I’m a 1st Gen American with trouble learning traditionally. I learned through art. I can still remember the amazing interactions I had with my childhood teachers good and bad. I attended an Agriculture Vocational High School in the city. My learning disorder was never identified I thinks its because most of my education was hands on. I was an at risk teenager looking for a way out. Knowing absolutely nothing about the military, I joined the Marine Corps. I definitely would have chosen Job Corps if I knew about them. I have developed the skills to be a carpenter apprentice. Years later after coming back from Iraq, I visited my high school to appreciate my instructors they where all great. From all the conversations the most enlightening was with my 1st period geography teacher. I appreciated his work and pointed out to him that turning off the lights for the slideshows every morning made it hard for me to stay awake. My instructor became very emotional and with teary eyes valued my input. His assumption was that I was under the influence. I realized how this was more than just classroom feedback. I understood how it could be a misunderstanding. I pointed out that I never did drugs. I had to re-iterate it because it didn't seem convincing. I have a father who would come home under the influence and it's something I hated. I completed my 4-year enlistment contract and was looking forward to finding a job and going to college. I wasn't able to find a job because my military experience did not connect to the jobs I was applying for. College was a waste of money. There weren't any genuine veteran transition programs or advisors available to guide me through the best path. Veteran programs for job and education assistance started years after my benefits expired. During those years I have been searching for a lifelong career. Something that will help sustain me financially and help me with my projects. I’m am very thankful that I have the resources now to help me find what I’m looking for. With in the last few years I have been learning on my own how to build computers and use software for content creation and visual effects. My plans were to have my render farm ready in the beginning of 2021 and will be rendering in the Winter. It’s still a work in progress and am very fortunate to have the resources to search for support and opportunities such as THU.