Path to Recruiter

Working for Harvey

The last Friday in January 2009 my boss Steve at Baker Concrete decided to let me know that due to company cutbacks 30 of us working on the tower would be laid off. At the time I was an assistant field engineer laying out the columns for the 4th floor of a new 17 floor condominium tower inside 610 loop of Houston TX. "Hey Levi, this one's not up to me, if it was up to me I'd keep you around. But Kevin (his boss)  is forcing us to cut people and you've only been here for 6 months." Yep, once again I'm looking for a job and just plain frustrated with life. Less than 2 months ago my life was turned upside down with a call from Glen Brannon about his daughter Jana. That's her story to tell, but suffice to say that her story of determination and strength in times of incomprehensible evil is worth a read. It might also help understand alot of the decisions I made in the past 18 months. But before we get into the why of joining lets back up 5 months before December.
July 2008 my dad, my brother Luke, and myself were all laid off from Harvey Builders. At that time I had spent hours staring at the Navy website, talking to friends in my life about the pros and cons of service, and praying for some sort of direction in my life. October 2008, after I had already started working for Baker with some old friends, I attended SETTD #5 a three day men's retreat where on a prayer card I wrote, "New boss, better working conditions at the job, NAVY." The prayer cha there came up to me after reading the card and asked if I was in the service or thinking of joining, I answered no but just wanted him to pray about it.
No one in my immediate family for 2 generations had ever served, no other homeschooled student I grew up with joined. It just wasn't the thing to do, or so I had thought. So why did I worry about it? How come every time I was down on my luck did Navy come to mind? Why Navy? Why not Army, Air Force, or Marine Corps? Well those questions still remain unanswered but in the hearts of some boys there is a festering desire to serve his country that will either be squashed through peer pressure or explored. This homeschooled boy who worked hard every day since he was 16 who was frustrated with his church, town, friends, and just life in general decided to explore a long hidden desire of wearing his country's uniform.

NRS Tomball office, FC2 Smith's desk is the far one on the right.

February 2009....After looking for work only to be denied and continually trying to "follow the rules" in a relationship with a girl he was hurting for; a very over opinionated, cocky, hurt, and ungrateful boy (and I emphasize boy) walks into a Navy recruiting office. "Can I help you," asked the 2nd class Petty Officer Smith. "Yes, I would like to enlist..."

 *Note* This blog is a personal endeavor for Levi to help him understand what the Lord is doing in his life. He writes sometimes in third person and then switches to first person, that's just my style. I'm endeavoring to be honest in this record just for personal reasons. If I'm ever to be accused of being an honest man or a politically sensitive, I'd rather stand guilty of being too honest. I could write pages of pages of back history on each of these paragraphs, however this blog is specifically the last 18 months so I'll strive to keep the story there. If she ever reads this, I love you Jana...

Preface

What is the purpose of blogging?
The first time I ever read an internet blog my reaction was the same as when I first heard of social networking sites; "what is the point?" Maybe its because the majority of my childhood did not center around electronics and the first time I ever used the internet was at the age of fourteen that my mindset towards blogs was negative. Aren't blogs for overweight people without a social life to either vent and fume their extreme political and religious views or to flaunt their over rated nonexistence? But that's why the good Lord saw it fit for an over opinionated boy to be placed in the most patience testing rate in the armed forces.
After being locked down in Dahlgren VA with nothing better to do but write I discovered that these online tools can be very helpful in recording and remembering personal history; among other things. Maybe if there is enough time and resources to do so, my family history will be recorded as well. Many times in the past I've picked up a journal and attempted to write only to be distracted with the normal routine of life. Perhaps this blog can fill that void and desire to write and share the wonderful things the Lord is doing with this homeschooled sailor.
How many times has anyone wanted to know what happened to their close relatives and couldn't find a record? How many times do we want to know a soldiers story and experience of service over seas and there isn't one except for the tainted political versions we read on the news? How hard would it be to write one's story if for no other reason than to recall and enjoy one's personal experiences?
Therefore, since Divine Providence sees it fit that this over active, energetic, and social sailor be attached to a remote command with 6 hours a day with nothing to do but write, I will write. This blog will be a detailed honest account of the past experiences, fortunes, misfortunes, laughs, and cries of the past 18 months since my decision to join the United States Navy. If no one reads this blog or if no one finds it worthy of reading that's okay. This blog is for the future generations of the Bullen family and what one of their ancestors did for his savior and his country.