Blogs for your consideration...

Over the years, I’ve been asked a lot of questions pertaining to my military career. From “Have you ever killed anyone?” to “Where have you been stationed?” and everything in between. I even had a friend ask me vehemently why I would join the Army over the Air Force when I graduated high school (it’...

As a medical-type person (for clarification, I was a medical administrator), being certified in CPR came with the territory. Every two years, I’d be at my mandatory refresher training. People in the class varied in skill level and experience, from dentists to public health technicians to emergency r...

When I was a lieutenant at Ft. Stewart, GA, I was made to read Harvard Business Review’s Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey? I have since maintained a copy of it with me for over 15 years. Through this article, I have been able to see “monkeys” coming at me, and anticipate keeping them off my bac...

I have never received a formal “bonus” of any kind. I have watched soldiers and airmen piece together the first decade of their careers, one year at a time, with the hope of scoring $3,000-$5,000 bonuses for a three-to-five-year commitment. I have watched some physicians and intensive care nurses ea...

When I deployed to Iraq for twelve months, I primarily stayed at one location. When I did travel, it was by way of Blackhawk or Chinook. Some might classify me as a “fobbit,” someone that doesn’t leave the FOB (forward operating base). Still, even as a medical administrative officer, I had to prepar...

I recently read an article about an officer who was “forced” to retire from Active duty due to reaching the maximum number of years in his rank, but was able to extend his overall service by transferring to the Reserves while teaching at West Point. The Army moved him to his “final” location, but up...

A few days after the 4th of July in 2024, one of my commanders was hit and killed in a freak car accident. Brigadier John Pogorek was the commander of the NH Air National Guard and he was a fantastic person to work for. Pogo, as he was often called, was one of the most down to earth, caring, and hum...

I treated Army basic training like a very serious game. There were things you did and did not do. Anyone who has been blessed with this type of experience knows the objective; break you down and then build you back up again. Depending on what phase of initial training you are in will determine the l...

Take 1:

I know exactly why I joined the military – to kick down doors and take names, but I knew I wouldn’t stay in for long… or so I thought. From a young age and a critical childhood illness, I knew my future belonged in medicine. My time in the military would merely be a selfless detour on the p...

I love to plan. I always have. When I was in middle school, I was planning what classes I might want to take in high school. When I was in high school, I not only dreamt of my potential future aspirations, but I backwards planned what college courses and tasks I’d need to complete to meet the requir...

I thought entering one’s forties was a big deal, but I think the Army has got me beat this year. Turning 250 years old is something that should invoke a great deal of reflection, appreciation, and honor. As time progresses forward, the ability to remain useful and relevant seems to peter out as fast...

Whether it’s my own adult sisters, neighborhood kids, or white-collar professionals, I have a hard time fully explaining what it is I do in the military. It takes real effort to try and translate my regular everyday title to a civilian equivalent, let alone trying to explain the multiple other parts...