Meet the team

I’ve talked with my team about the plan and not surprisingly, they're thrilled. These really are the most talented military journalists I have ever work with.

I’d like to use today’s entry to introduce you to them. For security reasons I have to keep it relatively generic.

Team 1:
Monica is from Minnesota and one of the best sailors I’ve ever met. She joined the Navy to earn money to pay for an expensive college education on the East Coast, but I think the Navy has taught her more than any college ever could. An outstanding writer and photographer, she’ll go very far in the Navy… or the civilian world. If she stays Navy, she’s definitely officer material. But her knowledge and ability is only surpassed by her kindness and good nature. This is one genuinely kind person. If my daughter turned out to be just like Monica, I’d be very proud.

Laura is my warrior. She’s a former Air Force military police officer turned photographer. On this most recent trip to the RCs, Laura came equipped with a 200 pound backpack full of everything you’d need in the field. Attached to her body armor were weapons and gadgets that would make MacGyver green with envy. And while she’s a killer, she’s such a girly-girl. She loves pink anything, kittens and the Italian soldiers because of their tight pants. Laura, Laura, Laura! Any while she oozes confidence in the field, she’s a chicken when it comes to writing. The fear of writing is her “internal Taliban” and the enemy she must beat.

Team 2:
Aramis is from New Mexico/West Texas and is the son of parents who were both also in the Navy. He’s a quiet guy and a little slow to jump, but his work is second to none whether it be writing a story, taking pictures or laying out a magazine. He’s quiet but deadly… in an artsy way. His goal is to go to film school which is something I can totally see in his future. In Afghanistan, we have been told over and over again that we are SOLDIERS FIRST… but even with Taliban coming over the hill… Aramis openly admits he’d rather shoot pictures than fire his weapon. I think I’ll be keeping him far from harms way. Like Monica, this is a genuinely nice person; the type of guy who you’d like to have as a next door neighbor.

Cole will be with Aramis. To be honest, I've met her once for a day. Almost the entire time I've been here, she's been covering stories in the South. I sent her there because she has a real fear of not coming home. I needed her to get over that and the only way to do it is by sending her on a long mission. I've heard great reports that her confidence is growing by leaps and bounds and I couldn't be more thrilled. She comes home today and I hope to sit down with her and learn more about who she is, where she's from and what she plans to do in the future.

Team 3:
John is a young 23-year old Marine. Do I need to say anymore? He is a hard-charging guy who is the most excited about living where the action is. When I told him about moving south, his first question was, “do I get to kill anyone?” I’m sure he meant it to be humorous, but I’m still not 100% he was kidding. John is from New Jersey and dropped out of college after a year to join the Corps. He just wanted to make a difference and college wasn’t fulfilling that patriotic void. He also didn’t want to be one of those guys from high school who never saw any piece of Earth beyond Jersey. John, you now have plenty of stories to share with the guys back home.

Terry arrives in February and he’ll be John’s battle buddy in the south. Until then, John will have to go it alone. Terry and I worked together at my last assignment and I could not be more thrilled he’s joining us… although I’m sure his wife and children have other thoughts. Again, another excellent photographer, writer and graphic designer. Terry is huge Star Wars fan and the only person I know who has actually recreated some of the film’s special effects on his laptop computer. He’s an old guy like me and I know our young Marine will learn a lot from him.

Team 4:
Brenda will be my right-hand person working with me back here at the headquarters so she should immediately get your utmost sympathy. She’s staying here because not only is she’s my most senior person, but I consider her extremely responsible and a good leader. An Air Force Tech Sergeant, she is a buckeye from Ohio like myself. Her parents moved the family from the Cleveland area deep into the countryside when she little. While most would resent their parents for that, Brenda says it taught her humility and appreciation for simple things. It shows in her kind smile and professional attitude. Her 7-year old son Taylor is her pride and joy. Someday when he grows up and hears about his Mom’s service, I’m sure he’ll be very, very proud.