From the desk
Essays
Foxholes. Door position. The Vulcan. Notes from a first sergeant who still writes it down.
October 10, 2026
Proud to be a JM
Do you remember the fleetingness of titles? I was proud to be a SPC, because I was no longer a Private, I was glad to be a SSG, because I was no longer a SGT.
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September 20, 2026
The Hang
In the old days, we used to hang.
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August 28, 2026
Firing the Vulcan
Star Wars spacecraft. Three thousand rounds a minute. 16R2P. P was for Paratrooper.
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August 22, 2026
Shared Adversity Builds Teams
Ever walked twelve miles with a pack, a helmet, and a rifle, and still had to run part of it?
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August 10, 2026
We All Jumped
The General jumped with us. Same cable. Same exit. Same dirt in his teeth.
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March 23, 2026
I Want Door Position
You can taste freedom and fear in the same breath.
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March 20, 2025
One Pass Over Sicily Drop Zone
One pass. Fifty-nine seconds of green light. One hundred and twenty souls.
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May 27, 2024
In My Foxhole
If you were in my foxhole, I love you. You are my hero.
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April 8, 2024
My Squad Was the Best
He asked me, “Which squad is the best squad in this unit?”
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August 20, 2023
What it means to be Airborne…….
Jumping was just the beginning of it, such a small part.
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August 8, 2023
Ardennes Was a Proving Ground
No walking on Ardennes between 0630 and 0730. If you did, you heard about it.
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July 3, 2023
I’m a Towed Jumper, Cut Me Free
Fort McCoy. A sleeping bag. The MPs pointing and laughing. Guess that was my cherry party.
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June 29, 2021
One of the Easiest Things Ever
Jumpmaster of the Year, 82nd Airborne, 1999. I wrote the book they tested me on.
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January 23, 2020
Entangled at 4000
I remember that untangling our parachute was just as easy as me taking my quick release snap off of my weapons case.
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