[Navy Flier]

I received a mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Tech in 1982 and worked as an aerospace engineer on the Space Shuttle. I then was on the original design team that developed the land attack Tomahawk cruise missile. I then became involved in high level classified stealth missile design. I started my Navy Career in the Naval Air Reserve in 1987. I went to flight school at Pensacola and received my wings as a P-3 Orion naval flight officer in 1990. I flew for three years and transferred to an air operation unit where I stayed and eventually became the XO.

As a reservist, I participated in multiple global deployments and active duty stints focusing on Anti -Submarine Warfare, Maritime patrol and counter narcotics. I took a job as a civilian engineer at China Lake Naval Weapons center in 2002. I went on active duty when I was asked to assume the role of Military Deputy for Weapons.

In 2002, I volunteered to go to the Middle East to serve as officer in charge of the deployment of two newly developed CAS targeting platforms during Operation Southern Watch. I was later attached to the Air Force 720th Special Tactics Group in support of SEAL 3 and 5, Army 5th SFG, Navy Helo COmbat Squadron FIVE, Predator, the Air Force 23 STS, and a certain OGA during the start of the Iraq war. I was inserted into SF intelligence where I participated in planning the SEAL atack ont he Al Faw Penisula, SF inserts into Baghdad and other missions.

In response to the high air to ground fratricide rate, I was the first to deploy the Precision Strike Suite for Special Operations Forces(PSSSOF) CAS targeting system. There are now over 19,000 users of that device.

I was the first military member to receive a military diagnosis for mefloquine toxicity and the first veteran to receive a VA rating for such. I was disability retired as a full active duty Navy Commander and my injuries were rated as combat related. Four members of my reserve unit were diagnosed with the same injury. I have since gotten 16 others to Balboa Naval Hospital and Bethesda where they were all diagnosed with a vestibular injury from mefloquine toxicity. Nine years later, I still have significant issues with my balance and still have vision damage.

I have personally triaged over 90 veterans and service members with this disrder by getting them to the proper medical care most others have been denied. I continue to work the mefloquine issue with senior medical professionals in the Department of Defense and the VA. I also work close hold with Congress and veterans service orgnaizations like the Vietnam Vets of America.