I served in the United States Marine Corps for nine years. During that time I earned the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Navy Achievement Medal and the Good Conduct Award (two devices). I graduated Parris Island and headed to the Armed Forces School of Music where I graduated at the top of my class and was given the opportunity to choose wherever in the world I wanted to serve. I chose Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While there I was the Honor Grad at NCO Academy and was also selected as "NCO of the Quarter - First Marine Brigade," which represents a third of the Marines on the island. I was meritoriously promoted to Sergeant and not long after I headed back to Virginia where I served at the School of Music as a Drum Instructor for a period of five years. For six of the nine years I served, I also attended night school and that's how I earned my Bachelor's in Business Administration. Durig the time I was in, I enjoyed it immensely and I keep in touch with many of those that I taught and served with during my enlistment. My experience in the Corps taught me the difference between a manager and a leader. It also taught me the value of a solid work ethic and the importance of a maintaining a motivating work enviornment by being professional and an enthusiastic team player. I strive to apply those lessons today in the work I do as a developer.