Completed my Masters of Professional Studies degree in Security and Safety Leadership in May 2014. Before that, I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies and Political Science in December 2012. I emphasized my studies on the Middle East, terrorism and learning Modern Standard Arabic (1 year).
With the current position I'm in, I'm able to take Department of Defense-specific classes to help me advance in my career in security. Through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency's Center for Development of Security Excellence (CDSE), Iwas able to gain my Security Fundamentals Professional Certificate (SFPC).
Beyond the CDSE coursework, I'm also working on my NCMS certification to become an Industrial Security Professional (ISP).
At this present time, I've been admitted into a Doctoral (Ph.D) program for Intelligence and Security Studies through Capitol Technology University out of Laurel, MD. These studies should conclude in 2026 once my dissertation has been successfully defended.
Other Comments:
Service/Deployment Information:
Active Duty: September 2001-September 2004 / IRR: September 2004-May 2008 / Reserves: May 2008-August 2009
While on active duty, I participated in Battle Focused Training at the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC) in Hohenfels, Germany, from October-December 2002 doing exercises with OPFOR. At the same time, I was afforded an opportunity to qualify with German weapons (G36 and MG3) in Grafenwoehr to earn my Schutzenschnur.
Learned to operate HET trucks while stationed in Germany. Did many missions back and forth from Mannheim to Grafenwoehr, Germany, and from Kuwait to Iraq. Supported the major divisions going into Iraq, such as 3ID, 4ID, 3ACR, 1AD and 101st Airborne.
Learned to operate a 5,000 gal. tanker truck while in Iraq. Acquired, transported and distributed JP8 fuel in support of 4ID, 82nd Airborne, among others.
While in Kuwait and Iraq, drove over 10,000 miles accident-free (actually, close to 20,000), earning me the Army Driver's Badge.
Once I ETS'd out of the Army in 2004, I came home and went to school for my Class A CDL, and then gained employment with Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR-Halliburton). I worked in the "Green Zone" or "International Zone" (Baghdad, Iraq) supporting the US State Department in their diplomatic missions from February 2005 to February 2008.
For two years, I drove line-haul trucks to Regional Embassy Offices at Camp Victory (BIAP), al Hillah and Kuwait. My third year with KBR, I was promoted to a desk job in the Transportation Department where I did supervisory/administrative duties. In 2008, I returned stateside to pursue my college education.
OIF/Transition of Iraq (2003-04)/FOB Tiger, Al Qaim, Iraq
From Month/Year
May / 2003
To Month/Year
June / 2004
Description
On 02 May 2003 1st PLT was attached to A/1-3ACR and moved with the A/54th Company Commander to FOB Tiger located at the Al Qaim Rail Yard, a 130km movement. 1st PLT conducted a route recon of RTE LOGROAD during movement to FOB Tiger. They also conducted a recon of an extensive Iraqi ASP vic KC 3070 along the route. Company HQ remained integrated in the 1-3ACR TOC at OBJ Weber. A&O PLT remained at OBJ Weber awaiting movement of 1-3ACR's main body up to FOB Tiger. 2nd PLT remained at OBJ Weber awaiting the arrival of and attachment to C/1-3ACR. A&O PLT remained at OBJ Weber awaiting movement of 1-3ACR's main body up to FOB Tiger. 2nd PLT (minus 1st SQD) remained at OBJ Weber awaiting the arrival of and attachment to C/1-3ACR. A&O platoon repaired approximately 65% of the holes in the fence around FOB Tiger, the train station, with concertina wire and barbwire ties.
As of mid-October 2003 about 1,000 soldiers from the 1st Squadron of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR), based in Fort Carson of Colorado Springs, Colorado, were stationed in al-Qaim. The 3rd ACR has converted an abandoned train station into home and called it Tiger Forward Operating Base. There is a cafeteria, or chow hall with a Pueblo motif painted on its walls. The men of the 3rd ACR police a porous Syrian border 195 kilometers wide. They studied historical patterns and compiled intelligence to establish Named Areas of Interest, or locations where people are known to cross borders.
By the end of October 2003 parking was at a premium at Tiger Base, as Tiger Squadron, 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment consolidated as a complete squadron for the first time since entering Iraq on April 30th. The consolidation took place at Tiger Base near the border town of Al Qa'im. The assumption of responsibility for the Al Anbar province by the 82d Airborne Division allowed the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment to reorganize its largely spread-out Tiger Squadron. Tiger Squadron covered over 20,000 square kilometers of Iraqi's western desert before the consolidation. Units were spread between three different operating bases at Al Asad Airbase, Haditha Dam, and Al Qa'im. The squadron's area of responsibility now covers just over 14,000 square kilometers along the border of Iraq and Syria.
The consolidation in Al Qa'im allowed the squadron to focus and concentrate both its intellectual and tactical energy in a battlespace that includes roughly 195 kilometers of the Iraqi-Syrian border. They were unable to do this efficiently while operating split-based and more in depth. Securing the border is critical to the stability of Iraq. The consolidation of the squadron also allowed many soldiers to meet comrades that they had not seen in nearly six months.
