Frogman80, San Diego Visit – 05/05/2009 

I wanted to share my recent experience while visiting San Diego with my wife. As the result of a diverted 10 day cruise to Mexico due to CDC concerns over the developing Swine Flu situation, our itinerary was changed, thus no port of calls south of the border. What a blessing! Why, well yeah, it was a bummer not getting a little more sunshine after a hard winter in the PNW and winding down from a grueling trade show season. The blessing was hooking up with frogman80 on a complete dart throw and his cordial, accommodating response.  

I rang frogman80 from our ship at 8:10 inquiring if he knew the NAVY was giving tours of the USS Ronald Reagan or USS Nimitz as they were moored directly across from the cruise terminal. I left a message and no sooner walked back in our room when my cell rang. It was frogman80 returning my call. I explained our situation regarding the diversion and asked about the Carriers in port and possible open house or public tours. The response I received was well beyond anything I had dreamed of! Frogman80 offered to pick my wife and me up to give us a look around the area with a personal tour─not my intention to say the least. Honestly, I felt a bit uncomfortable feeling like we would be imposing on him, as it was a work day. Frogman80 insisted it was his pleasure to do so and really wanted to have the opportunity to meet us. Well, how could we pass that up? 

We met at 9:45 and had a grand tour of San Diego Bay and the area Naval Operations. My wife and I had the opportunity to see things many folks do not get the chance to experience. We visited most of the operation areas on North Island including the BUD/S training center, (personal highlight standing on “The Grinder” and having a chat with the Senior Chief on duty), Carrier Group mooring and some of the NAS area. Since our host had a commitment with his second grade son at a school function that afternoon, (which we attended and thoroughly enjoyed!) and we had to be back on board for a 17:30 departure, frogman80 was apologizing for not getting around more and missing a Carrier tour. No problem! What a day and what a host! My wife is still talking about the “highlight of our trip” and what a superb day we had in San Diego AND what a super person we were in the care of.

Our son is enlisting in the US Navy later this summer to pursue a NSW position. Frogman80 has offered to host my son and me to make a personal visit to the various NSW facilities in San Diego. Trust when I say the US Navy has in frogman80 an individual of complete integrity, passion and is an outstanding ambassador to assist young men on their journey to serve our country. Without question, we have made a new friend and extend a HUGE thank you to the LCDR for his thoughtful and cordial gesture giving up his day to show the parents of a future US Navy Sailor around the area. 

One other detail of note. I’ve been a member of NSC since late last summer prompted by my son’s interest in pursuing a career in the NAVY and NSW. I find the information to be useful in helping him to establish a career choice and truly appreciate the resource. You all are great in providing and giving good information. I learn something every time I log on which isn’t too frequently as my work occupies an enormous amount of my time. Personal time is pretty limited due to extensive travel and balancing personal aspects with career duties. Sound familiar to many of you? I travel extensively worldwide in my work. I am blessed to work in a field that I truly have a passion for and, well, many guys would do pretty much anything to have my opportunity. I didn’t get here by way of anything less than hard work and focusing on a goal. Let me explain. For you younger members, I hope you find something of interest in my words.  

Early on and at the young age of 23 my occupation was that of a custom framer or carpenter. My dream was to be a custom home builder. I was injured doing a side job for my uncle and lost everything I owned, house, savings and the lot. I had no insurance so personally suing my uncle to recover losses from not being able to work was out of the question. After two major lower back surgeries and a fair amount of hospital and convalescing time, I had to start over. I went from making $300-$400 a day as a custom framer in So Cal to $6.50 an hour in a retail job. One day the door opened for an opportunity to go to work as a sporting goods distributor sales rep. I ran through that door of opportunity and never looked back. I was challenged to the max. Me, a sales guy? Come on, I’m a framer!  

