Long Island Man Who Punched Snooki Joins Army

Sept. 8, 2010: Nicole Polizzi, better known as "Snooki" from the MTV show "Jersey Shore" sits in court in Seaside Heights, N.J. (AP)

Brad Ferro, the man who caused a large stir in reality television news when he punched "Jersey Shore" star "Snooki" in August 2009, has now made his next step in combat: He's joining the Army.

"My son made them famous," Ferro's dad, Dan, told the New York Post. "They made a lot of money off of him, and I think they owe him."

Ferro made headline news after feuding with Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi over drinks at a Jersey Shore bar, ending the fight with a blow to the reality star's face.

MTV's footage of the assault was removed from the Season 1 episode, but has since widely circulated over the Internet.

Ferro, 25, was fired from his job as a gym teacher at North Queens Community HS after the episode aired in December, and has had trouble finding work since.

"This kid has never been in any trouble -- ever," Dan Ferro told The Post. "Thanks to MTV, he got fired. Every other option he would've had got cut off. He still has college loans."

Out of career options, Ferro decided to join the military as a Cavalry Scout, where his misdemeanor conviction wouldn’t hold him back. He left for basic training in Fort Knox, Ky., last month.

"He lost his career and his pride and everything else," his dad told The Post. "But he's getting it back. You can't keep a good man down for too long."

Click here to read more on Ferro’s career switch from The New York Post.