WELCOME TO MY DIGITAL OUTPOST
Hello. I’m Jaime — retired U.S. Army combat veteran with 22 years of service as a Senior Military Intelligence Analyst and Platoon Sergeant.
This site is my personal digital outpost. A place away from the noise of social media where I share what I’ve learned from my childhood to adulthood, my (military) service years, and living with purpose after the uniform came off.
Whether you’re a fellow veteran, a curious person, a martial artist, or just someone looking to fill the void — you’re welcome here.
MISSION
Share my experiences and thoughts; equip people to live stronger, safer, and more purpose-driven lives — physically, mentally, and spiritually — through enjoyment, guidance, and community rooted in discipline and faith.
QUICK FACTS
SERVICE
- 22 years U.S. Army
- Military Intelligence
- Senior Analyst
- Platoon Sergeant
- Multiple Combat Deployments
- ISR / Geospatial Imagery
CURRENT HOBBIES
- The Great Outdoors
- Playing the Guitar
- Web / AI Development
- DIY Projects
- Reading
- Gaming
Interests
- Sōhei-Ryū
- Aftermath Program
- Preparedness Skills
- Veteran Community
- Firearms
- Drones
HOLD AND ASSAULT
A short HTML5 game for visitors. Click play, then use the fullscreen button if you need more room.
ABOUT ME
I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. My great‑grandparents immigrated from Japan, the Philippines, and Puerto Rico to work on the sugarcane plantations. My childhood was filled with sports cards, comic books, and Saturday morning cartoons with a bowl of cereal.
At 17, during my senior year of high school, I enlisted in the Hawaii Army National Guard with my parents’ consent. After graduation, I went active duty and joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Intelligence field.
I am happily married, and together we have two sons who are now young adults carving out their own paths in life. We also have a Miniature Pinscher named Rufus, a spirited little dog with the personality of a much larger one. He keeps our home lively and never fails to make his presence known.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, along with Associate degrees in Criminology/Criminal Justice and Firearms Technology. I also completed a Certificate in Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) and am currently preparing for the FAA Part 107 exam to obtain my Remote Pilot Certificate. I am considering pursuing a Master’s degree in Geographic Information Systems, though I have not made a final decision.
My interests include history, martial arts, and continually improving my life skills. My hobbies range from playing guitar and reading to gaming and spending time outdoors.
I’m the creator of Sōhei-Ryū, a hybrid martial arts system. I also run AnAmericanVeteran.com, a veteran-led blog dedicated to sharing stories, resources, and insights for the veteran community.
The Sōhei‑Ryū lifestyle and the commitment to continuous self‑improvement shape everything I do.
Layout of My Family's Arrival in Hawaii
Three Family Crest = ALOHAWAII
MILITARY SERVICE
I served 22 years in the United States Army as a Senior Intelligence Analyst with the duties and responsibilities of a Platoon Sergeant. My work centered on Collection Management (CM) and the Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance (ISR) missions in support of Combined/Joint Task Force Operations across multiple deployments.
The experience taught the value of clear-eyed analysis, disciplined preparation, and looking out for the people to your left and right. Those lessons still guide how I approach my post-military life.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SERVICE
- Situational awareness is a lifestyle, not a task.
- Preparation beats reaction every time.
- Leadership is about responsibility, not rank.
- The brotherhood formed under pressure lasts a lifetime.
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE BRANCH INSIGNIA
The Military Intelligence Branch Insignia consists of a gold color metal dagger, point up, with a gold heraldic sun composed of four straight and four wavy alternating rays, surmounted by a gold heraldic rose whose petals are dark blue enamel.
Symbolism: The sun represents Helios, who could see and hear everything. The four straight rays allude to the four points of the compass and the worldwide mission of the branch. The rose is an ancient symbol of secrecy. The partially concealed dagger alludes to the aggressive and protective requirements of the mission and the element of physical danger. Gold signifies successful accomplishment; dark blue signifies vigilance and loyalty.
Left: Military Intelligence Branch plaque • Center: Branch Insignia • Right: Military Intelligence Corps Regimental Crest
MILITARY INTELLIGENCE CORPS REGIMENTAL CREST
The Military Intelligence Corps Regimental Crest is a gold color metal and enamel device consisting of an oriental blue shield bearing a lightning flash and a key (ward up) saltirewise, superimposed by a gold sphinx. Below the shield is a gold scroll inscribed “ALWAYS OUT FRONT” in black letters.
Symbolism: Oriental blue and silver gray are the colors associated with the Military Intelligence Corps. The key, lightning flash, and sphinx symbolize the three basic categories of intelligence: human, signal, and tactical. The motto “ALWAYS OUT FRONT” reflects the forward location of intelligence collection. The flaming torch between crossed swords (appearing on the full coat of arms) suggests the illumination that intelligence provides on the field of battle.
