I Met Them Briefly: memoirs (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781453665558)

I entered the U.S. Army in 1980 at the age of 22 after attending two years of college. My career goal was to complete my military service into my retirement. However, that goal changed as early in my military years, I was assaulted by an acquaintance in my on-job-training. I felt a need to be heard and found a way; I vented my thoughts in poetry. My Active Duty military service ended in 1984. I served my two years reserve duty under Active Duty with the California National Guard and ultimately, my service years were completed in 1986. Over the next years, I contacted the Pentagon, Oprah Winfrey and similar institutions of importance regarding my experience with the military. In most cases I received similar responses; my case would be reviewed. In reality, I never heard back from them. When my final termination with the military was coming to a close, I was not prepared to leave the military just yet. Being in a position where I could not return back once I left, I once again reentered the military after a 10 years gap by joining the California Army Reserve in 1997. Upon my return, many things had changed such as new equipment, new vehicles, but most importantly to me, more education in sexual harassment. I finally was able to complete my six years with the Army Reserve. In subsequent years, I sought help in victims' groups such as with the VA Hospital in Long Beach and the Sexual Assault Crisis Agency of Long Beach, CA (SACA). In addition, I spent one year as an Advocate Counselor for SACA. Today, I am employed in the mental health field and found renewed interest in writing and photography. As far as my work is concerned, I offer no solutions with my poems; I merely write the range of emotions that each human experiencing pain must travel through. However, I attempt to offer an important lesson which the reader can use to make sense of his own life and troubles; acceptance.