"Miss Exben, no college degree, no previous law enforcement experience. Spent eight years enlisted in the US Marine Core, ranked as a staff sergeant, specialized in artillery and hand to hand combat. Participated in off duty boxing matches, won most of them against fellow male recruits, highly recommended by your commanding gunnery sergeant, and not a single spot on your record." The director of NCIS set my file down and placed her hands, one over the other, on top of the paper work. "You also come highly recommended by your father. Your application states that you applied to the Virginia Police Academy after being dismissed from rehab. Why did they turn you down Miss Exben?"
"On my last tour in Afghanistan my unit was ambushed. While shielding a fellow officer who didn't take cover I sustained serious injuries from shrapnel in my lower back. The doctor in Kuwait said that I would never walk again. But after nine months of physical therapy I'm good as new. The Police Academy declined my application because of my previous injury and didn't think it would be wise to take on such a broken candidate. But, since going through rehab I haven't had any problems with keeping my physical condition as high as it was when I was in the core."
She smiled and picked up another stack of papers. Before I was graced with the honor of getting an interview with the director I already had to go through many other obstacles. The first was my psychological evaluation. The second was my firearms qualifications. The second was the easiest. I was always better at handling weapons than handling people, but my confidence in both tests showed.
"This is by far the best firearms qualification I have seen in many years Miss Exben. Our psychologist also gave you a high evaluation. No signs of post traumatic stress disorder, no problems with authority, above average observation skills. There isn't a single reason in either of these tests to say I shouldn't make you a probationary agent. The only concern I have Miss Exben is the relationship you have with one of our current employee's."
"My father and I know how to place our personal lives outside of the work place. I can almost guarantee that he will not give me any special treatment if I am placed on his team."
"Miss Exben, usually I am opposed to the idea of keeping secrets in the work place, but the kind of gossip that the situation could start isn't something I'm sure either of us would enjoy dealing with. I am going to hire you, but I would like your word that outside of your fathers' team, you keep the number of people who know you are related limited."
"You have my word mama."
"I expect you at 0720 tomorrow morning. I will have to file the paper work, but you will need to come see me to pick up your badge and your firearm. Welcome to NCIS Miss Exben." She rose from her chair and extended her hand. I gladly took it, thanked her for the job, and promised again to keep my word on our agreement.
She wished me a good night, and I returned the favor, before leaving the room. There were very few agents in the building on a Sunday afternoon. I knew by tomorrow things would be hectic, and I couldn't wait. I had a hard time adjusting back to civilian life after rehab. One of the hardest thing was finding a job where I wouldn't lose that feeling of having a purpose like I did in the core. My father understood that, and after my failure to stick with college and secure a job, he offered a helping hand.