Figuring out what the fuck I want to do with my life.

[thepnutgallery]

So, I need to figure out what the fuck I want to do with my life. It's not that my life is bad right now, by any means, but what is decent at 24 is not so decent at 42. I'm working on The House, and on another show that is just in the conceptual stages, and if either gets picked up, then I have no worries. I need to decide what to do in the meantime, or the aftertime, for when the run of these things is over.

The main thing I'm considering, and I know it's kind of radical, is joining the Navy and going to Med School. I'd want to be a Urologist/Andrologist, but I imagine that decision of specialization comes much later. Since I already have my degree (doesn't seem to matter what it's in), I could probably go through Officer training, instead of Enlisted, so I would only be away from Rocky for about 5 weeks, and I would try to get it done in January or February, so as not to miss any shooting from The House.

Would it be the one, true path for my life, that would completely satisfy all of my expectations for a job in life? No, but what would? Would it be a livable, respectable, professional career in a topic that fascinates me? No more calls, we have a winner.

I know there's a big elephant in the room that I haven't mentioned, but I don't think it's going to be as much of a problem as you might think.

Still need to talk to my Pa about this, and see what he says.

Comments

[lizetta.livejournal.com]

I will tell you that from my own observances, the military will tell you that you will be trained in a certain field just to get you to sign up, and once you've signed up, they can send you to whatever school they feel like.

You would also have long deployment, even the medical folks get sent on those. I suppose the big elephant is your sexual orientation, but a bigger question to me is, are you willing to fight in a war? And since Navy docs also work for the Marines, you're chances are pretty good of being sent to a very dangerous place.

Have you talked to Wayne about this? He might have some insights. Im sorry if this reads like I'm pooping on your dreams, but I do want to be sure that I voice my concerns.

[npgmaverick.livejournal.com]

IT KUH YOO GAAAAAAYYYY

[scixual.livejournal.com]

Last I knew, they weren't taking anyone 24 or older unless they were in a "needed" field. That may have changed, I enlisted in '93.

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" has made things WORSE for gays in the military, alas. Finding your LJ is sufficient "evidence" to start an investigation. And people "accidentally" find that stuff all the time. And yet, if they need you, they'll keep you in.

Let me tell you this: Being in the service has its ups and downs. Being in the service when everyone in charge of you disapproves of you is HELL. You'd be surprised what they can get away with through a sort of "if you complain, you might win your case, but life'll get worse for you in the meantime (and it may take a few years, even if you have less than a year left to your enlistment)" sort of blackmail.

...and with lowered standards in the past few years, you'll be serving with the worst people ever since the draft. And Sailors have a lot of homophobia, as they are perceived as the least macho of the services -- that's why they fight, bully, whore and bash more than anyone else.

And all that gets WORSE, not better, once you leave boot camp, where they are closely watched to maintain correctness, discipline and regulations.

So, consider me a recommendation against.

Although there ARE folks that have had a radically different experience from my own and those I have witnessed. Seems to depend a lot on where one is stationed -- which they tell you is picked according to your own preferrences, but emphatically is NOT.

[ladyadry.livejournal.com]

I once had a long conversation about officer school with Beau (Pixie's hubby) and while I can't remember the particulars right now I do remember it was a very informative conversation and if you can't get ahold of Wayne I'm sure Beau would be very happy to have the conversation with you. They will be at Rocky on Friday.