What I’ve Learned: Leif Hart

Photo By Cpl. Thomas Mudd | Lance Cpl. Leif Hart, fiscal clerk, Combat Logistics Company 13, participated in many re-enactments from the pre-Civil War era in his hometown and also enjoys learning about and using computers.  

MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, UNITED STATES

02.10.2016

Story by Cpl. Thomas Mudd 

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

Lance Cpl. Leif Hart, fiscal clerk, Combat Logistics Company 13, participated in many re-enactments from the pre-Civil War era in his hometown and also enjoys learning about and using computers.

>Growing up I participated in many re-enactments mainly from [the period] just before the Civil War. I learned all sorts of skills like blacksmithing and how to fire cannons.

>The group I did the re-enactments with was really good at being realistic. There were times we were told not to do certain things because people thought it was real.

>I also spent a lot of time camping and doing landscape type work. I learned how to make my own canoes and be all-around outdoorsy. It’s fun and I have always enjoyed being outside.

>My father was a photographer. Growing up I was able to learn a little about Photoshop and other programs that would help my dad’s business. I guess that was the start of my work on computers.

>I did very little on computers while I was young. My parents thought there were more practical things to learn from being outside than being on a computer. However, I lived in a college town so there were plenty of other places that had computers for me to use.

>When I turned 13, I really started to love computers. My friends who were more into computers would teach me all sorts of cool tricks to make computers run better. [They also taught me how] to read computer code so I could create things like webpages and game servers.

>One of the reasons I like computers so much is because I’m able to receive instant gratification for my work. When you type a bunch of code and a webpage is created instantly it is really cool to see. It makes me feel like I’m in "The Matrix" or something.

>I used to build computers out of parts that were thrown into recycling bins from the college students. At one point my school replaced their entire computer lab and I was able to pull all sorts of parts and monitors from them.

>I made friends with people taking advanced computer classes and learned so much about the different uses of computers and how they work. I was able to set up my own email provider from my basement. I also ran four or five game servers from computers I built from recycled parts.

>I joined the military to see more of the world. Joining the military taught me new things while having the opportunity to explore new places and meet new people.

>I haven’t really had the opportunity to experience much of the Marine Corps but it’s been a great experience so far. I want to see where I can go with the things I learn from my time here.

>I have only been here at Twentynine Palms for about three months. What’s funny is my first impression of this place was, “This is a little bit like home.” There are roughly the same amount of people on this base as there are in my home town and most of them are around the same age. This base reminds me of a college town, except everyone wears the same clothes.

>I want to make the most of my time here. I would like to see some of the places surrounding the base. Getting camping gear and taking a weekend away from base would be a great way to see what else the area has to offer.

• Date Taken: 02.10.2016
• Date Posted: 02.10.2016 13:07
• Story ID: 188482
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA, US