Part 3 of the "Military Leadership and Local Government" Series In my previous posts, I explained how my experience as an Army company commander prepared me to lead and administer a large organization. Another lesser-known but equally relevant part of a commander’s job is performing judicial duties under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Many people don’t realize that military commanders routinely act in a judicial role. As a company commander, I presided over disc

Most people think of cold weather as something to endure. But for fruit trees, winter cold isn’t just helpful — it’s essential. Many fruit trees require a certain number of “chill hours” each winter. This period of cold dormancy allows trees to reset their internal systems and prepare for healthy growth and fruit production in the spring. Without enough cold, trees may bloom unevenly or fail to produce fruit at all. A craggy pear tree in our backyard that, surprisingly, produ

Part 2 of the “Military Leadership and Local Government” Series- In my previous post, I explained how my experience as an Army company commander translates to serving as a county judge. One of the clearest parallels is the responsibility of leading and administering a large, complex organization. Most people picture military leadership as giving orders in the field. In reality, much of a commander’s job looks a lot like running a small government. Preparing to take off with a

Leadership is leadership—whether it’s exercised in uniform or in a courthouse. During my time in the U.S. Army, I served as a Company Commander, leading close to 300 Soldiers, managing complex systems, and making decisions that directly affected people's lives. Those experiences are not only relevant to serving as a County Judge—they are foundational to how I would approach the role. Here are three key areas where my Army experience directly applies. Me and a portion of D Com