Bullet shell casings fell from the sky as the sun peeked through the clouds, raining brass on our camouflaged Kevlar helmets like a hailstorm on a sunny day—a peculiar sight to see. I looked up in the sky and saw the outline of the black AH-6 little bird helicopter and thought, “this is what they me …

My first experience in understanding what it means to be a leader came as a result of my attendance at the Primary Leadership and Development Course (PLDC) or what is now referred to as the Warriors Leader Course (WLC). I attended PLDC in the summer of 2000, as an 11B Infantryman. By that time, I ha …

I remember the first military class I was ever called on to teach. Days before, my stomach was sick. I barely slept. It wasn’t the actual class that scared me because I knew the subject, it was public speaking and being judged by my peers. I was teaching individual movement techniques on the “method …

I served 20 years in the Army as a Psychological Operations Specialist under Special Operations Command. I was kind of on my own from a tactical standpoint in relation to supporting ground commanders. I was the voice of leadership and the voice of whoever we were supporting at the time. I was able t …

After spending my entire adult life in the Military, I find myself with a great sense of freedom upon leaving. Don’t get me wrong, the military was exceptionally good to me; but at a certain point, the structure, the control, and the constant supervision serve to dull your independence and your abil …