Jacob,
I've been reading your posts from time to time and have given you small pieces of advice. Here's the best, and most important piece I have to offer you. Have you ever considered joining the military? I spent 6 years in the Navy, and I have friends that have been in every branch. They all offer incredible opportunities. You could be a welder, machinist, boiler technician, diver, mechanic, heavy equipment operator, or whatever you want to be. You are the perfect candidate. I mean that as a compliment. You are young, unattached, aren't in college and you have the desire to learn. That's the most important element.
They will teach you self discipline, organization, self control, attention to detail, respect for authority, and the RIGHT way to do things. They will give you the certainty of direction that you definitely need. In addition, you'll have a full belly, a roof over your head, money in your pocket every two weeks without fail, and the best schools in the world available to you. Remember the old slogan "We don't ask for experience, we give it. You won't read it in a book, you'll live it" It is absolutely true.
Of course, the military, like any job, will be what you make of it. Plenty of people go in and just bide their time, and come out 4 or 6 years later no better off than when they went in. Its all up to you. Make the choice EVERY SINGLE DAY to learn something new that you can use in your civilian life afterwards. With your living expenses covered, you could start a savings allotment to a special savings account, and you'll have all the money you need to build your dream shop when you get out. Four or six years seems like a long time right now, but trust me it will FLY by.
Make no mistake, in the military you will be hot, cold, and very uncomfortable at times. You will probably be in harms way at least once, and maybe many times. You will miss home like never before. Nothing in this world comes for free, (including the answers to all your questions) and that is the price you will have to pay. Just be a man and suck it up. You can do it. It will make you strong. You will gain valuable life experience, and will be given incredible responsibilities faster than anywhere else. You can get the best hands on education in the entire world and not owe a penny, and if you use the GI bill, a college education afterwards, bought and paid for!
If you join, and if you finish basic, and if you complete your enlistment honorably, you will have both an education and on the job experience. Beyond that you will have the pride of having served your country, and that is a very good feeling indeed. It is also something that NOBODY will ever be able to take away from you. I guarantee you will get a great paying job when you come out. Hell, I'll even give you a chance, and you can hold me to that!
Best of Luck,
Scott
p.s. This advice is for the rest of you young bucks out there too, looking for a little direction in your life.
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