Frank’s Narrative.

My name is Frank and I attended the course about three years ago. My background is a Navy diver so it is quite a jump to PSD type operations.

I actually had a difficult time cracking into the industry post graduation. In retrospect, it was just one of those things. It wasn’t that the Center didn’t support me, because they did. Shawn flew up to my home once just to spend a week reviewing all the options. So the bottom line is that it took a bit longer than we all thought it would. The lesson here is to never quit trying, because since I got my first assignment I feel like I have been living on afterburner ever since.

My first assignment was to Iraq, starting on convoy escort and PSD operations. It didn’t take long to move up. Shortly thereafter I was offered a position in Afghanistan, based upon my performance in Iraq. Only difference was that I was promoted very rapidly and went from entry level to shift supervisor to project manager in a matter of months. Most of the necessary skills I needed were drawn from the planning techniques I learned at the Center. Logistics and Operations Orders are the way up, not your marksmanship, though that can certainly be critical!

I was the project manager for the poppy eradication program in Afghanistan, practically within gunshot range of the Iranian border. It made for some rather exciting times. Another hitherto unknown advantage was my physical complexion. A bit of sunshine and a beard and I am able to resemble the average Afghan. In one of the photos you can tell I am the Westerner by the badge hanging around my neck but that’s about it.

The net result is that I spend a lot of time in what would classically be called “undercover” operations. It’s a pretty crazy existence, and one that quite frankly I have come to love. The industry is challenging, and though I have met my share of idiots like everybody else, I have not a second’s regret in starting down this road.

As of now, I am currently back in Afghanistan, just having arrived after a short time at home. I think I can do it in another 6-12 months. By that I mean if all goes well, I will have made enough in 4 years to retire.
I am returning as a Project Manager, again, and am actually looking forward to it. It’s a nice feeling to know you are making a difference.

I think sometimes with the Center you learn just as much about yourself and what you are capable of as a person as you do about the industry. In both cases, the learning curve is near vertical.

In conclusion, I would say that the more you put into the program, the more you will get out of it. And laugh when you can, because it gets a lot worse in the real world post graduation and you need to develop the right mindset from the beginning. Later, Frank.

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