Serving my country has proved to be the most rewarding career I could have imagined. Being part of an all-volunteer army that transformed itself from a Cold War-era deterrent force to a flexible, adaptable expeditionary force has been an amazing journey.

Truly it has been quite a playing field for personal growth and development.

Although the long deployments, planning and training exercises, and military education have cost me valuable time away from family and home, the experience and perspective I have gained have made me a better leader, father and husband.

My memento is the collective experience that has provided me with skills I am able to use even in my job today at Boeing.

Little did I know when I joined the Marine Corps that it would be the foundation of a lifelong career in aviation. I served in the Marine Corps from June 1987 to June 1992. I was an electrician for EA-6Bs, Northrop Grumman's electronic warfare and attack aircraft.

One day while on a launch at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in North Carolina, the engine of my aircraft failed to start. Missing a sortie was never acceptable. From the small pouch I had on my belt, I pulled out my handy-dandy little jump wire, about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long, and hot-wired this big Marine Corps jet.

I still have that pouch and the wire. It was one of my proudest moments as a Marine.

Crime, espionage, terrorism and subversion are not 9-to-5 activities, and neither is the job of investigating possible violations.

I spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, 15 of which were in the Office of Special Investigations. My memento is my badge and credentials that I carried while on active duty. Looking at this memento reminds me of the courage, devotion, tireless service and sacrifices of our military men and women. Without them, we wouldn't have the freedoms we enjoy.

To borrow and add to the motto of the U.S.A.F. Pararescue team, "That others may live—free." That's what my military service means to me.

The greatest memento from my military service has to be my shadow box. Historically, shadow boxes contained sailors' keepsakes from their time in the service.

My shadow box—a ship's wheel—is a snapshot of 26 years of service, dedication and loyalty to my nation. Each article inside has a special meaning or brings back a memory of a time that will forever hold a place in my heart. Promotions, duty stations, deployments and positions held are all visible in my wheel.

My first duty station in the U.S. Air Force was on the island of Okinawa, or what we called "the Rock," in Japan. We worked days and days of 12-hour shifts in preparation for inspections. We did what was necessary to accomplish each task, even if that sometimes meant doing things that might not make a lot of sense to others. I learned that it's important to put the needs of the mission ahead of my own and that what I do makes a difference.

When I speak to other veterans and members of the military, I feel a sense of pride and camaraderie, of community and belonging. The hours we've served working toward a mission forges a bond that cannot be broken.

My memento from the Rock is a gold charm that is shaped like Okinawa with a Japanese torii gate and Ryukyu dance hat on it. These symbols are part of my history and connect me to Okinawa: I spent more than six years on the Rock, lived less than five minutes from U.S. Army facility Torii Station, and watched my Okinawan friends perform traditional Ryukyu dances.

Not only do I feel a continual sense of pride knowing that some part of my military service made a difference in world affairs (Cold War) and provided assistance and freedom to others (Desert Storm); I also feel a sense of fraternity with everyone who has served.

The greatest memento for me is walking through the factory every day and passing by the F-15 jet fighters being built for the future, knowing that my U.S. Air Force career was almost entirely spent being a Flightline Avionics Technician on these great fighters! Who could ask for more?