Blogs for your consideration...
Over 20 years' worth of observations, recommendations, and considerations on life, family, and the military lie within these narratives. Cheers!
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...
It feels like anytime I’ve asked a military mom about their kids, they lament that they have missed some sort of event, whether that be school drop offs or a baseball game, shrug and sigh as they say, “Mom guilt.” They sound defeated. When I ask dads about their kids, they beam with pride as they sh...
Since returning from Iraq, I had been re-assigned in the unit to serve as the operations planner when LTC Swartz took over. I had only exchanged a handful of words with him when he took command. Even then, I wasn’t a fan of small talk and there were only a few opportunities for professional exchange...
