I look at him. He looks at me. Springing up, we race against the inevitable devouring of the buttery, tangy garlic crust with robust marinara sauce and savory pepperoni. In a flurry of blankets, feet, and paws, I try to catch him, but at the first step of the stairs, my knee loses its strength. Suddenly, there is no floor beneath me and BAM! I am lying on the floor, ankle throbbing, and just out of reach is Bilbo licking the last morsel of garlicky goodness from his flews. My sweet little 15 lb Jack Russel Terrier, Bilbo Waggins has a penchant for pizza, and his small act of thievery caused four hours of surgery, thirty days out of work, six months of physical therapy and one ruined career.
Our race caused a snowball effect where I was told my body would never be the same; all it took was two plates, eight screws and an ankle I could not run on. With 10 years in the Marine Corps, I spent all my time in training and detachments, with missed holidays and family birthdays. At 31 years old, I would have to start over. I felt lost and confused. I was being tossed aside because the military cannot use someone who is broken. You had to be physically fit. I was unable to run, put weight on my ankle, and complete the standard fitness test, so I was considered ineligible for continued service. For the next year and a half of appointments and medical boards, I had to decide on a new career before I was ultimately let go.
I did not know where to start. Within my service I had experience with administration, coaching others at the gun range, and mechanics for jet engines. Transferring what experience I had left me with few options. I needed a job that was not physically demanding, removing my mechanic experience from the list. I needed to be able to support myself, ensuring my income was adequate which removed my range experience. I was left with the most boring option known to man, administration. There is nothing wrong with those who work in that field, but to me, it was mind-numbing work. I decided to start fresh and finish a degree in a field that I could physically do and love every minute.
 I finally had a plan, changed my degree plan to accomplish my goal of being a Librarian. No longer would I be called Sergeant Stricklin, but just another student completing my bachelor’s degree. I was going to surround myself with my love of literature and hope to inspire others to pick up the pages filled with stories and knowledge. In the meantime, I am using my administrative experience. I started a DBA (Doing Business As) to work part-time as a contractor for a logistics company. Though I worried and dreaded my departure from the Marine Corps, I found joy and determination to succeed despite the unknown. My days are no longer filled with dread or worry about the future, but with literature and numbers. Bilbo, along with my other animals, keep me company as I work from home and pursue my future career. He naps his days away dreaming of delectable pepperoni while I study.