Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
Photos by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="576" caption="Sgt. Bryan Ploughe recently had this photo published in the U.S. Army’s Fires Bulletin. It’s something he’s proud of, not just for him, but for the recognition it brings on his unit. (Photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative.)"]
Every week for the past year or so kentuckyguard.com has published stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. For those who don't know, this is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story.
Today's story is different. Today the story is about
a UPAHR instead of being presented by
one.
GLASGOW, Ky. -- Sgt. Bryan Ploughe is a dynamo. If you don't believe it, just ask anyone around him. The man never has a bad day. He's one of those guys who has a passion for life and loves being around Soldiers and the National Guard. During last year's flooding in western Kentucky he was on the road for days documenting the mission of his unit, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, and getting photos that the mainstream media couldn't get due to impassable roads and dangerous conditions.
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="240" caption="On May 5, 2011, Sgt. Bryan Ploughe shot this photo of the Army Corps of Engineers detonating a levee located on the Mississippi River near Hickman, Ky. (Photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative.)"]
Click here for one of Ploughe's stories on the 623rd's flood mission.
He's also been on hand to photograph Kentucky National Guard Soldiers taking part in prestigious events like the Running of the Roses, aka, the Kentucky Derby.
Ploughe's passion sometimes gets out of hand. Whether he's on the phone during his regular personnel services duties for the troops or as the unit's safety NCO, you know he's in the office.
His enthusiasm is even evident when he signs off the phone:
"Have a Ploughe day!"
"We used to have to tell Bryan to use his inside voice," joked retired Sgt. Maj. Joey Simpson. "His energy is overwhelming, but you know his heart is in the right place. He just loves the Kentucky National Guard."
"My wife says I'm loud," Ploughe admitted. "I just think I project well."
Ploughe's most recent accomplishment being named runner up in a photo competition held by Fires Bulletin, the U.S. Army's official artillery magazine. It's something he's proud of, not so much for himself as for the recognition it brings on his unit.
Click here to see the January-February edition of Fires Bulletin.
"Getting that photo published in an Army-wide magazine is just great!" he said. "I love showing what Soldiers do, especially in a society that too often focuses on the negative."
Ploughe pursues his responsibilities as a UPAHR with same intensity as he does everything else -- as though it's his mission in life.
"I try hard to get the word out to the community what the Guard does," he said. "It's not just parades, not just junior guard stuff. We're there for support during floods and tornadoes, and we have to go fight wars.
[caption id="" align="alignleft" width="240" caption="Ploughe shot this photo of Spc. James Farris at the winners circle during last year's Kentucky Derby. (Photo by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe, 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, Kentucky National Guard)"]
"Our communities have been there for us and we've been there for them. It's my job to show what our troops are doing on their behalf."
A veteran of the war in Iraq, Ploughe plans to pursue military journalism as an MOS. He's currently scheduled to attend the public affairs basic course later this year.
"I can't wait to get trained up," he said. "It's gonna be great!"
In the words of the good sergeant,
have a Ploughe day!
For information on the UPAHR program contact Capt. Stephen Martin, 502-607-1798 email
stephen.d.martin@us.army.mil.