Marine Special Operations Teams as an enabler. When I got out, I went to school at the University of Alabama. Going from the military to a college campus is a big change, and I was lucky to find other veterans who were going through the same thing.
The Campus Veterans Association
Serving on the board of the University of Alabama Campus Veterans Association gave me a way to keep serving. We helped student veterans connect with each other and with resources, and we put on community events like Operation Iron Ruck. I also had the chance to speak up for student veterans on things like education benefits. I learned a lot from the people I worked with there.
Life in Jacksonville
Today I live in Jacksonville, Florida (more on my path from the Marine Corps to Alabama to Jacksonville). It's a great military town, and it's close to the water, which matters a lot to me. I spend as much time as I can fishing and diving, and building The Calm Seas Project so more veterans and first responders can get out there too.
If you're a veteran making the transition, my advice is simple: find your people and stay connected. Feel free to reach out at gunning.rp@gmail.com.
