Wordsmith
Along with being a voracious reader, I dabbled in writing, news reporting and acting in high school and college. I worked as a sports reporter/editor for the Hallsville (MO) Top for three years while I was in high school. Then I worked as a sports reporter for KCMX-FM (The Voice of Central Missouri State) for two semesters at college. After deciding that a journalism degree just wasn't for me, I switched over and received my Bachelors of Science in 1982, majoring in History (emphasis on Medieval/Renaissance Europe) with a minor in Criminal Justice Administration (emphasis on pre-law).
After a year of substitute teaching, I joined the U.S. Army in 1984 and served as a Signals Intelligence Analyst for 15 years. I reached the rank of Sergeant First Class and was stationed in interesting places like Ft. Bliss, TX with the 3rd ACR; Ft. Campbell, KY with the 101st Airborne (Air Assault), Goodfellow AFB, TX with the 344th MI Battalion and Ft. Meade, MD with the 742nd MI Battalion.
One of the best parts of my time in the Army was being fortunate enough to attend the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA twice. I learned Czech & Slovak in 1985 and studied Arabic/Syrian in 1989. While with the 101st, I had the experience of serving in Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-91 and spent 27 glorious days sitting at As Salman Airfield in Iraq. I also served as a military instructor, teaching Fundamental Military Cryptanalysis while stationed at Goodfellow AFB.
I was awarded three Meritorious Service Medals, two Army Commendation Medals, an Army Achievement Medal, five Good Conduct Medals, the Air Assault Badge, the Army Master Instructor Badge and the Air Force Senior and Master Instructor Badges. However, after 15 years, the Army made me an offer I could refuse and I jumped ship to become a tech writer with Booz Allen Hamilton.
When not otherwise swamped under with stuff, I practice Kendo with the Washington Kendo Club, where I have reached the rank of sho-dan. I also have a serious anime/manga habit and enjoy collecting original cels from some of my favorite shows. I am an unabashed Kansas City Chiefs fan and spend way too much time visiting Chiefs Planet, a bulletin board dedicated to my favorite team. In my more nefarious past, I was a herald in the SCA (primarily Kingdom of the West) and fenced in college. I am also an affecionado of Role-playing and miniature gaming.
I have been married for 13 years to the most patient woman in the world, Joni. We have a lovely daughter, Katherine, and have three cats (Jimmy, Fluffy and Sam-I-Am). Transitioning my life from the military to the wilds of government contracting has been an adventure. Some days I wonder if I wasn't safer in the Army.