[mleigh74]

My name is Michael Leigh and I am a prior service combat engineer. I am currently 33, and living in Austin, TX. Prior to going on active duty as a combat engineer I was a part of the 19th Special Forces group and was a party of their pre-sfas team for about a year while attending college at Fairmont State, WV. I did attend their Pre-SFAS program in 1993, so if you were Camp Williams, Utah for the A.T. at this time I was one of the guys getting smoked and doing the Fred Sanford shuffle. As fate would have it my father got my grades (girls and booze took precedence over books and teachers at 19) about the time I was finishing the Sand Babies and I was officially cut off financially. At the recommendation of my teammates I went active duty. Life quickly got in the way as my daughter was born at the end of my first contract obligation and I made the decision to get out and go back to school in 1996. I ended up getting masters degree and started working in civilian Information Operations which I have done for about 10-years now. Yet a day doesn’t go by that I think about my missed opportunity and the guys I served with at the 19th group. Therefore I have made the decision to try to through my hat in the ring again. I have contacted my recruited and have started the venture for going back into the National Guard with the hopes to go through OCS, IOBC and SFAS. That is as far as I am going to plan out, as I do not want to get ahead of myself. I do have some preliminary work ahead of me as my feet are not in shape to be doing the Sandman or any of the grueling timed humps. Physically I feel I am all right except I am recovering from a broken wrist (Warning: If you enjoy Mixed Martial Arts make sure that if anyone leaves the cage that they lock the cage door). My hobbies are martial arts, working out, poker and offensive Information Operations. I hold belts in Tang Soo Do, Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I also practice Kali and Muay Thai.

Therefore yes I am making a declaration that I am willing to give up my cushy life in corporate America to go through some hell (which I truly enjoy) to regain a sense of pride and accomplishment. I know I will do fine in selection as where there is preparation there is no hesitation. My goal is to be in the pipeline within a month or two (wrist and MEPS permitting). I took a PT test this morning and on a broken wrist I score about 240 for 18-21 year old standard. So I figure with two months to be in the pipeline, OCS and IOBC I will be physically ready and a higher APFT score. As for mentally ready I am always a fairly confident person, but I am taking inspiration from a Niche quote I picked up out of ‘Man’s search for meaning’, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how”. Therefore those of you in the pipeline keep your heads up and stay focused on your goal. Those of you how are wearing the long tab thank you for your inspiration and your testament to providing foundations for success. Enough with the novella. Hope to speak with you all soon.