AllMilitary.com

xformed talks about his milblog Chaotic Synaptic Activity.

Question: What are three things your readers probably do not know about you?

1. I began traveling the world at 8 years old, when my father’s job took us to Okinawa for two years (62-64). I grew up for two years in the middle of the Green Berets.
2. While I initially had “issues” with water at 5 years old, I became a competitive swimmer and then did a career in the Navy on surface ships.
3. I spent the summer of 1980 driving from San Francisco to Vancouver, BC, to Denver, to Kansas City, then Lexington, KY, Wheaton, MD and finally to Virginia Beach, VA. 4500 miles in a 72 Super Beetle without AC…in August….I saw a lot of America and it was fun.

Question: How long have you been blogging and why did you get into blogging?

I began blogging the end of Sept 2004, so I’m pushing the 2.5 year time line now. I got into blogging after I had been reading Black Five’s blog (http://www.blackfive.net) for a few months. I figured I had some stories to tell so I began with a Blogger account.

Question: What is your military experience?

I spent 4 years at a military college in NROTC, followed by 20 years active duty as a Surface Warfare Officer. My sea time was mostly on destroyers and frigates, and my shore duty mostly related to training commands.

Question: What are some of your other favorite Milblogs?

Neptunus Lex - http://www.neptunuslex.com
MilBlogs - http://www.mudvillegazette.com/milblogs
Cdr Salmander - http://cdrsalamander.blogspot.com
Black Five - http://www.blackfive.net

Question: What has been the biggest factor in helping you create and publish a successful blog?

At the 2006 MilBlogs conference, a Marine was discussing the Corps’ policy on blogs: Stick to what you know. I think that was the best guidance, as it makes the blog a reflection of what you actually know. That way, you’re on firm ground if some issue or discussion comes up. If I have an opinion and don’t know a lot about a subject I feel the urge to blog on, then I state that in the opening lines of the post, but I try to keep my content to something I have been involved in directly, or I have researched.

Question: Do you have anything else you would like us to mention about you,
your blog, or your readers?

The connection between MilBloggers, and those who read them, has proven to be a powerful force in doing several drive to support the troops. I specifically enjoyed working to help raise funds for the V(oice) A(ctivated) L(aptops) for OUR - I(njured) T(roops) (VALOUR-IT) project the past two years. We set goals for funds and in both years, the collection effort blew past the dollar amounts by a considerable amount and the end result is about 1000 laptops have been equipped with voice activated software and placed in major medical facilities for our wounded service members to use to keep connected to friends, family and their units, as well as to continue blogging in a few cases.. All that because a school teacher and a wounded Army Captain, both bloggers who only knew each other via the blogs, put their thoughts together less than 2 years ago. The community of bloggers assisting in these funds drives was pretty diverse and I look forward to being part of the Navy’s team (it was all “friendly” competition in the snarky emails) again this coming year.

Project info is here: http://soldiersangels.org/index.php?page=project-valour-it

VALOUR-IT is but one project that has seen such success, and I think it’s an incredible tribute to my readers, fellow bloggers and those who just have a heart to roll up their sleeves and do something great for others, particularly for those who protect us.

BTW, the 2007 MilBloggers Conference is coming May 5th! It’s a great opportunity to put faces with pseudo-names and learn where you can help out, or tips on how to do it better. You better sign up quickly!

Go here and get registered: http://www.andisworld.typepad.com/milblog_conference/

Thanks for the opportunity to share this information!

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