| Author | Message | ||
     Stingaroo |
Yes, it is true, this scarred up fella finally got a job! Well lets start with some quick background info. Joined the PA Guard shortly after graduating HS in 1999. Worked on a farm (same one I have been helping out on since I was 11) till 2001, then the world changed. Played Army seriously from Jan 2002-Aug 2002, Sept 2002 started college at Indiana University of PA. Feb 2005 had brain surgery for a massive bleed, lived, got over depression, extended with the PA Guard, deployed for Katrina for 30+days fall of 2005. Graduated College with a BA in History May 2007. Promoted to Staff Sergeant (Fire Support NCO with 2-112th Inf) April 2007, was at Fort AP Hill for .50cal training 15-28 May, SCU training June, FT AP HILL supporting 1-108th FA July-August, Stryker Phase III Sept, BNCOC Oct 2007. Applied at 15 museums when I got back in Oct, shot down by 13. They did not have the money, were not hiring, I did not have the experience, etc, etc. Applied at 2 restoration shops, but alas, they refused me. I was down and I was out thinking nobody really wanted me. One nite, I was drinking a few beers talking about WW2 vehicles at my buddies place. A guy came up and started BSing with me, said he worked for BAE Systems, and they were hiring. I asked what they do, he explained they build military vehicles/refurbish ones coming back from Iraq/training/etc, and I thought what the hell, give it a go. Well I went through all the procedures, the Wens before Thanksgiving, and did not hear back for quite sometime. I got a phone call starting out with "May I speak with Brian Cessna" me-"this is him" "this is Dr. ....... from BAE Systems, I see that you have had brain surgery. This maybe a problem..." me-"....really....." So I told him the whole story of how it happend, etc. He asked if I had any problems/restrictions (energy, lifting,stress). I replied that I reenlisted in the military, never failed a PT test INCLUDING the year I had surgery, I am in pretty good shape. He said OK you should be gettting a phone call soon... a week passes.... few more days.... Last Wensday I get a call, "Mr Cessna you are hired, when can you start?" Me-"after I am done sanding the car in about two hours..." "ok how about Monday Dec 17th?" Me, yeah about to scream "...ok..." Beer fridge got empty that nite. So today I showed up and started out the orentation day. I will be working 2nd shift rebuilding M-2 Bradleys as an Assembler II starting out at $20+/hr. In 30 days I will have health insurance, dental, eye care, be a member of a Steelworkers Union, be able to start saving some money! Sometimes even a man genetically programed for the wheel of misfortune has a little bit of luck... Brian Cessna | ||
| Etennuly |
Congratulations man! It is great to hear that someone is recovering from the doldrums where life sucks for so long you forgot how things should be. | ||
| Dbird29 |
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| Ft_bstrd |
Awesome dude!!!!!! There is nothing worse than being jobless and nothing better than finding your place in the sun. Man needs work. Of course, I will never think of you without seeing:  "Got laid off when they closed that asbestos factory, and wouldn't you know it, the army cuts my disability pension because they said that the plate in my head wasn't big enough. Every time Katherine revved up the microwave Id piss my pants and forget who i was for half an hour or so." | ||
| Iamike |
Congrats- A regular paycheck is always a nice thing. | ||
| Bigdaddy |
Congratulations Brian! | ||
| Swampy |
Congratulations! And thank you for your service to our country! I truly appreciate it! Oh yeah, time to change your profile! | ||
| Bartimus |
congrats Brian! See, things are looking up! Getting married, got a good job, ya ride a Buell, got great friends... Heck, what more could a man want? Glad to see things are going your way my friend! Bart | ||
| Prior |
Brian, Glad to hear it all worked out. See you in a week or so for a congrats beer. | ||
| Nillaice |
cngrat's, bro keep this good thing going! (Message edited by nillaice on December 18, 2007) | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Wow Man!! Officially an employed taxpayer!! Benefits, payday..you don't owe me any money do you? Sounds like this gig doesn't have a whole lot to do with history. That's okay man, you can just make your own; you've been doing pretty good at that so far. Carry on!! Rotzaruck!! | ||
| Torquemonster |
Sounds like an awesome job! Gainful employment will work wonders for you. Im finally teetering on an opportunity myself. What a feeling! Congrats, man. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
awesome stuff, Brian, all the way around - congratulations!!! FB&D  | ||
| Ulywife |
Excellent news Brian! Congratulations on the new job. | ||
| Stingaroo |
