THE INTIMATE STORIES OF PEOPLE'S LIVES AFFECTED BY WAR...
The military is leaving the missing behind
An investigation into the Pentagon's failing mission to find and identify the remains of thousands of servicemembers who were missing in action from past conflicts. I discovered that the agency, the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Command, had ignored advances in science and rarely used DNA in its efforts. The story resulted in a major overhaul of the mission. This story was done in partnership with NPR, airing on All Things Considered.
An investigation into the Pentagon's failing mission to find and identify the remains of thousands of servicemembers who were missing in action from past conflicts. I discovered that the agency, the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Command, had ignored advances in science and rarely used DNA in its efforts. The story resulted in a major overhaul of the mission. This story was done in partnership with NPR, airing on All Things Considered.
Forever After: A warrior wounded, a family challenged
One bullet. One choice. One American military family shattered. This is a three-chapter story about what happens to a family and the decisions they have to make when two sons go off to war and come home wounded. It details seven years of caregiving and fighting the Department of Veteran Affairs. This story was a finalist for the American Newspaper Editor's Society Distinguished Writing Award for Nondeadline writing and took second in the National Headliner Awards. Finalist for the Livingston Award.
One bullet. One choice. One American military family shattered. This is a three-chapter story about what happens to a family and the decisions they have to make when two sons go off to war and come home wounded. It details seven years of caregiving and fighting the Department of Veteran Affairs. This story was a finalist for the American Newspaper Editor's Society Distinguished Writing Award for Nondeadline writing and took second in the National Headliner Awards. Finalist for the Livingston Award.
Maltreated and hazed, one soldier is driven to take his own life
An investigative piece based on a year of FOIA requests and helping a reticent whistle-blower feel comfortable coming forward. It garnered much attention, including mentions in Congressional hearings and from other media outlets, such as Time magazine.
Army vet with PTSD sought the treatment he needed by taking hostages – but got jail instead
This story was based off an exclusive jail-house interview with the veteran and looks at how the Army's failures in dealing with mental health issues sometimes leads to desperate acts.
War-torn marriage: Family shattered by TBI, PTSD picks up pieces
The story of how one wife chose to stay when her Marine husband came home from war a drastically different man.
Searching for answers after a soldier's suicide
A look at the troubling increase in Army suicide through the eyes of one mother who lost her son. The story foils her story with the Army's attempt to build a profile a typical at-risk soldier.
An investigative piece based on a year of FOIA requests and helping a reticent whistle-blower feel comfortable coming forward. It garnered much attention, including mentions in Congressional hearings and from other media outlets, such as Time magazine.
Army vet with PTSD sought the treatment he needed by taking hostages – but got jail instead
This story was based off an exclusive jail-house interview with the veteran and looks at how the Army's failures in dealing with mental health issues sometimes leads to desperate acts.
War-torn marriage: Family shattered by TBI, PTSD picks up pieces
The story of how one wife chose to stay when her Marine husband came home from war a drastically different man.
Searching for answers after a soldier's suicide
A look at the troubling increase in Army suicide through the eyes of one mother who lost her son. The story foils her story with the Army's attempt to build a profile a typical at-risk soldier.
An explanatory story about an aggressive technique developed on the battlefield to save soldiers with severe head traumas, as told through the story of one Army Ranger from inside the operating room at Walter Reed hospital.
Delving beyond the headlines...
Insider outrage: Families feel added sense of violation, betrayal
A look at what the families of insider attack victims go through in coping with their loved ones death in Afghanistan by the hand of those they were trying to help. Related: Troops told to get closer to the men who might be thinking of killing you.
Vets' transition to civilian jobs often includes a perceived step down
With the oft reported high unemployment rate of veterans, this story examines how vets' expectations play a role. Servicemembers are used to proudly wearing their valor on their chest and having that distinguish them. Yet they can't use “courage” as a bullet point on a resume, and they struggle to accept their experiences leading hundreds of men in battle doesn't often earn them a rung on the ladder higher than entry level.
A look at what the families of insider attack victims go through in coping with their loved ones death in Afghanistan by the hand of those they were trying to help. Related: Troops told to get closer to the men who might be thinking of killing you.
Vets' transition to civilian jobs often includes a perceived step down
With the oft reported high unemployment rate of veterans, this story examines how vets' expectations play a role. Servicemembers are used to proudly wearing their valor on their chest and having that distinguish them. Yet they can't use “courage” as a bullet point on a resume, and they struggle to accept their experiences leading hundreds of men in battle doesn't often earn them a rung on the ladder higher than entry level.
