My name is Neil Sullivan. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army Infantry, a husband, father, and grandfather. I graduated from Moline High School in Moline, Il. After high school I led a somewhat indifferent lifestyle while trying to figure out what to do with myself. Eventually I enlisted in the Army in an attempt to become a better person. During my 3 years active duty I was assigned to Ft. Riley, Ks with a brief deployment for Bosnia and Herzegovina during the SFOR 6 rotation. Shortly after I left the military I met my current wife and her 4 children. We were married a few short years later. During that time I returned to school where I graduated from Black Hawk College with the intention of transferring to the Business Management program at Western Illinois University. While studying that I became fascinated with Supply Chain Management. Eventually I managed to graduate with my BM in Business Management and a Supply Chain Management minor. After Graduation I worked as in intern at Rock Island Arsenal at the Directorate of Logistics where I managed the tracking information and at the time Material Safety Data Sheets for all hazardous materials brought on the instillation. I also applied to rejoin the Army and attend Officer Candidate School. Unfortunately, it was determined that I was no longer medically eligible to serve. By the time my internship expired I was hired for a 3 year term contracts as a Supply Technician at Bravo Company 84th Chemical Battalion training command at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. I really enjoyed working in this position since I was able to continue serving my country as well as assist in the training of future soldiers. I was also able to attain certification at technician and operations level HAZMAT responder. Alas at this point in time the Department of the Army decided it was time to start phasing out civilian personnel in positions that could be filled with military personnel and I was forced to seek alternative employment. I was able to find a great opportunity at the Iowa 80 Group. Iowa 80 is the world's largest truck stop in Walcott, Ia. I joined their management trainee program where I spent 13 months doing every job available at the facility. This type of training was essential to ensuring that regardless of what section of the company needed a new manager at the time of my graduation I would have a fundamental understanding of their operations. Upon completion of this program I was transferred to the Kenly 95 Petro in Kenly, NC which is another location owned by the Iowa 80 Group. Working at this location was a thoroughly enriching and rewarding experience. My supervisor here was a remarkable man who taught me a great deal about not only business but life and interpersonal relationships. The team assembled at the Petro was an amazing group of people driven to accomplish fantastic goals. One of the goals I was able to assist in was the expansion of the location from a 15,000 sq. ft. retail store to over 32,000 sq. ft. Eventually though all good things must come to an end. After leaving the Petro I spend some time at home caring for my grandson and working on my fiction writing. I was able to publish a short story, but I am struggling with the next installment and the novel that will expand the world I created. Since I needed an income while doing this I started to drive for Uber. These are still my primary methods of income at this time, but I look forward to spending more time outdoors since Covid has forced me to look for other opportunities.

Here is a place for all of us apprentices to ask each other and any experienced outdoors people for help on nearly any topic. Please keep them related to the outdoors. You must keep them respectful and appropriate for even children. Violations of these rules will lead to deletions and banns!