Self Settling Into Civilian Life
Local marine, Kently Self is settling into daily life in Northwest Arkansas after accompanying high-profile politicians around the globe. The 2012 McDonald County High School graduate is looking into real estate and business.
Kently Self is really glad to be back home.
After traveling extensively with fellow Marines to accompany high-profile politicians, Self is happy to be back in Northwest Arkansas.
About this time last year, Self was holding doors for incoming and outgoing United States presidents.
The 2012 McDonald County High School graduate was officially named a sentry, but his duties were more extensive than that.
At that time, his family members said they could not speak specifically about his job due to sensitive security measures.
During the 58th Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C., Self was stationed at the Capitol building’s side entrance and opened the door for then President Barack Obama and President-elect Donald Trump when they arrived.
After the ceremony, Self opened the side entrance door when President Trump accompanied former President Obama out to Marine One, and was stationed at the door when President Trump re-entered the Capitol.
Now, almost a year later, Self downplays the honor. He was used to traveling and accompanying the President, the First Lady, the Vice President and other high-level personnel.
The day of the inauguration was a very long one, he said. The Marines involved in the ceremony had to awaken at 2 a.m. that morning, then weren’t able to get to bed until the next night at midnight, he said.
When Self joined the Marines, he entered boot camp in San Diego, Calif. After completing boot camp, he traveled to Virginia for about two months for other training before being stationed in Washington, D.C. He quickly rose to the rank of Marine Corps Sergeant in just four years.
Self served in the Marine Corps for five years. After choosing not to renew his enlistment, he came home in June.
By August, he had enrolled at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Ark., decided to pursue a business degree, started a construction business with his dad and brother and is entertaining the idea of investing in real estate with a buddy of his.
Getting acclimated from a regimented life in the military to a great deal of freedom in college was somewhat difficult for Self.
He found himself going to college with other freshmen, but at a younger age. He experienced a bit of culture shock and felt his life, at times, was pretty surreal.
“Freedom can be a good thing or it can be a bad thing,” he said.
He tried to lay low for the first month, thinking it would ease the transition. After 30 days of taking it easy, however, he threw himself into various activities.
To balance his life, Self continues to set priorities and stay organized.
He takes his cue from a book about keystone habits which focuses on maintaining certain practices. By upkeep those foundational blocks, other good habits will follow.
Part of those foundational blocks for Self includes working out at the gym daily for an hour and a half.
Now, back home, he misses certain aspects of the military life, including the people with whom he has lasting relationships.
But with a newfound interest in business and real estate, Self feels he has found his new niche.
His new location — a long way from the District of Columbia — allows him to see family all the time.
“It’s great to be home.”