 Self served our country for 25 years in the United States Army, the same branch of the military that his father had served. In fact, he was born in a military hospital during his father's service. His service took him to Europe, the Middle East and the Pentagon, where he worked on the most sensitive military programs. Upon retiring from the Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, he was elected county judge in Collin County, Texas, serving three consecutive terms before retiring in 2018.