Guest Posts

Mar

Mil-Writer inspired by law enforcement work and faith

March 6, 2013 By Trent Ruble

Trent Ruble (photo provided)

Trent Allen Ruble was born in Indiana in 1961. He’s a veteran of the United States Air Force where he traveled extensively as an aircraft loadmaster. He’s now a retired police detective working as a police officer at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW).

He has shared his story in a recent post on Military Success Network and here he lets us peek a bit into his process.

WoW- Words on Wednesday, welcomes Trent Ruble, a relatively recent, but highly motivated writer and published author.

Mystery novel, 2006

His two novels are; “Harrison Davis, Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” and “Gunar Hamilton, Vigilante on the Lam.”

He also writes weekly articles in his blog; “A Hoosier Perspective.” Ruble is a member of the Military Writers Society of America and is active in supporting fellow MilWriters.

“Harrison Davis,” is a mystery centered on a police detective in a small town. The second, “Gunar Hamilton,” is a sequel but is more of an adventure than a mystery.

We catch him mid conversation with Helena Kaufman about how he got started and what motivates him to write, after his full time job, after time with wife, children and several grandchildren. Now,

…..In his own words… [Read more…]

Mar

Air Force to law enforcement and the writing life

March 4, 2013 By Trent Ruble

Introducing Trent Ruble, whom we met on the Facebook page for the Military Writers Society of America. In an upcoming post on WoW – Words on Wednesdays, Ruble shares how he came to write his first books.

Author and blogger, Trent Ruble (photo provided)

Transition – his from the US Air Force, early in his military career and by choice -is the topic of this post. As his life story unfolds you’ll see that his military training found him not straying too far from uniformed duty. Now.. in his own words.…. [Read more…]

Feb

Redeployed review by Greg Drobny of Ranger Up

February 27, 2013 By Mr. Twisted

Introducing, guest reviewer, Greg Drobny who posts and writes reviews ’round the net’ under the name: Mr. Twisted. He is a writer for Ranger Up and Rhino Den. His concerns revolve around giving a public voice to Veterans who’ve returned from combat and are suffering–either mentally or physically or both. PTSD has many tentacles, including a high rate of suicide among returning military veterans. These daily deaths are just one reminder of the challenges of re-integration and transition that face warriors returning to every day civilian lives, families and jobs.

“Mr. Twisted” counts these at the top of the list that he feels need the military community and general public’s attention.

From my own civilian point of view, I see “warriors” coming back with all manner of skills. Most, my peers and I might never think to master. Nor would we consider ourselves capable of performing at such a physically fit level. We could not even claim control by virtue of the discipline instilled along with determination in our nations’ warriors.

Some of these are awesome powers and we wonder, us non-hero accredited folks, how does it feel to come home with that kind of mindset and bodily energy to a civilian, smaller and limited playing field?

The book, Redeployed, has been embraced by Greg and his colleagues, because it reflects their and other warriors’ experiences. Speaking as a civilian, looking into the ‘ring’ of sport and competition that some veterans enter, we see a memory bank of intensive muscle and mind training. We wonder how they will channel all that energy and experience from the battle ground into the mixed match set up of every day life. We hope that they are equipped and know ‘what to do with themselves’ in such ordinary, yet challenging circumstances. (HK for MilSuccessNet)

The MilSuccessNet team met Greg Drobny on a rare occasion – in that its unusual for all three of us to be in the same country, same city and in this case, one Writers’ Conference. The event, Sangria Summit , held in Denver, Colorado was designed for aspiring and experienced Mil Writers. Others will be featured in coming posts. (SUBSCRIBE NOW and be alerted to your battle buddy’s debut)

Now to Mr. Twisted’s review of “Redeployed”, in his own words….. [Read more…]

Feb

Ops by the book & cat life advice via veterans

February 22, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

It’s Friday and MilSuccessNet is branching out… actually we’re stretching out towards the weekend with Doctrine Man‘s take on work. So, you can leave it, if you can, for a bit, with a smile….Debut strip on loan with permission from DM whose daily dose of humor and sense gets us all through the week:

AND MORE NEW features: Advice from the “former” Mr. and Mrs. Smith ……. [Read more…]

Feb

Siren’s Song seduces warriors – Antonio Salinas

February 18, 2013 By Antonio Salinas

When we met Antonio Salinas he introduced himself as a Writer, Warrior and Lover.

