I enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 18 and went straight to bootcamp upon graduating from high school. A few years later I found myself stationed in Japan having the time of my life. After three years in Japan, I finished my active duty commitment to Uncle Sam and had a big decision to make: To remain long-term in Japan, I needed a work visa. To get a work visa, I need a four-year college degree. The only problem was I had only completed two years of my undergraduate degree while on active duty in the Marine Corps. My goal of living long-term in Japan was about to slip through my fingers.