U.S. ARMY MILITARY INTELLIGENCE DISCIPLINES
Army Military Intelligence draws on multiple collection and analysis disciplines. These “INTs” work together to give commanders timely, relevant, and accurate understanding of the operational environment.
CI
Counterintelligence — activities that protect friendly forces, information, and operations from foreign intelligence services, insider threats, sabotage, and subversion. CI identifies hostile collection efforts, assesses vulnerabilities, and works to detect, deceive, disrupt, or neutralize those threats. It is both a defensive shield and an offensive tool for protecting operational security.
HUMINT
Human Intelligence — information collected from people. This includes debriefings, interviews, source operations, and liaison with partner forces or local contacts. HUMINT provides context that machines and sensors often cannot: intent, motivation, relationships, and ground-level insight into what an adversary or population is actually thinking and doing.
SIGINT
Signals Intelligence — intelligence derived from intercepted electromagnetic signals. SIGINT covers both communications and non-communications emissions. It is used to locate emitters, understand adversary command-and-control, track activity, and support targeting and warning. SIGINT is commonly divided into COMINT and ELINT.
COMINT
Communications Intelligence — a subset of SIGINT focused on foreign communications traffic. This includes voice, text, and data transmissions across radio, telephone, satellite, and other networks. COMINT helps answer who is talking, what is being discussed, how networks are organized, and what those communications reveal about plans, timing, and intent.
ELINT
Electronic Intelligence — a subset of SIGINT focused on non-communications electronic emissions such as radar, navigation aids, and weapons-related systems. ELINT is used to identify, locate, and characterize those systems. It supports threat recognition, electronic order of battle, and understanding of an adversary’s detection and targeting capabilities.
GEOINT
Geospatial Intelligence — analysis of imagery and geospatial data to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activity. GEOINT combines satellite and aerial imagery, maps, terrain data, and other location-based information to answer where something is, what it looks like, how it has changed, and why that location matters. This was my primary MOS as a Geospatial Intelligence Imagery Analyst.
MASINT
Measurement and Signature Intelligence — technically derived intelligence that detects, locates, tracks, identifies, or describes unique characteristics of targets. MASINT looks at signatures such as radar, infrared, acoustic, seismic, chemical, or nuclear emissions. It is especially useful for identifying objects or events that may not be obvious through imagery or communications alone.
OSINT
Open-Source Intelligence — intelligence produced from publicly available information that is collected, evaluated, and analyzed to answer a specific question. Sources can include news reporting, social media, public records, academic publications, commercial imagery, and government releases. Information only becomes intelligence when it is placed in context and used to support a decision or investigation.
TECHINT
Technical Intelligence — intelligence derived from the collection, examination, and exploitation of foreign equipment, weapons, and materiel. TECHINT helps determine how a system works, what it is capable of, how it is employed, and how it can be countered. It turns captured or recovered hardware into usable knowledge for commanders, analysts, and force developers.
ALL-SOURCE
All-Source Intelligence — the integration of information from multiple disciplines into a single, more complete assessment. No single INT tells the whole story. All-source analysis compares HUMINT, SIGINT, GEOINT, OSINT, MASINT, CI, and other reporting to resolve contradictions, fill gaps, and produce a clearer picture for the commander.
The lessons of Military Intelligence — rigorous analysis, disciplined collection, and the constant question “Why does this matter?” — remain central to my preparation today and my readiness for tomorrow.
SŌHEI-RYŪ | Warrior Monk System
Sōhei-Ryū is a hybrid martial arts system developed for practical self-defense, functional strength, progressive skill development, and character building.
The name draws from the warrior-monk tradition — individuals who trained both body and spirit with purpose. The system is designed for real capability under pressure, not sport competition or empty forms. Training emphasizes efficiency, adaptability, and the discipline required to protect yourself and others.
The system is open to anyone serious about building real skill across body, mind, and spirit.
TRAINING PHILOSOPHY
Capability without character is dangerous. Character without capability is incomplete. Sōhei-Ryū develops both — practical fighting skill paired with the discipline, awareness, and responsibility to use it correctly.
CORE INFLUENCES
Sōhei-Ryū draws from proven combative traditions and modern tactical application. Each influence contributes specific tools, principles, or training methods that are integrated into a coherent system rather than practiced in isolation.
OKINAWAN KARATE
Strong stances, powerful linear strikes, hip rotation, and disciplined kata. Provides structural foundation, body mechanics, and the habit of precise, decisive technique.
JAPANESE KEMPO/HAWAII KENPO
Rapid combination striking, practical self-defense applications, and fluid transitions between ranges. Emphasizes efficiency and continuous pressure in close-quarters engagement.
