What I've Learned: Jeffery Raynor

Raynor has been in the Navy for eight years and enjoys paintball, shooting guns and fishing. He is currently the religious program specialist for 1st Tank Battalion.

Growing up, my friends and brother played paintball. I found it interesting so I bought an inexpensive gun and started playing with them.

I have been playing paintball on and off for about five years, I picked it back up when I was stationed in Japan.

Paintball gets me out and doing something. It is good cardio running around everywhere and I get to hang out with some friends at the same time.

When I moved from Fort Hood, Texas, to Alvin, Texas, we played in pastures with paintball bunkers set up and that is when I decided to buy more durable paintball guns.

I enjoy going out and shooting guns too. The main weapons I use are my 12-gauge shotgun, my AR-15, and a Smith and Weston .40-caliber handgun. I’m saving up for my next gun, which is an M1911 handgun.

I started shooting while I lived in Southeast Texas. It was fun to see if I can shoot more accurate than my friends.

I also enjoy fishing when I have the opportunity. That hobby has to wait for later though, because there are not a lot of places to go around here.

I joined the Navy because I wanted travel and I wanted to further my education. In my small town, jobs were hard to get and maintain.

I have had the opportunity, to go to a lot of places since joining the Navy like: Japan, Quantico, Va., Thailand, Australia, and Korea to name a few.

I came into the Navy undesignated which is not having a specific job. I became a religious program specialist and I enjoy doing this job.

I have been in the Navy for 8 years. In two years, my contract will be up again. I’m at the point where I would be fine re-enlisting again. It goes by quicker than you expect.

My job is to integrate with the Marines and see how they are doing for the command. I get to go to the ranges with them and I get to know them.

The Marines I work with are awesome and they are eager to move forward.

When I go around checking on the different sections, I can see that these Marines care about each other and are willing to improve and learn. It’s a great thing to see.