Dear Reader,

 My name is Matthew Reed. I graduated from the Youth Challenge Academy in the fall of 2000.  Recently, I came across a web site with a few of the success stories that developed from young men and women like me that attended the school in the past.  I have decided that now would be good time to share my story.  After completion of the 22 week course, I enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard as an E-4 with F Company 131st Avn on Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, GA.   Because of my YCA experience I was prepared in the areas of physical training and military drill and ceremony. Upon completion of basic training I went to Ft. Eustis Virginia, where I obtained the rank of student 1^st SGT, and company commander of two drill competitions. I also received my certificate as an avionics mechanic along with my FCC license.

  My unit deployed in March 2004 to Kandahar, Afghanistan for 12 months. I performed my primary duties of flight line maintenance, and also performed several mission as a door gunner for which I received the combat air medal.  I continued to pursue my degree and returned home in April of 2005.  I became an Avionics technician for Lockheed Martin working on aerospace projects.  My services were also used by Black water security and the US Air force's Integration project.

   I completed my Electronics Engineering Degree a few months ago;   I am now The Senior Engineering Analyst for Northrop Grumman. I am responsible for test engineering, Non Propulsion Electronics onboard Virginia Class Submarines.   I attribute a great deal of my success to the men who pushed me to be great.  I owe a great deal of respect to the cadre at YCA, and to colonel Williams.  I can honestly say that without the second chance given to me by the Youth challenge academy I would not be where I am today. I hope everyone out there understands that "its not where we are going that counts, its how we get there that will truly inspire people".

 Thanks