My account list was comprised of customers that no other rep wanted due to poor credit and low sales volume. The sales territory had turned over four sales reps in less than three years. The new job became a sink or swim proposition in short order with no real direction from my manager other than a case of catalogs and customer listing with a day and half of “training”. Now don’t get me wrong, my manager was a great guy and had given me an opportunity to change my situation. We’re still good friends today.  

I spent many nights and worked 16-20 hour days trying to figure out how I was going to make this work.  Since I was making less by the hour than the $6.50 at retail and with a new baby on the way, I was being challenged to find a way to make this work and quick!  Many days in the beginning I felt like a fish out of water. How could I make such a different and drastic transition? I’d get home at ten or so and work until the wee hours of the morning─get up and do it all again. I did it through discipline and applying the principles I had learned from playing football and working with guys that that had developed the same tenacious spirit I had to succeed. We were winners on the field and off. We never gave up and through diligent hard work won championships. Focus, never quitting and plain guts got me through.  

The end of my first year as a rep, I was the company rookie of the year with sales exceeding 5 times the previous years numbers. I felt pretty good about that accomplishment and especially after figuring out how to make the transition by applying learned principles. Funny how many basic principles apply in different "life" situations? I focused my energy on how past experiences related to selling and building relationships. I applied it and learned from it. This is a simple premise but believe me when I say it is not easy! It takes dedication, motivation, resolve and complete concentration. Manage these principles and you win.  

Twenty five years later I am the global sales manager for the premier manufacturer of shooting sports products that produce sporting rifles, custom ammunition and reloading components. When I was 21 years old I never dreamt of being in the position I am today. Was it luck?  

My definition of luck is this –  

Luck is the end result of hard work through focus, commitment and discipline.

I have had the opportunity to hunt (my personal passion) worldwide with my work; meet some great people; make many friends and most importantly stayed married to the same lovely lady for 29 years who has put up with my extensive time away from home and family.           &n bsp; 

So why all of the personal bio? To all of you members that wish to pursue a career in NSW or any branch of the military, pay special attention to frogman80's blogs. You will find similar or parallel strategies for success.  He offers wise words and advice. How does the correlation about his blog titled, “Flipping Hamburgers Can Help You Be a SEAL!” relate to you?  Think about it.  

Any discipline offers opportunity for success by doing things right and then doing the right thing.  

Ask questions and then listen intently. Use your resources. To be truly successful in life, understand that the SEAL credo of "The only easy day was yesterday!" holds a tremendous deal of meaning and applies to all in search of excellence regardless of the endeavor.  

Years ago when I first broke into the construction trades, I learned from one of the best roof stackers (framed roof structures not trussed) in So Cal. Roof stacking is some what of a lost art today. This was a guy that had been there, done that when it came to building. His name was Hank Smith, master framer and in my eyes the god of all things that could be tamed with a SKIL saw. I made the statement one day while learning a particular (and quite interesting way to use a SKIL saw with the guard wired no less which by the way, I DO NOT recommend unless you know the proper application and method as there is a trick to this) technique to make a certain cut. I told him, “Hank, you know everything.” Man, you would have thought I had just hauled off and laid a right hand hook on his jaw! He stopped in the middle of the cut, stood up and turned around with complete fire in his eyes. Hank went from easy going all smiles kinda guy to Marine DI in a nano-second! “Buddy, let me tell you something. The day anybody thinks they know EVERYTHING is the day they need to quite and pursue another career. I NEVER quit learning, I NEVER quit listening and I NEVER quit working to do my best. DON’T ever say that again or you’re done!” Lesson learned and from the Master of all things SKIL saw related. The whole point of this example is simple in that even skilled craftsman never stop learning to become better at their craft. They work everyday at it. Yep, understanding frogman80’s “Flipping Hamburgers Can Help You Be a SEAL!” and doing it right has rewards in life’s lessons and applications.  

Apply yourself, manage your attitude and never give anything less than striving for excellence. YOU will find personal and shared rewards beyond your wildest dreams. 

God bless,   

bulletguy51         & nbsp;