I love graphic design. I have made a great living and had lots of fun as a graphic designer, but I'm passionate about so much more. The following photos show me in Afghanistan, where I commanded an Afghan security force on behalf of US Army SFOD-A and SOCOM, as well as various African countries where in support of the US Departmtn of State, I managed Peacekeeping Support training of African Union forces for United Nations and AU peacekeeping support missions across Africa.
To avoid hitting IEDs in my soft-skin vehicle in Afghanistan I patrolled a lot on foot. That gave me plenty of opportunity to meet the neighbors in Shahidi Hassas, Oruzgan.
I was invited to have lunch with some of my neighbors. Their hospitality was fantastic, and their ancient homestead was a lush garden full of pomegranates, melons, apples, and other fruits.
Part of my team takes a lunch break while providing security a shura, or council meeting with US Army.
On the Dosang OP near Shahidi Hassas I pause for a cup of green tea.
After patrolling along the Helmand River on foot I caught a cat-nap under the shade of some trees.
On patrol with some of my Afghan troops in Oruzgan.
Some of my troops keeping watch from the roof of an ancient mud walled compound on the banks of the Helmand River.