Intro! I’m Brock Young and I’ve been a member of the forums since 2012. I’ll admit much of that first years was spent as a lurker; checking out posts, downloading stuff I could use, but not much more. It was when I put together my first PSG counseling and posted it looking for feedback, that things all changed. I shifted from lurker to active participant, and I haven’t looked back.

Being a senior-junior officer (an LT with 21 years of service), I’ve learned the importance of professional forums and communities of practice. They help us pass and share information so our peers, future peers, subordinates, and even superiors don’t have to waste time and energy building and learning something that’s already out there. They help develop our ability as officers to learn and grow within our profession, by putting ourselves out there and receiving feedback on our ideas and experiences.

I am currently the full time AGR (Active Guard/Reserves) BN S1 of an MP BN in the CA Army National Guard, but am currently branched 31A. I obviously come from the NCO side of the house, having been an 11B Bradley driver, gunner, and BC; transitioning to 31B squad leader and then platoon sergeant.

As an officer I’ve had the awesome opportunity to serve as the Aide de Camp to several Commanders of the California Army National Guard; a Platoon Leader in a Combat Support MP Company and then a Platoon Leader inside a detention facility.

I’ve deployed to Bosnia in ’97 as a Bradley driver (PFC); Iraq in ’04 as a team leader (SGT); Kosovo in ’09 as the American Commanding General’s PSD NCOIC (SSG); and then to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in ’14 as a platoon leader and Assistant Officer In-Charge of the maximum security detention facility there.

The forums were a huge help to me as a PL. Mentors and peers assisted me in becoming a better officer and leader, and helped me from burning out during a particularly trying time I went through. The relationships, knowledge, and experience that I’ve gained through my participation in the forums continue to be a key to my success.

So let’s crack our knuckles and get down to business.