Marius, Nate en route to Sangria Summit

The ‘we’ were Military Success Network’s three co-founders, joining Salinas and other warrior writers at the first Sangria Summit Writers’ Conference in Denver, CO. Like other participants, we soon accepted that his 4th, self chosen description of Scholar was also apt.

Salinas was one of a select few who were able to workshop passages from their current manuscripts in a special session with the larger group. Feedback was good. Edits are in the process for book #2.

Today, however, Salinas answered questions about his first and recently published book – the provocatively titled, Siren’s Song: The Allure of War. In this segment, he talks of the experience of war .. in his own words….. [Read more…]

Feb

A little planning, a lot of satisfaction post military

February 15, 2013 By Shaun M. Collins

MilSuccessNet invites you to follow the passage of CW4 (RET.) Shaun M. Collins from military career to civilian roles and new missions. We continue from part 1 and so today we discover:

Alphabet soup that spells out a 23 year career path
Retirement applied for, delayed, manifested
Education moves from pupil to teacher
Planning well for an unfettered future

…and now in his own words…..we continue from part 1

Shaun M. Collins

I spent the remaining 23 years of my career as a CID Special Agent and had the opportunity to attend FBI, DEA and other Federal Law Enforcement training courses. [Read more…]

Feb

Military source for advice on Valentine’s Day?

February 14, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

It’s LOVE DAY out in the world, and all heart week at Military Success Network. We are introducing new guest bloggers on the soul of resilient military to civilian transition and a NEW ADVICE COLUMN.

TO THE RESCUE today, is the 1st of many valuable columns to come! Reprinted with permission of GUIDON in Ft. Leonard Wood. They are graciously sharing the HE SAID SHE SAID advice column, written by our own new dynamic duo of guest bloggers and veterans Pam Collins and her partner in life and practical advice prose, Shaun Collins. (Formerly, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, till both officially retired from military service and entered civilian life, with resilience!!)

Today, they address a universal quandary. Oh, I hope it’s not too late for you today. Our MilSuccessNet editor was found this morning, way past deadline, hunched over, asleep and clutching a half empty heart shaped virtual box of chocolate… on the screen.

He Said, She Said: Husband stumped at what to buy wife for Valentine’s Day

[Read more…]

Feb

Fire and Forget book review by Jonathan Raab

February 12, 2013 By Jonathan Raab

“Searing stories… a necessary collection, necessary to write, necessary to read.” E.L. Doctorow wrote these words about FIRE AND FORGET (Da Capo Press, launching on Amazon, February 2013).

We feel the same about the stories and the passion to share them on Military Success Network. Now, we’ll read how Jonathan Raab, writer, teacher and Afghanistan veteran feels about this book in today’s WoW – Words on Wednesdays. [Read more…]

Feb

Sue Daigneault reveals process of “Writing Shadow”

February 11, 2013 By Sue Dahlgren Daigneault

Sue Dahlgren Daigneault, whose book, In the Shadow of a Mountain , was featured on our last WoW-Words on Wednesday, takes us with her today, into the heart of her process.

Edward Dahlgren MOH

Her intimate sharing today, reminds us that warriors are not the only ones to experience transition from war, virtually over a life time. And, to be called on to meet the challenge of post traumatic stress.

We asked if Ms Daigneault was impacted by the reliving of her father’s painful transition from combat to home and civilian life after. As she explains, the transition cycle continued after his passing and then, unexpectedly through Daigneault’s own retirement and passage into yet another level of maturity and understanding.

And now…… in her own words…. [Read more…]

Feb

Preparation is foundation of CW4 (Ret.) Collins’ transition from Active Duty

February 10, 2013 By Shaun M. Collins

This week, we slide over a little on the blogger bench of our valued military guest writers and make room for Shaun M. Collins.

Shaun M. Collins

A native of Yreka, CA, Collins enlisted in the United States Army in October 1986, not long after his high school graduation.

Today, he is a retired CID Special Agent/Forensic Science Officer, family man and educator. And, he’s agreed to share with MilSuccessNet readers some of his experiences, and the conscious and the “lucky” decisions that went into preparing for a satisfying and successful transition.

Shaun Collins is co-author, with his real life partner, Pam Collins of “He Said / She Said.” The weekly advice column appears each Thursday in the “Guidon,” which is the post newspaper for Fort Leonard Wood, MO.

Soon, military members’ questions in the popular column, known for it’s balanced and practical approach, will also be featured on Military Success Network.

But first, let’s share in the insights that resulted from Shaun Collins’ process. [Read more…]