In the Army now

Rejuvenate Associate Editor gives up bylines for frontlines.

By Joan Drammeh

Three things crossed my mind last August as I approached the office of Newton B. Collinson IV, publisher at Collinson Media and Events, with the guidelines for an Army Officer Candidate School letter of recommendation.

First, the fact that my boss, Major Collinson, USMCR, is a man who takes great pride in his service as a Marine Corps officer. Second, the pull-up bar standing tall in Newt’s office, which represented his level of commitment to physical fitness and the limits of my own female form. Third, the “Our Heroes” whiteboard that hangs in the office break room and lists names of enlisted soldiers who hold a special place in the hearts and prayers of Collinson employees.

From the moment I entered his office to my final day of work in March 2010, Newt and the Collinson family and staff offered me nothing but support and well wishes.

They also kept me on my toes. Although Newt III, president of Collinson Media and Events, never yelled, “drop and give me 20,” he did keep me alert with weekly reminders of my impending ship out date. “How many days left Joan?” he would greet me in the mornings.
One day I arrived at work to discover a jug of creatine supplements on my desk compliments of Chris Collinson, publisher of Rejuvenate, a man on a health kick who would put Russell Simmons to shame.

With an energy supplement infused into a workout regime consisting of 3-mile morning runs and nightly dates with Tony Horton and Shaun T. — famed fitness gurus of P90X and Insanity workout programs — my confidence grew and the possibility of surviving boot camp seemed feasible.
My final day of work included a camouflage-themed surprise party filled with smiling faces, kind words, many hugs and detailed demonstrations on the proper way to do a military push-up. Looking around the room I saw examples of female empowerment in Chief Financial Officer Leslie Collinson and Editorial Director Christine Born. As I prepared to leave one family to join another, it was comforting to know my name would soon be a fixture on the esteemed Collinson whiteboard.

Joan Drammeh is currently at boot camp in Fort Sill, Okla. She will attend Officer Candidate School in Fort Benning, Ga. Her Military Occupational Specialty is Intelligence.