Blogs for your consideration...
Over 20 years' worth of observations, recommendations, and considerations on life, family, and the military lie within these narratives. Cheers!
Before I had my first child, I had never seen a woman nurse her baby in real life. Never. I was a product of the 80’s, when formula was the norm and breastfeeding was something just in the background. Breastfeeding a baby just wasn’t something I was exposed to, had any interest in, or knowledge abou...
The standards of the military are high and, sometimes, mysterious. If you’re not within a certain weight, you can’t join. If you don’t score high enough on the ASVAB, you have limited jobs to choose from. The military ultimately tells you where to go. Both leaders and faceless entities decide if you...
At times in my career, I felt like my pay was lower than what I wanted, but at least I could easily look at the military pay chart and project as to when a step increase was to be expected. It gave me something to look forward to. If I could work through a temporary frustration point or wait out a l...
People join the military for a variety of reasons. The military is full of opportunities and benefits, from free healthcare for those on active duty to traveling around the world. The military is rich in heritage and duty. Some people feel compelled to serve because there is a legacy of volunteerism...
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a person who incessantly complained about a topic you were positive or neutral about and then you started chiming in with agreeable rhetoric? Misery loves company. In many ways, sharing in a common experience can bring people together. And other ti...
If you’re reading this and you’re a non-commissioned officer (NCO), thank you. If you’re reading this and you’re a junior enlisted member or an officer, thank an NCO.
Time and again, I have worked with, learned from, and observed the true magic a good NCO can conjure. The names of generals line the...
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...
