I surprised a lot of people when I volunteered to join the Air Force in order to complete my internship and PhD in clinical Psychology. I knew going into it that I wasn't a traditional 'Airman,' but from all my years of working in the mental health field I'd learned that different patients need different therapists with different personalities in order to help everyone find a good fit. I hoped that I would find my niche and that I could prove myself.
As I went through training, I grew to love the tradition, the camaraderie, and the respect that I experienced as I served. I quickly decided that I was going to make a career of mental health in the Air Force. It would mean substantially less pay than if I were to pursue a mental health career in the civilian sector, but I was looking forward to seeing new places and most of all, I loved the patients I served in the Air Force--brave men and women who have been to hell and back and simply need to tell their experiences to someone who won't react in horror, repulsion, or disgust.
Something that I didn't grow to love was paperwork. All through grade school, junior high, and high school, I always struggled with completing homework. When I finally made it to college, I performed a lot better because the focus shifted to midterms and finals, and I've always tested well. But when it comes to remaining on-task and being detail oriented with paperwork and administrative tasks, I have to work doubly-hard.
Perhaps it was inevitable that I would get written-up for paperwork problems. Then during the remediation process that followed, my illustrious Director of Training (a 100-year-old civilian) repeatedly gave me wrong or incomplete instructions for what I should do to alleviate my supervisor's concerns. Despite her interference, I finally demonstrated that I was qualified to be an independent mental health provider at a nuclear weapons base. I was less than a week from moving to the new base when my Director raised concerns about how I had conducted research for my dissertation. After she presented her case to my other supervisors (using 'facts' about my past which were patently false), they voted to dismiss me from the internship. I followed due-process to fight the decision, which involved Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, and at least one Major General, from all over the Air Force coming to San Antonio to review my case.
Ultimately, the independent review demonstrated that my training had been deficient and the Director's remediation efforts had failed to follow due-process. Unfortunately, the review also decided that I was no longer considered a good fit for the Air Force. At this point, we are awaiting the Installation Commander's final stamp on my dismissal from the internship. Following that, I will most likely be dismissed from the Air Force all together. To make matters worse, I've been told by my professors at BYU that being asked to leave the internship will mean the end of my graduate program, with virtually no chance of moving my credits to a different degree or university. Bottom-line, I will not be able to complete my PhD.
So now what? Suzie and I are going to be teachers! I've always loved teaching, and I've had the opportunity to teach at Provo College and BYU, not to mention Sunday School and Gospel Doctorine at church. I've always enjoyed it regardless of the subject. My mom is a math teacher and Texas offers a teaching certificate for people interested in teaching math or science with relatively little time and expense. We're buying a new home in San Antonio, new schools are opening up in the area, and we like the city and the weather. I've got thousands of dolloars of knowledge rattling around in my head about the psychology of human behavior, and years of hard-won hands-on experience with the most difficult populations imaginable (mental patients, imprisoned sex-offenders, and BYU freshmen). Suzie and I will finally be able to spend time with one another after the workday is done, we'll have summers off, and there is very little risk that I'll be sent on a business trip to Afghanistan.
We're happy about where we're at, we truly feel the hand of Providence is at work, and we're excited to begin our next adventure. We are sincerely thankful for everyone who has expressed their support throughout this process. We love you all, and we're humbled to be surrounded by such wonderful friends and family.
Jared
Here is the yard plan that Tyler made. You might need a magnifying glass to see the labels. I think it's pretty good.