BAK MEI & LUNG YING KUNG FU
Aggressive short-range power, whipping strikes, clawing and trapping methods, and explosive body mechanics. Adds intensity, unique hand methods, and close-range dominance.
FILIPINO MARTIAL ARTS
Weapon-based training that translates directly to empty-hand skill. Develops timing, angle awareness, flow, and the ability to fight with or without tools under pressure.
MUAY BORAN
Traditional Thai combat methods emphasizing elbows, knees, clinch work, and full-body striking. Builds toughness, close-range control, and powerful short-weapon tools.
GRAPPLING ARTS
Ground survival, positional control, escapes, and basic submissions. Ensures the practitioner is not helpless if the fight goes to the ground and can recover to a standing or dominant position.
FIREARMS TRAINING & TACTICS
Safe handling, marksmanship fundamentals, defensive shooting principles, and integration of firearms into a complete personal protection framework. Skill with tools is part of modern readiness.
WHAT YOU TRAIN
Training in Sōhei-Ryū develops progressive movements, practical self-defense sequences, functional strength and conditioning, situational awareness, and the mental discipline required to perform under stress. The goal is usable skill — the ability to protect yourself and others when it matters — supported by continuous physical and character development.
Membership and certification through Sōhei-Ryū provide structured paths so progress is measurable and intentional.
PREPAREDNESS & RESILIENCE
Preparedness is stewardship. It is the deliberate decision to take responsibility for yourself, your family, and your community before a crisis arrives.
Whether the disruption is a severe weather event, prolonged power outage, civil unrest, supply chain failure, or personal medical emergency, the goal remains the same: be ready so you can take care of your people and still be in a position to help others when it counts.
True preparedness is not about stockpiling for an apocalypse. It is about building practical capability across several domains so that when systems fail or slow down, you are not starting from zero. It combines physical readiness, mental resilience, practical skills, and the quiet discipline of consistent preparation.
CORE PRINCIPLE
Preparedness is a lifestyle of responsibility, not a hobby of fear. The more capable you become, the less you have to fear, and the more useful you are to those around you.
PREPPING DOMAINS & SKILLS
Effective preparation covers multiple overlapping areas. The following domains form a practical framework for building resilience. Progress in any of them improves your overall posture.
SCENARIOS & RESPONSE PLAN
Identify realistic local and regional threats. Build written emergency plans for evacuation, shelter-in-place, communication, and family reunification. Practice the plans. Review and update them regularly.
KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS
First aid, basic trauma care, navigation, fire-starting, water purification, food preservation, basic repairs, and decision-making under stress. Skills compound; equipment without knowledge is just weight.
WATER & FOOD
Store water and the means to purify more. Maintain a rotating food supply of shelf-stable staples you actually eat. Learn long-term storage methods and basic gardening or foraging as force multipliers.
ENERGY & HEAT
Backup power options (generators, solar, batteries), fuel storage, safe heating methods, and lighting. Understand how to stay warm or cool without grid power while managing carbon monoxide and fire risks.
MEDICAL & HYGIENE
Trauma kits, prescription medications, over-the-counter supplies, sanitation items, and knowledge of wound care and infection prevention. Hygiene becomes critical when normal services are disrupted.
SHELTER & CLOTHING
Ability to maintain or improvise shelter. Layered clothing systems for weather extremes, sturdy footwear, and rain/cold weather gear. A solid roof and dry clothes prevent cascading problems.
TOOLS & EQUIPMENT
Quality multi-tools, cutting tools, fastening tools, lighting, communication devices, and repair materials. Prioritize durable, multi-use items you know how to operate and maintain.
SELF-DEFENSE & SECURITY
Situational awareness, physical skills, legal firearms proficiency, home security layers, and the mindset to avoid or de-escalate when possible. Capability creates options and deters problems.
VEHICLES & TRANSPORTATION
Maintain reliable vehicles with spare fuel, recovery gear, and basic tools. Have alternate routes and the ability to move on foot if necessary. Mobility is a form of security.
PETS & LIVESTOCK
Food, water, medical supplies, and containment plans for animals in your care. Include them in evacuation and shelter plans rather than treating them as an afterthought.
COMMUNITY & COMMUNICATION
Trusted local networks, backup communication methods (radios, out-of-area contacts), and the willingness to cooperate with capable neighbors. Isolation is a vulnerability; mutual support is strength.
OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE
Collect and analyze publicly available information to answer specific questions about threats, people, places, or events. Turn raw data into actionable insight through structured analysis and critical thinking. OSINT is a force multiplier for awareness and decision-making.
HOW I APPROACH IT
My approach to preparedness is shaped by 22 years of military service, multiple deployments, and the practical realities of living in the United States. I emphasize functional fitness, realistic threat assessment, personal protection mindset and home defense safety, and the mental frameworks that keep people steady when conditions degrade.
