I joined the Navy in May 2013. The main catalyst in my decision was I wanted to make it to Japan somehow.

As a long-time fan of Japanese video games, especially JRPG's of the 90s, I have dreamed of getting to one day visit the country. I have a big interest in the culture and have studied the religions of the east through my bachelor's degree in religious philosophy. I've been taking Japanese language lessons and have been hoping some day I might make it. As you can probably tell, I'm all about getting there to experience it.

Receiving specific orders to a place you want to go can be very difficult to get. They are called orders after all, not wants, so there was never any guarantee nor even significant chance I would see Japanese shores. Sailors can be stationed all over the world. You're mostly up to the whims of the Navy. For some reason--probably against my better judgment--I chose to take the risk and devote my next five years to military service in order to potentially make my dream a reality.

Turns out today I got the news that I would be changing stations to Yokosuka, Japan, south of Tokyo. It won't be temporary (as in a short time) orders either; I'll be there at least two years, upwards of three. I'm the happiest I've been in a long time, and I feel so fortunate. I don't even think I deserve all the good fortune I've received in the last year and half I've been in the Navy. Realistically, it's not all been positive, but the good has been worth the rest. I am loving life a lot more right now.