My screen name is Lawmage, a reference to my profession and my religion.  While recovering from surgery to repair a shoulder wound, I discovered Fool Moon and was fascinated.  So, almost a year later, bada bing, bada boom. here we are.  Shoulder wound?  (cough)  Let me explain.

I am a US Army service member in the Military Police Corp.  I have worked in a number of assignments for the Army over the last ten years.  I have worked as an investigator, what many civilians would think of as a plainclothes detective.  I have worked personal security, which in Army speak is sort of like a bodyguard.  That work was my first involvement in the force protection side of counter-terrorism.  I still work in law enforcement, with some specialized focus on catching bad guys before they can do bad things.  Simplistic perhaps, but rewarding.

My military awards include the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, the National Defense Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Superior Unit Award, a Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Coast Guard Special Operations Award, and an Air Force Security Controller Award.  As you can see, the Army has shared my time and effort with several other services.

Although you may see me around in other Fool Moon Forums, such as Interfaith and Pagan Circle, my special affinity is for the Town Meeting Forums, and particularly the War on Terrorism.  I love the written word and find myself most comfortable putting my thoughts together and posting them at my leisure.  I invite you to drop by and add your comments to our forums.

On a personal note, I am a Pagan, a practitioner of Witchcraft as a religion.  This accounts for the –Mage portion of my screen name.  I work hard to keep my religious life distinct from my professional life and am firmly committed to the principle of separation of Church and State.  I believe strongly in freedom of religion for all people irrespective of their personal spiritual beliefs. 

In addition, I am in my 30s, married, and blessed with three beautiful children.  I am a product of public schools in childhood.  I attended the Citadel in Charleston, SC.  There I pursued what amounts to two majors (International Relations and Military Affairs) and three minors (Terrorism, Non-Western Studies, and African Regional Politics.)  Given a few more hours, I would have also garnered a minor in History.  Since then I have had some continued education at the US Army’s expense.  Some of that includes the Military Police Course, the Protective Services Course, the Anti-Terrorism Evasive Driving Course, the Small Arms Repair Course, Domestic Violence Intervention Training, Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Training, extensive first aid and emergency medical treatment training, and some other training that wouldn’t interest anyone here.

 I look forward to seeing you all in the Town Meeting Forums.

Lawmage