More of a "see you later" than a "good-bye"

[cz_squishy]

In 2 weeks I'll be on a plane headed towards San Antonio, TX where I will be broken down and rebuilt by the US Air Force for 2 months. After that (if I get selected) comes SERE, Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape, where I'll be learning how to survive in any climate, backpacking with 70 lbs through rough terrain up a mountain, POW training, and other survival things.

Mapping was my life, I lived and breathed it. I still remember every map I opened up and started to make even from my early Call of Duty days. Through every map I started I learned something new and I am still learning every day and I have you guys to thank for that. The next time I'm near a computer with time I will definitely finish the map that I have been working on for 2 years, which like me has gone through many changes.

Like many teens and young adults I didn't know what I wanted to do with my life, that is until I found you guys and wanted to become a level designer at Valve or some other company. After high school I attended UC Merced as a Computer Science major but ended up getting kicked out for failing way too many classes (spent too much time mapping lol). So I moved back home and attended a community college near me still with the hopes and dreams off becoming a level designer.

In the summer of that year (2011) I got a job at Internal Drive Tech camps where I was an instructor who taught kids and teens how to make games. Originally I was supposed to teach the Source engine but was assigned to teach 2D game maker and Neverwinter Nights (both which I never had any experience with). It was a fun experience and it got me into mapping more than I was again.

By my third semester in college (Fall 2011) I was bored out of my mind. School was boring and I lost all motivation to go to classes or do any work/studying. I knew I needed a break from school after about 15 years of it. So around I talk with my parents about joining the military, marines and army is an immediate no go and my only options were air force or navy. I chose the air force because of the number of jobs and didn't want to be out at sea for extended periods of time.

That day I met with a recruiter and got all the information I needed. I took the ASVAB a few weeks later and scored high enough (93 out of 99) to get any job I wanted. At first I wanted to be a computer tech since I loved working with computers but then my recruiter told me about SERE and I instantly changed my mind, growing up I as in the Boy Scouts so I loved all the outdoor stuff so I knew it was the right job for me. After that I took a physical test and passed so I could qualify for SERE. Over those next few months I had to gain weight and get in shape. When I went to get my physical at MEPS I weighed 122 lbs (55 kg) at 5'8" (1.72m) but now I'm around 140 lbs (63.5 kg) and can run 10 miles.

I'll be back and mapping in about a year if everything goes to plan. I will try to drop in if I can every once and a while if I get the chance. Hopefully HL3 doesn't get released when I'm gone.

-SQUISHY

[skoften]

Good luck! Wish you all the best. Don't turn into a proffesional killing machine for the russian mob after you are done but pick up mapping again. And don't worry about Half-Life 3, It's not coming for at least 5 years

[cz_squishy]

Don't turn into a proffesional killing machine for the russian mob after you are done

You know too much, you're first on the list

[Captain Terror]

Good luck at this crossroads in your life! Drop us a line when they let you near a computer again

[Armageddon]

Good luck, and all that. This is a sure sign that EP3 will be released while you're gone.

[zombie@computer]

goodbyeee!

(awesome people will get it)

[Dives]

Bon voyage, and best of luck in your future endeavors.

[jangalomph]

Good luck!

[nub]

The Air Force should open a lot of doors for you in the future. I've heard a lot of good things about it from people I know who joined. Stay strong and best of luck to you my good man.

[stoopdapoop]

intense.

I guess we'll see you when you return.

[Jordash]

Cya!

[PhoeniX1992]

I loved my time in the Air Force, good luck mate, and hope to see you back soon here!

[cz_squishy]

I loved my time in the Air Force, good luck mate, and hope to see you back soon here!

What was your job?

[PhoeniX1992]

I loved my time in the Air Force, good luck mate, and hope to see you back soon here!

What was your job?

I started at the Royal Militairy Academy to become a CIS (Communications and Information-systems) Officer in the Air Force, never finished it though. It was a four year study and I quit in the second year.

[Black_Stormy]

I hated my time in the army and am much happier to be out. The advantage is that now I know how good I have it and just how bad it can get. Everyone's experience is different though, and I hope you are able to ride the highs and endure the lows. See you post-ep3