Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who
grew up an Army brat. She married her own hunky hero, who’s an Army veteran. Her
life is never dull in a family with four children and two dogs. She has a
degree in psychology, speaks to various groups, is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and mentors new writers. Rapid-Fire Fiction, her
brand, is exemplified through her novels: Dead Reckoning, the Discarded Heroes military series,
which includes acclaimed novels Nightshade, Digitalis, Wolfsbane, Firethorn, and Trinity: Military War Dog. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/rapidfirefiction),
Twitter (@roniekendig), and GoodReads.
One of the most intriguing aspects of being an author is the research, and I’m often asked how I research for the military suspense I write, since I have only been an Army brat and never served. The dull answer is hours upon hours of reading, watching documentaries, interviewing heroes, immersing myself (as much as I can) in their world. However, it’s not all boring! Invariably, as I dug deeper into the military working dogs (MWDs) for my A Breed Apart series, I met some of the most heroic men and women I write about.
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One of the most intriguing aspects of being an author is the research, and I’m often asked how I research for the military suspense I write, since I have only been an Army brat and never served. The dull answer is hours upon hours of reading, watching documentaries, interviewing heroes, immersing myself (as much as I can) in their world. However, it’s not all boring! Invariably, as I dug deeper into the military working dogs (MWDs) for my A Breed Apart series, I met some of the most heroic men and women I write about.
SGT Kowtko and MWD Igor M064 |
Even
when an author might think they have a grasp on their subject, sometimes
through their research, they realize how little they really knew! That happened
with the MWDs. I had no idea there were so many different types of specializations.
For example, there are the standard working, but there are also patrol dogs,
combat tracking team dogs, narcotics dogs, tactical explosive detection dogs,
patrol dogs. In fact, I read somewhere that there are hundreds of specialty variations,
including dogs specially trained with the various Special Operations Command
branches.
It’s
been awe-inspiring to research the dogs, the handlers, and the history, and a
natural side effect of research is developing a healthy admiration for those in
the field. Such is the case with the the handler featured at the back of Talon, Combat Tracking Team, CPL Andrew
Kowtko. Through all our correspondence, he conducted himself with humility and
honor, never once bragging on himself or his accomplishments, instead he
focused on the MWDs. His humility was so strong that he never corrected in my
initial correspondence for referring to him as CPL when he had, in fact, been
promoted to SGT. But that was just the beginning of this sergeant’s humility. I
also learned from one of his superiors that SGT Kowtko had received a Purple
Heart. I was stunned—here this young man (now that I’m over 40, everyone feels
young!) had shared a combat experience with MWDs and never mentioned himself or
his courage. When he provided a biography I requested, it stunned me. Take a
peek:
My personal decorations include the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, 3 Navy Unit Commendation Ribbons, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, 2 Sea Service Deployment Ribbons, and a ISAF NATO Medal.
Sgt Kowtko & MWD Igor - bonding |
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Aspen Courtland is out to find her missing brother. Only his combat tracking dog, Talon, knows where to look. Problem is, after a brutal attack that separated dog and handler, Talon’s afraid of his own shadow. The search is on, but when one mistake means disaster, can Talon muster the courage for one last mission?
I admire you, Ronie. Your research, your heart for all of these heroes, your dedication to presenting the multi-faceted look at the military, war dogs included. Great job. Admirable, courageous, and meaningful work on all of you. God bless you in His abundance.
ReplyDeleteSo nice to get to know a bit more about these terrific dogs and their handlers.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicole! Like I said--it's so fascinating and fun, I feel like I'm cheating! :-D They are truly amazing.
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