I'm flattered someone actually took the time to "learn about the author." Of course, most of the visitors of this particular page on the site are probably one of two things: bots, or the college kid that thinks "it's online, it might be true." If you are that second type, you are somewhat in luck - it probably is true, but you probably shouldn't cite me on it. Anyway, as the info on the left says, I go by "the kid" on the internet. For the past fifteen or so years I've been doing something online website wise, so this is just a continuation of that. Though, this time it's a bit more hectic without a real sense of direction other than a place for me to put "stuff." Sorry y'all, but I'm not doing politics, religion, or arguing about what sports team fans have it the toughest (*cough*it's the Lions*cough*).
Historical Perspective
My focus in history is a bit of a unique situation. I was amazed in my time as an undergrad student how few military history courses were provided, and often found myself focusing exclusively on military operations in most of my classes where it was allowed. Things opened up a little more at the graduate level, but never quite to where I was entirely satisfied. My focus is twofold: 1) Transformation of Aviation in the United States from 1943 to 1993, and; 2) U.S. Military Logistics from 1963 to 2003. By in large, I would describe myself as a Cold War historian, but I defer most doctrinal and anthological commentary to individuals far more knowledgeable than I (see John Lewis Gaddis).
More recently, my focus has also expanded to include Atomic Weapons Deployment from 1950 thru 1975. That includes the birth of tactical nuclear weapons, hydrogen weapons, atomic artillery, and the birth of the Nuclear Triad. In aviation, my current examinations have been to look closer at the familial developments during the Cold War, including the ATB and ATF programs, the Blackbird and Valkyrie families, and the origins of the JSF programs. Lastly, in logistics, I focus largely on the later phase of my concentration period. Generally, the interest lies in the transformation of prepositioned stocks and the Revolution of Military Affairs & Logistics (1990-2001).
Disclaimer
If you are a conspiracy theorist, public brown-noser, or just a lazy college student - let me save you some time. Nothing on this website is cite-worthy/able. For the love of all that is good in Academia, do the research for yourself. If you are a conspiracy theorist, I'm sorry to inform you that your aluminum tin-foil hat doesn't work. It doesn't work because there's nothing to protect you from. Also, if it sounds like a conspiracy, it's probably in the joke section and is therefore satire. Don't kid yourself.
Oh, and any and all commentary that I have posted on this site is purely my own views and not in any shape, way, or form, a reflection on my employer, my alma mater, or my mother, or your brother's-uncle's-cousin's best friend. This site is for mostly entertainment purposes with perhaps a splash of education. I have no intentions of this being weighed down by sincerity unless it's absolutely necessary. If you want the official commentary of a subject from my employer, then I suggest you start with the West Point Academy or other military academic institution, because those guys know a hell of a lot more than I do.
On the off chance that I share anything official, rest assured that this site sure as hell is not the only website where the information can be found. If it is, I'll be up front about it (at the bottom of the page, probably), but this is probably never going to happen. I am sure any service member or civilian out there knows all the training on this stuff, and rest assured I'm really not interested in providing work related commentary. This is more supposed to be for my own academic research and "dank memes." Because that's all the internet is good for...dank memes.
..."the kid?"
Fair question. I was/am(?) a member on an audio forum. *gasp* At any rate, the audio hobby is apparently one that most acquire with age. For the longest time I was (and still probably am) the youngest member there. I acquired the nickname "the kid" on there for that reason, and in most settings I just attached my career as a historian to it (The History Kid, or just "the kid" here). I am sure it'll be a real interesting talking point when I'm a 40-year-old coot with a hearing aid and a cane, yelling at kids and insisting they get off my lawn.
And don't you worry, this website was made with one-hundred percent Midwest "ope"-ism. Remember kids, "if it don't ope, just say nope."