Dating : The Pentagon

Arlington, Virginia

I was young and inexperienced during my early twenties. So, like an idiot, I resigned from my U.S. Government job. After I quit, I started looking for jobs with contracting agencies. I was hired by Consolidated Analysis Center, Incorporated, well known as (CACI). They hired me to work for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) at The Pentagon, which is the headquarters for DOD.

DOD is America’s military defense agency; therefore, I will not discuss the work I performed.

However, I will reflect on two amazing sights at The Pentagon.

A Brief History of Me and The Military

Since I was desperate to move out of my neighbor (hood), I contacted a military recruiter so I could join the military. If enlisted, I would have selected the army branch.

Simply put, I flunked the military entrance exam by…three points!

My ego was shattered, of course.

The military was not my destiny.

My First Day at The Pentagon as a Civilian Contractor

The first day I walked inside The Pentagon, the magnificent structure was enormous on the outside and inside. I was awestruck.

It was difficult finding offices inside The Pentagon, I became lost a couple of times. And the corridors are extremely long.

From my standpoint upon entering the marvelous architecture, my eyes were fixated on the men and woman bustling through the long hallways. Each of them was wearing the various military uniforms that they were allied with…the army, the navy, the air force, and the marines corps. It was a spectacular vision.

At that very moment, I wished to join the United States Armed Forces. I wanted to be whatever they wanted me to be…a secret agent, a double agent, or a spy mistress.

The work experience gained at The Pentagon improved my maturity, confidence, and higher level of knowledge.

What I learned while working with military men and women is that they are of formidable intelligence and tenacity.

Directly after my contract ended and I bid farewell to everyone, the next day, the 911 terrorist flew an airplane into The Pentagon.

I wondered if I would have still been inside the building or in the parking lot getting into my car on that horrific day in America’s history.

“We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated.” (Maya Angelou)