Thanks everyone. FT BSTRD that is one of the best scenes in the whole movie! Swampy, I will get on the profile change haha, and you are welcome. I would love to meet all the veterans, and current soldiers on this board someday. Bart, I got your picture, still looking sexy man. There will be some money being invested into my Cyclone, I can tell you that! Prior, thanks for the support over the phone man. I will get the taxi numbers lined up for our adventures... Rotzaruck, Uncle Sam was the ones to allow me to be the first in my family to recieve a BA. I love transportation, labor, and military history, maybe someday I will send you an autographed copy of a book I might write someday, haha. TorqueMonster, Keep the Faith, good luck! Its amazing what a little prayer can do... Jerry, sorry Kate and I were not able to visit this year. Once we start saving and have a few extra bucks, VA is on our list of places to go! Today and tommorrow we still have more safety briefs, Thursday and Friday I finally get on the floor to meet the crew I will be working with. I am freaking stoked! Working on vehicles protecting those who protect us is an honor. You know what the strangest part is? I work for BAE Systems, but crew a Stryker built by General Dynamics... Thanks again! Brian | ||
| Bcordb3 |
Brian - Great story, work hard and work safe. BTW: Merry Christmas and thank you for your service. | ||
| T9r |
Congrats, a great feelin'! | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Jerry, sorry Kate and I were not able to visit this year. Once we start saving and have a few extra bucks, VA is on our list of places to go! coolness, and bring that Prior fella with you - the first case of Yuenglings is on us. FB&D | ||
| Ulywife |
the first case of Yuenglings is on us. Carlos and I will bring the 2nd case! | ||
| M2statz |
Congrats!! Now it is time for Flogging Molly!! "In with the Whisky and out with the Gin!!!" | ||
| Ocbueller |
Brian, Cool beans. I just started a new job wrenching on cars and was very glad to be hired. A good job is good for the soul. I may not continue the bike shop this year, the rent is getting out of hand. Keep the good news coming. SteveH | ||
| Stingaroo |
FB and and Kristi, you guys should ought do that. Dangling Yuengling to Alex and myself usually makes up for an expensive tab...  M2statz, Flogging Molly is one of my favorite bands! (right behind Dropkick Murphys, the Pogues, Street Dogs etc) Kate is wearing my FM hat in my profile picture!(Hat was a gift to me from Prior) Steve, what kind of cars are you wrenching on? You still have the El Camino? You are not kidding, a good job makes you look forward to wake up in the mornings. I got to tell you guys tonite was awesome. I walked into the room where we were doing safety briefings all nite and there is this guy standing there with a beard, long hair all dressed up and what not. Well as soon as I walked in and sat down I hear this "Cessna you MF'n SOB, holly F#$% it's been F#$%'n years!" I stared at him for a while, and once I mentally removed the beard, and hair I finally recognized him. Here it was an old SFC I had served with (he helped me get the funding for college) that is a safety officer for an insurance company after he retired! We BS'd about life and things in general, last he heard I had passed away.He did not expect to see me in a million years! Well we had briefings till about 11, then I walked outside and wanted to go see the line I would be working on. I met a guy outside started talking with him, and he took me down to meet my superviser. Pretty squared away dood, met the guys on the line I would be working with, all pretty cool cats. I have one more nite of safety briefings, then Thursday I finally get to work on the vehicles. You know I thought about something while typing this. I have a passion for restoring vehicles, you know taking them apart, refurbishing/replacing/manufacturing parts, making them like new again. Maybe this job IS right up my ally after all. Good nite, gotta get up in about 6 hours run few miles, and split some firewood. Gotta keep my slim figure somehow! Brian Cessna | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
FB and Kristi, you guys should ought do that. Dangling Yuengling to Alex and myself usually makes up for an expensive tab... it'd be worth every penny, right Kristi? | ||
| Ulywife |
it'd be worth every penny, right Kristi? Absolutely - after all, you can't put a price on friendship, right? | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
i smell a BadWeB party brewing... | ||
| Ulywife |
i smell a BadWeB party brewing... Oh hell, the mountain may never be the same! Count us in! So Brian, how much vacation time do you get and when can you use it?  (Message edited by Ulywife on December 19, 2007) | ||
| Aeholton |
Terrific story Brian. Merry Christmas! | ||
| Ocbueller |
Brian, Working in a barn in the middle of farm country on mostly pickups and other farm equipment. Had to sacrifice the El Camino, but proud to say I've got 3 Buells and a Ducati in the garage instead. SteveH | ||
| Prior |
Glad things and falling in place with work man. I knew you'd fit in, and it's a great start. Brian and I have been known to put a pretty serious dent in a case or two of Yuengling, and I guarantee there are some great stories that are told in the process. It's an unfortunate thing, I have more vacation in the upcoming year than I know what to do with, so I need to get out for some sightseeing back east and will probably wander south as well. Jerry and Kristi, we'll be down to visit for sure! |
