All About Steve

Yesterday, Steve started school.

It's a big deal. The last time he was in school was 1990, and frankly, he wasn't a fan of it back then. Since we've been together, whenever we discussed what he'd do after the Air Force, he was adamant about not going back to school for any reason. So, when he announced a few weeks ago that he had looked into attending a local college, I was floored. Then he told me that he was going to get a license as an Accounting technician! There was me, back on the floor.

It's a really good program, allowing him to go at his own pace, so he can take longer on classes that are more difficult or that are totally new subject matter and speed through the easy, general classes. And, he can test out of classes. In fact, he already tested out of Math and waived Interpersonal Relations due to military trainings he had taken and had certifications for. That's two classes finished before the first week is even over! He's also planning on testing out of a computer class on Friday. He's such a smartie!

He has classes Monday through Friday, from 8am to 3pm with an hour lunch. The classes are set up so someone can start any time and do the work at their own pace. An instructor is in the room during the class to answer questions and provide guidance. I'm still not 100% sure how the learning takes place - if it's all textbook-oriented or if there are video lectures that the students watch or if each class has its own format. Steve's first day consisted mostly of testing to see where he stood and getting his feet wet in the classes, so he couldn't really explain the class set-up to me yet.

The plan is for him to go full-time and be finished in 9 months or sooner. The school says it should take 9 months if he goes full-time, but that is with taking all of the classes for a certain time interval. He'll test out of a few classes and be able to finish others faster, so 9 months is the longest it should take him. The school has an excellent job placement program with 100% placement with this certificate. He'll also get help with resumes, interview skills, and other things to help him find a job when he's done with school.

If he really, really likes being an Accounting tech, after awhile he may go back to school again and get his Bachelor's in Accounting, but that's a ways off. Heck, he may like being an Accounting tech so much that he stays at it until the next time he retires! It doesn't matter to me, I just want him to like what he does. I just think it's funny that we'll both be in Accounting!

It's been almost 4 months since Steve retired from the Air Force (unofficially, that is). He deserved a good long break after 22 years of military service. I could tell, though, that he was starting to get ants in his pants. You can only do so much housework and puttering around the house before you're bored to death, and he was close to it. That said, I loved having him home all the time and got quite spoiled. He cleaned the house, did the dishes, went grocery shopping, cooked many of our meals, walked the dog, and even painted our living room wall! He ran errands and was always available when something needed to be done. It was wonderful! Sigh. I console myself with the thought that he's going to be more satisfied now that he's doing something away from the house, something for his future and our future as a family.

I'm proud of him.