MONROE - Peter Kind completed one career and has started another.
The Monticello resident spent more than 20 years in the United States Navy as a pilot. He has started a second career in law.
His wish to serve his country led him to the armed forces, Kind said.
"I went into it thinking that I wanted to serve my country, but I wanted to do something unusual," he said.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, he joined the Navy and was a commissioned officer. He flew missions during Desert Storm and Operation Freedom.
During his career, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Navy Commendation Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal and was named Carrier Aviator of the Year.
Kind and his family, his wife, Shari and their children, Stephanie, 20, Melanie, 17, and Austin, 11, traveled around the country.
After 22 years in the Navy, Kind decided he wanted to settle in one place and spend time with his family. His career took him away from his family for months at a time.
In May 2001, he was allowed to leave the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln early to spend an extra couple of weeks with his family. Shortly after he returned home, he saw President Bush land on the carrier to proclaim "Mission Accomplished."
"I watched it on TV," he said.
After he left the Navy, he and his family settled in Green County because they had ties here. His wife is from Monroe. She is the daughter of Ann Babler.
Kind decided to go to the University of Wisconsin Law School.
It's been difficult, he said, to balance his family with school. He's hoping to complete his law studies early so he can start practicing law.
This summer he was given an opportunity to work for Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer as a full-time intern. He gets university credits for th einterneship, but he doesn't get paid.
"In a one-judge county; I get a chance to see a lot of cases," he said.
Kind has seen everything from a murder trial appeal to traffic court, he said.
Kind also wanted to get an idea of whether he should practice law in Green County or go to Dane County. He's leaning toward Green County, he said.
"I've enjoyed meeting the attorneys and working with Judge Beer," he said.
The Monticello resident spent more than 20 years in the United States Navy as a pilot. He has started a second career in law.
His wish to serve his country led him to the armed forces, Kind said.
"I went into it thinking that I wanted to serve my country, but I wanted to do something unusual," he said.
After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1983, he joined the Navy and was a commissioned officer. He flew missions during Desert Storm and Operation Freedom.
During his career, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, a Navy Commendation Medal, a Navy Achievement Medal and was named Carrier Aviator of the Year.
Kind and his family, his wife, Shari and their children, Stephanie, 20, Melanie, 17, and Austin, 11, traveled around the country.
After 22 years in the Navy, Kind decided he wanted to settle in one place and spend time with his family. His career took him away from his family for months at a time.
In May 2001, he was allowed to leave the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln early to spend an extra couple of weeks with his family. Shortly after he returned home, he saw President Bush land on the carrier to proclaim "Mission Accomplished."
"I watched it on TV," he said.
After he left the Navy, he and his family settled in Green County because they had ties here. His wife is from Monroe. She is the daughter of Ann Babler.
Kind decided to go to the University of Wisconsin Law School.
It's been difficult, he said, to balance his family with school. He's hoping to complete his law studies early so he can start practicing law.
This summer he was given an opportunity to work for Green County Circuit Court Judge James Beer as a full-time intern. He gets university credits for th einterneship, but he doesn't get paid.
"In a one-judge county; I get a chance to see a lot of cases," he said.
Kind has seen everything from a murder trial appeal to traffic court, he said.
Kind also wanted to get an idea of whether he should practice law in Green County or go to Dane County. He's leaning toward Green County, he said.
"I've enjoyed meeting the attorneys and working with Judge Beer," he said.