The Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina

At a young age, I learned that violence is not okay. I did not live in the nicest neighborhood but I did not live in the worst neighborhood.

Fort Monroe, Virginia, has been a major post of the U.S. Army for over 166 years. Fort Monroe is the largest stone fortication in the United States, moated and covering sixty-three acres and cost nearly two million dollars. It was the crown jewel of America’s defense and was built at a great expense following the British invasion during the War of 1812 and named after President James Monroe. Fort Monroe was a vital piece in America’s defense and history.

Mr. Reynolds described direct exposure to trauma by experiencing recurrent threats of death, injury, witnessing the death and injury of close compatriots. Prior to expressing symptoms or exposure to the traumatic events, Mr. Reynolds described himself as a “happy-go-lucky,” “upbeat,” and enjoyed activities such as boot camp. He did not discuss or display pre-existing disorders or history of maltreatment or trauma prior to deployment. There was no discussion or mention of biological or inherited traits relating to trauma, anxiety, or aggression. Socioculturally however, as an African American man growing up in a “financially struggling household” suggests that perhaps while

Navy jargon refers to its correctional facilities as "brigs" regardless of size or classification. Currently the Navy and Marine Corps shore confinement facilities or brigs are classified at what is considered “levels”. At the base, Pre-trial Confinement Facilities (PFC) may be used as a matter of necessity for post-trial confinement for up to 30 days. Level I, is authorized for pre (awaiting court) & post-trial (sentenced) confinement of members serving adjusted sentences not to exceed six months and with approval up to 1 year. Level II, is authorized for pre & post-trial confinement of members serving adjusted sentences not to exceed 5 years. Level III, is authorized for pre & post-trial confinement of members serving adjusted sentences of greater than 5 years and up to death sentences (SECNAVINST 1640.9C). In addition to the shore confinement, Ships ' Brigs are authorized for confinement of personnel attached to, or embarked upon a ship, and may be used for periods of post-trial confinement of up to 30 days. Pretrial confinement aboard a vessel at sea may continue only until the individual can be transferred to a confinement facility ashore.

Fort sumter was built after the war of 1812 for coastal defence. It was built on a man made island that was 2.4 acres. Fort sumter was one of the 50 forts built as part of the so called third system. South carolina built the island by hauling a thousands of tons of granite out to the island. However the ground building stop when there was disputes over who owned the harbor. The building did not resume until 1841. Fort sumter was a very costly fort. Construction slow again due to the lack of money need to build the fort. By 1860 the island was completed along with the walls to the fort. Fort sumter is famous for being the first shots fired ofthe civil war. The fort could hold 650 soldiers and 135 artillery pieces. Construction was still underway

Soon, so many Blacks were in Saint Augustine that the Spanish built a town for the blacks called Fort Mose. Today in Augustine, nothing remains of it; it has sunk into the coast. It was the first all black settlement in “our” new world or “Promise Land”. So many slaves tried to escape there that the British would bur them in public as an act of embarrassment and obedience, it slowed down the flow. In 1739, 20 Kango warriors got fed up, and caused one of the biggest slaves revolts in the history of the British colonies; this happened 300 miles north of Fort Mose in the Sturno River. It started off at dawn on September 9th ,1739; at a white owned store called “Hudsons” was burned to the ground. After being looted, with guns, and ammunition

The five-year-old boy watched as his older brother began to point the gun towards his mother's head. She began to tremble and shake in fear. Tears flowed down her face like raindrops rolling down a window. He saw his brother show no fear in his eyes. As the gang of 11 or so boys hovered behind him, they watched him as if something was supposed to happen. Before I could take my eyes off the group, a loud shot rang through my ears. I couldn't believe what my eyes had just witnessed. This is just one of the many testimonies that have yet to be told from the perpetrator's point of view. A lot of people look at these kids and feel empathy for them because there they were drugged, kidnapped, or forced into these ragtag armies . However, I know at

As a native of South Central, I have heard an overabundance of police sirens and helicopter noise coalition. I have seen streets filled with homeless men and women, and even worse, people my age discriminating against those same individuals. Experiencing fear just by walking through your own community is something that is common amongst several people in my community. Due to the insight you have on what happens to some unfortunate people, fills you with unease and causes you to feel restricted. I have personally witnessed hazing in many social groups of my neighborhood. Since witnessing these tragic events, I have realized what kind of problems I am truly exposed to in my community. The choice I had to make then was to either fall victim to the issues and let

It was then that in my heart I realized the answer to my own question of how I would have protected my daughter and myself given the extent of the scenario. I would be lying to myself, to you, and to God if I did not admit that if I had access to an unfeeling, unthinking, non intellectual inanimate object, i.e., a gun that situation; without a doubt I would have used

But I know that I still do the right thing by not giving in. Things have come full circle, in an eerie sort of way. This summer I worked as a summer camp counselor at my synagogue. One day, much like that chilly Saturday youth group, we got pulled aside and told the synagogue was on lockdown. We had to continue as normal and not act scared; it wasn’t just for our sake, but the kids as well. I didn’t feel an ounce of fear, not then, not after when I learned there was a shooter targeting our synagogue and when he was apprehended, he wasn’t fifteen minutes away from us. They say hindsight is twenty-twenty. I look back and see where I was coming from. But I know the dangers are real. And knowing that makes me

I used to think that police brutality was something that happened in the 60 's and its remains could only be found in my history book. But then, Trayvon on February 26, 2012. I used to think that only Black boys who were caught in the dark in southern states like Florida could be killed. I used to believe it would not hit any closer to home. I used to think my father was safe whenever he left the house. I used to think that as long as we were inside when the sun set.... But then, Eric on July 17, 2014. I used to think "at least Alex is safe...at least I know my little brother will be here every day when I get home." But then Tamir on November 22, 2014. Before it could even register that my body is not safe from being used as target practice, Sandra on July 13, 2015. I could leave my mother on her knees in unexplainable pain and grief or worse, she could leave me.

Even though I have not experienced violence directly, violence has affected my life in several ways. How I feel about the violence happening around us is affected by what I see and hear on the news, social media, and on my phone. Recently on the news, ten women, eight children, seven men, and an unborn child were the victims of a violent attack of shooting

The date was September 11, 2001, and my son who was less than a year old and myself were heading into the city to go to the NYC Health Department. What started out as a very normal day didn't end up quite that way. I can still remember it as if it was yesterday, and the horrors that I saw left scars in my mind and has made me see the world a lot differently than I did on September 10th. There was now a fear of the unknown, a fear of strangers and of people who are different than me. However, as the years went on I've come to the realization that while there may be evil in the world, not everyone is evil and we're all humans with humanity. That humanity has led me to care for those who are less fortunate than I am. Those such as the refugees who are going through their own struggles and while I may think that my life may be rough at times, there are those who are going through a much more difficult time. I have a roof over my head, I have designer clothes in my closet and shoes on my feet. Food in abundance to eat and money to spend, and I take quite a lot

It was at night when it all happened. “Good night Darwin and Anny”, I said to my children and they replied “Good Night daddy”. Darwin was 10 Anny was 4. Then my wife said “Let’s go Mike”, I replied back “Ok” she was 20 I was 29. This night was to be unforgiving. For it was when they broke in and killed my family before I even knew about it. now you're wondering who are “they”? Well first you must know my past. I served in the special ops commando. We took out threats and vanished before anyone knew and because on one mission we failed and lost two great men. The men I knew the most this tragic night happened. The mission name was Operation Whiplash and plan was to take out a terrorist group called The Cons. You're wondering why such an american

Respondent: When I was 14 or 15. When I first experienced, what'd you say, violence?