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such as personnel and equipment. My career started at LacklandAir Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. This was the first time I wasever away from home, which made me feel excited and sad at thesame time.My duty station was at RAF Mildenhall, which is located in themidlands of the United Kingdom. This was truly an experienceanyone would love to have. I learned many aspects and customsof the European culture. I quickly learned to adapt while stationedthere. I was deployed to different locations, including Germany,Doha and Africa. This gave me exposure to other cultures and letme experience other customs and ethics.During my time in the service, I learned and experienced manythings. The military has helped me become the person I am today.My maturity level and discipline have been greatly influenced bythe military. During my time in the service, I was diagnosed witha medical condition that affected my digestive tract. In 2007, I wasforced to retire from my career earlier than expected. Regardless ofthe situation, I am grateful for what I have experienced and gainedfrom my time in the service.AshleyHasert2013 LDRSHIP Award RecipientU.S. Air ForceCarrington College CaliforniaPleasant Hill, Calif.Veterinary TechnologyCollege experienceFrom the time I was in high school, it has been drilled into me justhow important it is to have a college education. In today’s society,if you want to have any shot at a successful career, you are going tohave to attend college, whether it’s a vocational school or a four-yearuniversity. I chose college because I want to be the best person I canbe as well as an example to those around me. Carrington Collegeoffers one of the best veterinary technology programs. They set youup for success by providing you with the knowledge and skills toperform the job as a professional. I’ve also received many hoursof hands-on training through the various labs and clinical rotationsincluded in the program, which is one of the many reasons why Ichose Carrington College. Knowledge is power. It truly is.Military experienceI joined the U.S. Air Force on Jan. 23, 2007, as a security forcesmember. At the time, I had every intention of gaining as much lifeand work experience as possible, because when I separated, I wantedto work for California Highway Patrol (CHP). I was too young atthe time to apply for CHP, so I thought what better way to mold andprepare me for law enforcement than to join the military. My firstassignment was Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota, which is thepolar opposite of my hometown in Southern California. While I wasstationed there, I experienced some of the coldest winters of my lifewith temperatures reaching as cold as 45 degrees below zero. I wasalso able to obtain my Associate degree in criminal justice duringmy off-duty time. The Air Force is a huge advocate for educationand provided me with the tools I needed to become a successfulstudent. However, my most memorable experience in the militarywas when I received orders to Balad, Iraq, in 2009.Most would have thought that I would have been scared to go overthere, but I was just the opposite. I was so excited that I was giventhe opportunity to serve overseas for my country. It was one of themany reasons why I joined in the first place. It was also one of thegreatest honors of my life to be able to serve with my fellow servicemembers in a combat zone.Shortly after separating in January 2011, I started working as afederal police officer on Travis Air Force Base in California. It wasthere that I decided to no longer pursue a career in law enforcement.I had another passion in life, more of a childhood dream, and thatwas to help animals. I could not be happier with the decision I madeto pursue a career in the veterinary field and wouldn’t be where I amtoday if it wasn’t for the military.IvanOchoa-Chacon2013 LDRSHIP Award RecipientU.S. Air Force and U.S. MarinesAutomotive Training CenterWarminster, Pa.Collision Repair TechnologyCollege experienceMy name is Ivan Ochoa-Chacon. I attend Automotive TrainingCenter (ATC) in Warminster, Pa. My experience at ATC hasexceeded all the expectations I had when I enrolled. The faculty andadministration go above and beyond to make sure the students aregiven every opportunity to succeed. The equipment we use at ATCis state-of-the-art. Our instructors are very knowledgeable and takethe time to make sure all students understand the material taught inthe classroom. So when we get out in the shop, we are able to putour knowledge to work on vehicles.Subscribe at www.CareerCollegeCentral.com | 23