smshep01@yahoo.comIn 1993, he left for boot camp in Orlando, FL where he eventually went to Construction Mechanic “A” School for 13 weeks to train as a Navy Seabee. After school, he was attached to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion One, the first and the finest, out of Gulfport, Mississippi. He deployed four times and made E-5, but never pinned it on due to separation leave, within 5 years. He also received a Navy and Marine Corp. Achievement Medal for his hard work in Rota, Spain turning around the shop from 55% availability to 98% availability as well as reduced costs by over 25%.
After being Honorably Discharged from the Navy, Stephen went to work for various forklift dealers; working in the shop as well as in the field on diesel, propane, gasoline and electric forklifts. While doing this, Stephen obtained his Associate's Degree in Computer Network Administration at Daymar College and is currently working towards a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Technology.
Stephen was also a volunteer firefighter for over four years with Lyndon Fire Dept. in Louisville, Kentucky, while working full time and going to school. After almost a year of fire schooling, he became a firefighter, helping many in need.
Stephen now lives in Fort Sill, Oklahoma with his wife, who is an active-duty medic with the Army's 4/3 ADA. While in Oklahoma, he was a stay-at-home dad until he found work as a Parts/Service Manager for Shoppa's Material Handling, a Toyota forklift dealership in Wichita Falls, Texas. He is currently in charge of all parts, service calls, rentals and three technicians.
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