Q: What does your call sign mean to you?
A: Candor - Being open and honest in all communications. Being honest with people and treating them as they should be treated.
Q: What branch of the military or LEO did you serve in (or are currently serving in), for how long, and what was your job?
A: I currently serve in the United States Army. I have served for over 25 years. I work in Military Intelligence and serve as a senior leader in a Direct Report Unit (DRU) to the Department of the Army.
Q: Why did you commit to the Masked Athlete program?
A: I was drawn to the MAT by their athleticism, expertise with the Honorees, and their service without recognition. I had served with OEW as an OCA for several years and had never considered applying for the MAT. I guess you could say I as a very committed OCA and several team members and MAT members recognized that. They convinced me that I could give more to the Honorees and the organization that I had come to love.
Q: Motto or principle you live by.
A: Thinking ”Here goes Nothing” could be the start of EVERYHTING!
Q: What piece of advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a MAT?
A: First, know your ‘why’. Why do you want to be on this field? Why do you want to put yourself through the physical stressors on a consistent basis? This is all about the Honorees, and those around them. It is about the team members to your left and right. It is about the OCAs and those seeing us for the first time out on a course or at an event. It is about living by a set a values that places others before self, and team before individual.
Second, get a mask and start doing sprints. Sprint until you think you will be sick. Stop and recover, then do it again. Being in a mask, up and down the hills in Asheville or Wintergreen, for 12+ hours is not the most pleasant way to spend a Saturday. But our Honorees rely on you to do just that. Refer to my first point.
Q: What would you like people to know about OEW?
A: We are a Family. We work together toward one goal. We laugh, cry, fight, and understand just like any family because family is first. There is constant banter between the team members, Honorees, and OCAs before, during, and after an event. We eagerly welcome new members into our tribe.
Q: What is your favorite event and why?
A: The custom GORUCK Challenge held in Tennessee in 2016. It was a first for OEW and very challenging. It was organized by a long time OCA, Kevin Poe, who I have been friends with for years. We had an amazing group who did the event from the team members and MAT, to the OCAs and new comers to the organization. I am truly appreciative that I got to do it with my best friend. We also met Danny Stokes, the lead cadre. We must have made a good impression because he joined the team and has improved OEW ever since. It was a great example of OEW’s family atmosphere as we all descended on Kevin’s house before the event. As each person arrived it was like a family reunion. Then after the event we came together even more as we ate food, talked about the challenges of the event, fought over who got the big couch, and became closer.
Check out our OEW Spotify channel! Each Call Sign will share their own playlists of music that gets them pumped for action or helps them chill during their workday. Follow our channel and receive updates whenever new playlists are posted!
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About INDOC: The application process to apply for the Masked Athlete Team, Warrior INDOC, is now an open enrollment. Pre-requisite is to have military or LEO experience with honorable discharge. E-mail: indoc@enduringwarrior.org for submission details.