I’ve recently returned from serving a deployment with the California National Guard in Kosovo, where I worked as a Public Affairs Specialist for Multi-National Task Force East, under NATO command.

My two favorite aspects of serving the deployment was getting into schools in Kosovo and the time and material afforded for writing. So, aside from covering the affairs of our task force and making them public via YouTube and our Task Force magazine, The Guardian East, I joined the ranks of military bloggers. “My Public Affairs” was my way to say things I otherwise wouldn’t be prudent saying while wearing the Army uniform. Though I am home, the blog is still active.

I also finished my first book, Nine Weeks, about my unique experience at Army Basic Training.

I say “unique” because I was a teacher before I turned my life over to Uncle Sam. I taught educational technology at the University of San Francisco, and worked as a math coach to dozens of teachers across the state of California. Now that i’m home, I’m back in the classroom.

Pre-Army, I was a founding math instructor at two charter schools in the Bay Area. I did lots of stuff: Parent Liaison, Bilingual and Special Education Instructional Assistant, athletic coach, after-school programs coordinator, Yearbook Advisor, and Trustee. Oh, yeah, and I taught classes: math and history. I have very fond memories of Unity High School in Oakland and Leadership Public Schools in Hayward.

I earned my Masters degree in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University. Before that I was a student rabble-rouser at CSU Hayward, before it was glossed, “East Bay.” College was some of the best time in my life. At Hayward I helped found a student newspaper, The California Statesman. One day I’ll compile all of our issues into a coffee table book.

The best part of college was meeting girls. The best girl I met was Esther, who surprisingly agreed to be my wife. We have a son now, Joseph Aniefiok. I’ll probably write about him someday because he is hilarious.