Darren Whiting is a veteran, a father, former business owner and a student enrolled in Bakersfield College’s industrial maintenance program.

Whiting, 45, enrolled in the program through employers training resources.

Having retired from the U.S. Army after 17 years of service, Whiting originally wanted to enroll in the welding program, but the program was full.

However, Whiting isn’t upset by not getting into his chosen program.

“I’ve always been into construction. I like to build stuff. I’ve done a lot with wood; I want to do more with metal. I’d like to build bikes. I like motorcycles,” said Whiting.

Whiting is no stranger to construction, having said he has worked in the field several times throughout the years, at one point opening his own construction business and eventually selling it.

Born in east Los Angeles, Whiting was the son of a single mother who had him when she was 16. “Even though I’ve made several attempts to escape from Bakersfield I always come back,” said Whiting who moved to Bakersfield with his mother at the age of 7.

Whiting did not always dream of working in construction.

“I used to want to be a cop for the longest time in my life. And the more I got to know cops the less I liked cops,” said Whiting. “Being that I’ve been in the military for so long. The military’s motto is lead by example. You do the right thing, you wear your uniform properly you treat people properly and you display that behavior to your troops – to the people you are leading around. You lead by example – you be the shining star. Show them how you want to behave. Cops don’t do that.”

Although he no longer desires to work in law enforcement, Whiting said he worked as a correctional officer for the Mesa Verde correctional facility before returning to the military in the 90s.

Whiting said his time in the military not only changed his view on careers. It also changed his view on life.

“I have a different outlook on things than a lot of people do because I’ve really had to – I think – had to work hard for what I have. I have respect for other people, and I have respect for other people’s belongings. That’s something you don’t see a lot,” said Whiting.

After serving for three years in the early 1980s Whiting moved around the country working in a variety of job fields before returning to the military in the 1990s.

Whiting served in Kuwait and Iraq after the September 11 attacks in 2001. “I did three years in tank. I did three years in infantry. Worked as an armor, worked on weapons, worked as a supply sergeant, went to sniper school, went to medic school. Worked as a medic for the last five years or four years,” said Whiting. “My time in the military was fabulous. I loved it. Even when it was the worst it was good.”

While a military man for most of his adult life, Whitening has found the time to start a family. A father of three and on his second marriage, Whiting said he has been married to his wife of 11 years, who is currently attending the University of Phoenix full-time as an online student.

Since both are currently focused on education, Whiting said that both he and his wife are unemployed. Whiting is looking forward to returning to the working world. “I got my first job when I was 12 years. I’ve always felt that nothing’s free. There’s no free handouts in life.”