AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Most military members have the common goal of wanting to enlist into the ranks of one of the world's finest fighting forces -- the United States military. Whichever service they choose, a sense of accomplishment is felt by those who have completed the tasks asked of them and graduated from boot camp. That same sense of extreme success is exactly what one sailor from Electronic Attack Squadron 142 feels on a daily basis.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Christopher R. Monnone, an aviation ordnance technician with VAQ-142, was recently accepted into the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal School after training exclusively for a chance to attend for nearly a year.
Monnone completed boot camp approximately two years ago and had wanted to pursue his dream of becoming an EOD technician since then.
"I had always wanted to be EOD, ever since boot camp, because I thought it would be a great experience and challenging," said Monnone. "But back then I wasn't physically fit enough to complete all that it demanded to even get selected for the program."
During the last year, Monnone decided to take charge of his life and change some habits to help accomplish his goal.
"Last deployment while I was out here, I was smoking, I was overweight and I realized that if I didn't change some of my habits, then I would never get to accomplish some of the goals I had," said Monnone. "So I literally woke up one day and started running, Forrest Gump style, and I haven't stopped since. I started running with a friend, and I quit smoking because it wasn't helping me. Now I'm one of the fastest guys in the command."
Indeed, running has been a source to get Monnone physically fit and prepared for his upcoming school.
"I've used running as my drive, especially here in Iraq," said Monnone. "I've been able to push myself beyond what I normally would have, and I've been able to identify and learn the difference between pain and injury."
The drive that Monnone has for accomplishing his goals is carried over to his work, and his peers and superiors recognize his determination.
"He's motivated and never slacks off," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Jonathan Robinson, ordnance leading petty officer for VAQ-142. "Even when adversity is slapping him in the face, he turns the other cheek and fights that much harder for what he wants. I have nothing but confidence that he will excel with the EOD program, because he has the heart and drive to do so.
"I think of one word to describe him, paragon, because he's exactly that, a model of excellence."
Working within the ordnance field has prepped Monnone for what he feels like will be an easy but still challenging transition to the school house.
"My passion and interest has just increased even more because of the fact that I have worked with ordnance for the past two years," said Monnone. "It's just another way, the next level for me to continue pushing myself, and I'm confident that I will excel."
Monnone knows he's completed the first step toward his goal of becoming an EOD technician, but knows the road ahead will be a challenging one.
"When I think of how much work, dedication and heart I've put into just preparing myself to get selected, I know I won't just give up, and that's why I'm so confident," explained Monnone.
Monnone said he reminds himself daily of the sacrifices and pain he has endured the past year just to get the opportunity to attend the school and feels that it has all been worth it.
The Houston, Texas, native used negative comments to push him to excel and prepare himself for the challenges that lay ahead.
"I had so many people telling me I couldn't do it - that it would be too hard - and sometimes I think when people are discouraging you that much, you drive that much harder to succeed. I used negative energy and turned it into positive determination."