I was born and raised in California. Joined the Marine Corps in 2006. My primary MOS was an airframe mechanic and aerial observer on CH-53E heavy lift helicopters. I was stationed on NAS JRB Willow Grove, located in Willow Grove, PA from 2007-2010. NAS JRB Willow Grove closed in 2010 and the squadron moved to Fort Dix, NJ. I did one combat deployment in 2009 to Helmand Provence, Afghanistan and an additional overseas tour to Okinawa, Japan in 2012. I finished my Marine Corps career in 2014 and ultimately stayed in PA to start a family.