He turned 18 the same week he qualified with the M16A1 Rifle at Parris Island; then he skipped a rank by becoming class honor grad at Navy electrician school in Millington, Tenn.
Now 44, former Marine Sgt. Eric Sword of Leesburg has been feeding his appetite for learning ever since – with no visible signs of slowing down. He parlayed his G.I. Bill education benefits into a bachelor of arts degree in information technology, followed by a masters in cyber security.
The married father of three makes his family the priority, so the hunting and fishing he loves is less frequent these days. But as an in-demand Lake County business owner (Eric Sword Heating and Cooling), the Leatherneck s time management skills are off the charts. Plus he carves out space for flying lessons (and expects to be awarded his private pilot s license within the next month or so).