Hey, step in soldiers and soldier wanna-be's...this is the Hammer's Castle Barracks. In a prior life I was an Army Officer, in fact I had a full academic scholarship to Duquesne University, a prestigious private Catholic institute of higher learning.

Duquesne was a great school but the Army made it possible -- like most private schools it's not cheap -- so I owe Sam for that.

The Army tells you they're going to instill things in you like leadership and dedication and that's all true but a lot of it has to come from inside you. Like anything else, there are lots of bad Army Officers out there but as a rule many of the friends I made there are still close to me today, so that says something.

While I was stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA, home of the Signal Corps, I made some good friends and met my now ex-wife. Don't ask. :)