What about Bob?

I’m Bob Duker.  I spent twelve years in government service, starting in the Army in Europe in the mid-1980s, and then more than twenty years in IT.  Both taught me the same lesson: say what you mean, do what you said you would, and show up.

Twelve years of service

It began in the Army in Europe, where I was a Bradley driver and part of the Boeselager team.  I went on to serve as an assistant instructor in armored reconnaissance.  Later I led a California National Guard counter-drug team and served as NCOIC at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro ports of entry.  I also worked in Navy intelligence and with the U.S. Customs Service.

Twenty-plus years in IT

After that came more than twenty years in information technology, including Technology Operations Manager and, later, Senior Manager of Technology Services for a school district and a municipality.  If it plugged in, I was probably responsible for it.

God & Country are in my soul.

Why a Duck Pond

The name comes from the farm we used to have.  It had a big red barn, a real pond, and a menagerie: ducks, geese, turkeys, emus, fainting goats, three Shibas, and a Czech Shepherd named Kota.  Fitz the goose was the famous one.  That farm is part of my past now, but the name stayed.

I write the way I always have: plain-spoken, a little stubborn, and from the cheap seats.  The Duck Pond is where my X posts get room to stretch out.

You can find me on X at @2Pennies_Table.