The Truth

I had a conversation some time ago in which a friend told me that she'd heard people doubting the veracity of certain things I've said about my past. I don't care about those people, but I do care about the trust of my friends. And I know that there's a difference between choosing to trust someone you love and having all doubt removed. Therefore, so that those who do care about me don't have to wonder on any level whether I'm actually just a big fake and a liar...

Basic Armor (Tanker) Training completion.

Forms showing my service in the Gulf War. I've highlighted the relevant entries.

Discharge from my Special Forces unit.

Police Academy diploma.

My deputization.

To make sense of the dates, the chronology was this: I joined the Army in '85 and served three years on active duty as a tanker. From '88 to '93, I was a reservist. I volunteered for active service in the Gulf War and subsequently served almost another year on active duty before returning to reserve status. While still in the reserves, I went to the police academy, then got a job with the Alamosa Colorado Sheriff's Department about the same time my reserve service ended.

Not that I ever brought any of it up to boast. Or that there's really anything to boast about. It's just my past, and it is what it is.