While in Air Force, I realized the IT field was the career path I wanted to take. After My 4 years was up, I set out to make it happen. I soon realized every opportunity out there wanted a certification of some sort. Being mechanically inclined, A+ was my way in. (Boy was it) I thought to myself wow that was easy so I signed up for another test to get my MCP. Let's just say it was a learning experience. Years later having my MCSE I look back and laugh at how easy I thought it would be. The company I started with was great at teaching. As long as it was on my time that is. All the late nights with servers down for a rebuild or just plain dead was my classroom. Even though I wasn't getting paid I knew the knowledge was priceless. It laid the foundation for pretty much the rest of my life.