Member Spotlight- dLUX>XI<

BlackRose · May 6, 2024

Let start with your clan name? dLUX

Do you have any nicknames? Personal or in game? dLUX

When and where were you born? Santa Monica, CA

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Soldier

Where have you lived? Santa Monica, CA; Simi Valley, CA; Spirit Lake, ID; Frankfurt, Germany; Coeur d’Alene, ID; Dana Point, CA; San Francisco, CA; Tacoma, WA; Spokane, WA; Baghdad, Iraq; Al Asad Air Base, Iraq; Some really small town in northeast Washington State.

What got you into gaming? Fun and competition

Your first game you played? Pong

And what do you play now? Nearly exclusive to COD4 Freezetag. Every time I try a different game it loses its allure after a while and I end up back with COD4.

Why did you join XI? I was spending all my time with you jokers so I ended up leaving my old clan and then was invited to join.

What do you get from being in this clan? XI tags.

What is your favorite hobby? Shooting

What is your favorite travel destination? That’s a tough one. Costa Rica and the SW coast of France would be top slots.

Are you married? 26 years and counting. Best lady on earth. She not only puts up with me but actually loves me so I am very grateful for her.

Do you have children? 3. The youngest graduates from high school this year so pretty close to an empty nester.

What kind of pets do you have, if any? What are their names? A yellow lab named Ca$h. 3 cats: Milo, Moo-moo bear, and Frankie.

Are you a sports fan? If so, what is your favorite team? I really don’t dig on most American sports but that is because of their politics. Sad but true. I am a new convert to Rugby. Ireland!!

What causes are you passionate about? Freedom.

Do you volunteer? If so, where? I suppose military service counts. Currently a Fire Commissioner in our district.

What is an interesting fact about you? Sadly, I can’t think of anything.

Have you continued your education past college or university with career development seminars or classes? What kind? Bachelors degree in World & Comparative Literature. Masters in Education. Infantry Officer Basic Course; Captain’s Career Course; Bradley Leader’s Course; Information Operations (tactical & strategic); NATO Information Operations

Did you know what profession you wanted to work in when you started college? Har. No.

Did you belong to any professional organizations? Combat Infantryman’s Association; American Legion; Firearms Policy Coalition.

What is your current job title? Retired

Did you win any awards or recognitions during your education? Har.

Where do you work? Retired

What other job titles have you had in your career? Stocker, Tire Installation, 1-hour photo (Costco); Infantry Platoon Leader, Infantry Company Executive Officer, Infantry Company Commander, Battalion S-1, Battalion Assistant S-3, Tactical Informations Operations Team Leader. Private Firearms Instructor.

Where else have you worked? I taught 6th grade math and science in public school. Homeschooled my own kids until they went to High School.

Why did you choose to work in your industry? I chose the Army for the challenge but 9/11 really moved things into high gear.

Why do you like your job? Leading men in a combat zone is a unique challenge. Seeing to the welfare and training of them in between deployments was a great privilege.

How would you describe your career? Successful

What are some accomplishments you've achieved during your career? There is a list of military awards and decorations but surviving all that with my marriage and kids in tact is the greatest. The grace of God in full display.

Describe a time that your career was rewarding. When soldiers thanked me.

If you could give a younger person career advice, what would it be? Whatever you do, commit yourself fully.

What is your favorite thing about your career or industry? The Army paid me to blow things up. That’s pretty cool.

What is a valuable lesson you learned in your career? Things are not always as they seem. Keep your eyes open.

What is your favorite sport? Soccer and rugby. Admittedly, I know precious little about rugby but its still amazing to watch.

Do you play any sports? In my youth I played the common sports here in the States: baseball, basketball, football, soccer, snowboarding, skateboarding, and I’ve done a variety of Martial Arts over the years. My body can’t really take that stuff anymore, unfortunately.

If you were granted 1 wish, what would you wish for? I’ve seen that movie, its a trap.