The focus is always on capability you can actually use — not gear lists or fear-based marketing.
OPEN SOURCE INTELLIGENCE — OSINT
Open Source Intelligence is the process of collecting and analyzing publicly available information to answer a specific intelligence question.
It’s important to understand that information alone is not intelligence. Without context, interpretation, and meaning, open-source findings remain raw data. Only through critical thinking and structured analysis does that data become actionable intelligence.
Conducting OSINT is not simply saving someone’s Facebook friends list or collecting random data points. Effective OSINT requires identifying information that directly supports the intelligence question and producing insights that can be used in an investigation. At its core, OSINT demands answering a key analytic prompt: Why does this data matter? Intelligence emerges when collected information is examined, interpreted, and connected to a meaningful purpose.
EVERYDAY OSINT
In reality, most people use open-source information every day without realizing it. You might look up a seller on Facebook Marketplace to verify their credibility, research someone you met on a dating app, or check a candidate’s background before hiring them. The ease of “just Googling” someone and finding results quickly is common in today’s digital world. Nearly everyone has a digital footprint, and even a simple name search can reveal a surprising amount of information. These everyday examples show how accessible open-source data is—and how quickly it can be used to form an initial assessment of a person.
COMMON OSINT TECHNIQUES
Open-source intelligence encompasses a wide range of methods for collecting and analyzing publicly available information. Some of the most common techniques include:
SEARCH ENGINES
Tools like Google, Bing, and Yahoo allow analysts to quickly locate relevant information. Advanced search operators help refine results and filter out noise.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Platforms such as X (Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn provide insight into trends, sentiment, behavior, and potential threats. Monitoring social activity can reveal patterns and connections.
PUBLIC RECORDS
Court documents, property records, business filings, and other public databases offer valuable information on individuals, organizations, and events.
NEWS SOURCES
Newspapers, magazines, and online news outlets help analysts track current events, emerging trends, and developing situations.
WEB SCRAPING
Automated tools can extract large amounts of data from websites, enabling analysts to gather information quickly and efficiently.
DATA ANALYSIS
Programs like Excel, Tableau, and R help identify patterns, relationships, and trends within large datasets, turning raw information into meaningful insights.
Visit the platform: Coming Soon
VETERAN RESOURCES (FORT HOOD / CENTRAL TEXAS)
Useful starting points for veterans and families in the Fort Hood / Killeen / Copperas Cove area and beyond.
VA HEALTHCARE & BENEFITS
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VA Central Texas Health Care System
Main system serving the Fort Hood region (Temple, Waco, Austin, and local clinics).
va.gov/central-texas-health-care -
Killeen VA Clinic
Outpatient primary care clinic serving Killeen and surrounding areas.
Killeen VA Clinic -
Olin E. Teague Veterans’ Medical Center (Temple)
Main hospital for the Central Texas VA system.
Temple VA Medical Center -
VA Benefits (Disability, Education, Home Loans, etc.)
Official portal to apply for and manage VA benefits.
va.gov/benefits -
Texas Veterans Commission (TVC)
State-level assistance with claims, employment, education, and more.
tvc.texas.gov
MENTAL HEALTH & CRISIS SUPPORT
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Veterans Crisis Line
24/7 confidential support for Veterans in crisis. Dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255.
VeteransCrisisLine.net -
Killeen Heights Vet Center
Confidential counseling for combat Veterans, MST survivors, and families (no VA enrollment required).
Killeen Heights Vet Center
TRICARE & ACTIVE / RETIREE CARE
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Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center (Fort Hood)
Primary military treatment facility for Fort Hood and the surrounding community.
darnall.tricare.mil -
TRICARE Official Site
Plan information, enrollment, and provider search.
tricare.mil
COMMUNITY
Building connections that last beyond the uniform. The goal is simple: create spaces where veterans, families, and supporters can train, grow, and look after one another.
COMMUNITY & LOCAL SUPPORT
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Team RWB (Team Red, White & Blue)
National health and wellness community for Veterans focused on physical activity, connection, and enriching lives after service. Active chapter presence in the Fort Hood / Central Texas area.
teamrwb.org -
Bring Everyone Into The Zone (BEITZ)
Local 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in the Killeen / Fort Hood area providing peer support, training, and assistance for Service Members, Veterans, and families dealing with PTSD, TBI, MST, and other challenges.
bringeveryoneinthezone.org -
VeteranJaime Network
Discord community focused on health, faith, martial arts, preparedness, fitness, and lifelong learning for veterans and supporters.
WHAT WE'RE BUILDING
The long-term aim is a practical network of mutual support — training partners, knowledge sharing, and real-world readiness — centered in the Fort Hood / Central Texas region and open to anyone who shares the same standard.