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What does your job entail?I supervise other Army court reporters … for all special and general courts-martial hearings in Korea. We digitally record, then type every word recorded during the court-martial and mark and retain evidence.How did you train for it?Paralegal training, then nine weeks of additional court-reporter training.What won’t you deploy without? The holy Bible and pictures of the family. Then comes the iPod and headphones.What’s the most unusual courtroom in which you’ve worked? Puerto Rico, where the courtroom was so small … there was no room for counsel to stand to address the military judge or witnesses. This courtroom had plastic taped and stapled on the inside and portable generators, helicopters, and car alarms going on right outside. … or the courtroom in Kaiserslautern (Germany) that had windows without screens so the birds would fly in and out during court sessions.How do you handle it when witnesses mumble? Easy: We pass a note to the judge to have them remind the witness to speak up.How do servicemembers most often run afoul of the law? They let the alcohol or drugs take over.Do military courts use any backup recording systems? In all Army courtrooms in Korea, at least two separate recorders are utilized — either two digital or digital and analog. But all sessions are double recorded.What’s your state of mind? “Too blessed to be stressed.”“JAG” or “Boston Legal”?I don’t watch too much television. I am working on my bachelor’s degree as well as attending and supporting a youth ministry and Men of Valor men’s ministry.John Grisham or Scott Turow?Both authors are good … but remember that there is a difference between Grisham and Turow’s worlds and the real world.Describe a perfect day?Time to pray … then spend time with my family enjoying one another’s company … bikes, walking, playing ball or whatever. … Then spending time with my extended family and friends.A perfect meal? I am not a picky eater but a nice slice of prime rib cooked medium, sided with grilled potato slices touched with a hint of red pepper seasoning and garlic. Then side that with fresh asparagus slightly rolled in red wine vinegar over low heat … fresh hollandaise sauce touched with an extra touch of butter to drizzle over the asparagus. Of course, start with a dinner salad of a small amount of lettuce scattered with radish, carrots, red and yellow peppers, a couple of banana peppers, cold corn and diced broccoli and cauliflower, served on warm flat bread with oil/vinegar and salt/pepper.No dessert? Freshly baked apple pie with caramel/honey sauce topped on a scoop of French vanilla ice cream or peanut butter chocolate cheesecake with soft milk-chocolate topping.What’s next? For retirement years, I pray it be God’s will for me and my wife to work closely in a church as co-pastors.

Sgt. 1st Class Dan Griffith

Age: 33

Base: Yongsan Garrison, South Korea

Job: Seniors court reporter, U.S. Army Korea

Pacific readers: Know someone whose accomplishments, talents, job, hobby, volunteer work, awards or good deeds qualify them for 15 minutes of fame? How about someone whose claim to glory is a bit out of the ordinary — even, dare we say, oddball? Call Sharen Johnson at Stars and Stripes with the person’s name and contact information at DSN 229-3305 or e-mail her at: johnsons@pstripes.osd.mil.

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