How'd We Get Here

...and where are we going?

The end is often the beginning

1. Why this, why now

I’ve long had a passion for the written word; both doing the writing and reading the words of others. This Substack comes at a unique crossroads in my life. Thus far, my entire adulthood has been spent in some form of government “service.” I joined the Army as an infantryman shortly after high school. I spent about six years (yes, I reenlisted once) in that role including year long trips to both Iraq and Afghanistan. I got married near the end of my time in the Army too; we were young and foolish. But we were, and are more than ever, in love. These were the most formative years of my life, thus far at least. I learned a lot about myself. I learned a lot about others. I learned about war. I learned about a different kind of loss; the loss only soldiers know. The loss of men who were more than friends, more than family in ways, yet who came from all corners of the country, and even the world. Men who joined the military in a time of war for their own reasons, reasons as numerous as you can imagine. I never thought life would get harder than going to war. I was wrong. Just as wrong as I was about having a fanciful idea about war prior to seeing it.

After those Army years I went to school, the police academy and began my career as a police officer in the Milwaukee area. After about a year and half, I was assigned to night shift but also had the opportunity to re-enroll at Marquette University in hopes of finishing my bachelor’s degree. Another year and half or so passed and I did just that. I graduated Cum Laude from Marquette with a degree in Criminology and Law Studies. I learned a lot about people as a police officer. As was true in the Army, I learned a lot about myself too. I also learned about putting the law into practice and developed a love not often found in law enforcement officers for Supreme Court case law. I did say I liked to read. During my time as a cop, my wife and I were also blessed with our first two daughters. Shortly after obtaining my bachelor’s degree, I applied to the FBI for the position of Special Agent. Three weeks shy of one year later, I was driving to Quantico.

The FBI has a mandatory field trip to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. for all new agents and analysts. This trip was the most extraordinary part of the nearly five months of training there. I’ve experienced that for the vast majority of those in the FBI this trip is just more pomp and circumstance, and not very meaningful in practice. Friends were made, family was missed, but at the end I was a Special Agent. I was assigned to the Kansas City Division out of Quantico, but landed in a small satellite office, or Resident Agency, in Wichita, KS. Our time in Kansas was very special to us. Our third daughter was born (although in Wisconsin) a few months after our arrival to Kansas in 2018, and our fourth shortly before we departed in 2022. Again, I learned a lot about myself during this time. I learned even more about others. I became a Congressional Whistleblower in November of 2021. I was suspended in September of 2022. I believe, and likely cannot be swayed from the position, that the FBI retaliated against me for being a whistleblower.

I hope to provide detail about everything I mentioned here, and more, in a unique way that weaves my experiences and knowledge with my faith. That faith is what has led to this new beginning after all. I also plan to apply analysis, based on my experiences, to the news of the day in these realms and other related areas. Think part history, current events, biography, screed, and devotional. That, at least, is my idea at the outset. Let’s see how it evolves. I humbly ask that you will join me and help me grow as a human and as a writer.

2. Last Line Team Room

The goal with the Last Line Substack is to develop a team of people who have a deep rooted love for their faith, family and freedom. I can’t do this without you. As has been true of my time as a father, husband, and government employee, I have learned while on this road. I want us to continue to learn together. I can, and will, learn from you. Of this I am certain. I hope, and plan, to provide something of substance in return. Please subscribe and let’s embark on this new journey together. Please engage in comments, chats or messages, sharing on Twitter or elsewhere, and encourage others to as well. This is how we will learn and grow together.

During my last roll call at the police department I was asked to give some parting words. I talked about “getting out of your comfort zone.” That’s what I did when I joined the Army, became a cop, became an FBI Agent, became a husband, a father, a Congressional Whistleblower and the list goes on. I gave similar parting words when I left the FBI Kansas City SWAT Team shortly before I was suspended. Getting out of my comfort zone is rarely, if ever easy. I’m confident all of you have similar experiences throughout your life where you got out of your comfort zone. I hope you’ll join me and we’ll get out of it again; together.

3. Last Line?

Last Line comes from a longstanding idea I’ve had, one I’m sure is not original, that the military and first responders are often “the last line” of defense between us and fire, criminals, or enemies. That was certainly another fanciful thought. This idea has grown and evolved for me over time. I now look at it as far more than some position of municipal, state or federal government. Much more than government could ever be. It includes being defenders of the faith in how we live as we will all be held accountable in the end. It includes how we parent. How we maintain relationships. How we behave when no one is looking. How we behave when all eyes are on us. How we treat others. How we stand for the truth; no matter what. We are all the last line. We are stronger together. Hold the line.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” -James 4:14

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