Steven Bauman

After 22 years in the army, I felt lost returning to civilian life. But between my never-ending quest for knowledge and education, the skills I’d learned during my time in the military, and the support of my wife, I discovered a fulfilling new passion. Leaving the army isn’t as simple as turning in your two weeks notice and clearing out your desk. It took closer to two years before I could hang up my fatigues. I was in the trenches until the last moment. When the orders did come down the line, everything happened suddenly. I was in Afghanistan when I got a tap on the shoulder, telling me my time was at an end. From there, I was flown back to Venice, Italy, where I was stationed and where my family was living. We packed everything up, and 11 days later, I was a civilian in the states, wondering what to do with myself. I’ll be forever grateful for my time in the army. It taught ...