- Tell us a little about yourself.
- I'm basically a West Coast kid that loves to ski steep mountains, mountain bike steeper mountains, play my guitar too loud and ride my even louder Harley Davidson... which drives my wife nuts!
- Tell us a little about your family.
- I have been married to my best friend for 20 years. We met in college out in Washington State, and she has been with me through my entire career of 23 years, 5 combat deployments, and more moves than I can count. We have three beautiful children, boy/ girl twins that just started 9th grade, and a 12 year old daughter that just started 7th.
- Do you have history with Fort Gordon? Have you been stationed here before or have any memories you want to share?
- I do! I came here for Signal Officer Basic Course in 1997, and returned for the Captain’s Career Course in 2001. I recall Fort Gordon fondly, to include getting slaughtered by the International Students in the annual soccer match! On a more somber note though, I remember being in the Captain's Career Course classroom on the morning of September 11th, 2001. The day the world (and our collective military careers) changed. I remember we all departed for our follow on assignments not knowing exactly what was coming, but that war was likely in our futures. I had no idea that I would end up spending 42 to 100 months deployed to combat zones and how important family resiliency would be for me and my family.
- What MWR means to you?
- So, what most people think about when you mention MWR is the ‘M’ and the ‘R’ (Morale & Recreation). As a consumer of MWR services, I totally get that. What has become clear to me as the Garrison Commander is that the most important letter is the 'W'. The welfare of our soldiers and families is the most important thing that MWR does... it is a primary weapons system for building resilience in our families in an Army that has been at war for 19 years and is currently navigating a pandemic. Things like CYS, ACS, and fitness facilities are absolutely critical to helping our service members and families handle what life throws at them. I could not be more proud of what our DFMWR Team does for Fort Gordon. I am in awe!
- Do you have goals you'd like to see accomplished for MWR?
- I will tell you, Mr. Craig Larsen, Director of FMWR, is an absolute professional in getting outside entities to want to come and hold their events on Fort Gordon. Though the pandemic has unfortunately forced the cancellation of many events this year, Craig is already working with our partners both locally and nationally to assemble a stunning calendar of events for 2021 should we come out of this COVID-19 situation. You’re going to love what he’s putting together!
- Do you have any words of encouragement for the community in regards to keeping spirits high with some MWR facilities being unavailable during COVID?
- I’m a glass half full kind of guy. What I tell everyone that will listen is this: The world is giving us lots of reasons to be pessimistic... don't fall victim to that thinking. Focus on what is still open for you to do with your family. Get outside, golf, fish, bike, run, swim in the lake, camp... do what you CAN and don't focus on what you CAN'T. It’s all about perspective. We will get through this period of time together. Of that I have zero doubt!
Written by Crystal Blackwell Tyson on October 1, 2020.
Photography by Dante Burgos.
The role of Garrison Commander is not one to be taken lightly. It takes a strong leader to fill the position. One willing to listen and make effective decisions based off facts. One able to uplift their team in the rockiest of storms, lead while following, and create an environment in which people feel they can come to you for guidance or assistance. If you have not met COL Shaw Pick already, hopefully this interview will let you in on the type of leader he is, and the vibe felt when you walk into his office.
COL Pick, a Kirkland, Washington local, graduated from the University of Washington in 1993. He was commissioned in 1997 and from there took off into a world of excitement in the Army. Although a Signal Corps Officer, COL Pick took on leadership roles one would consider out the box, working in Field Artillery as well as Special Forces, eventually leading him to the position as Garrison Commander. Upon walking into his office, we (MWR Photographer, Dante Burgos and I) were greeted with a lighthearted chuckle, "Ready when you are, come on back!" In my past experiences, these type of interviews have been very meticulous, getting straight to the point and answering the questions given during a small window of time. COL Pick, however, was ready with whatever we threw at him and said, "Just let me know what you need me to do!" He began taking his photos and answering questions about his office décor – a tomahawk with shark teeth, a traditional Hawaiian weapon, stood out most of all. He spoke of its beauty without hesitation. As we walked out of the building, he interacted with us and others, even taking a moment to discuss actual work with an employee; then, returning right where he left off in conversation. It was such an easy-going environment, I had not realized upon completion of the photo shoot, he had answered all my questions.
Based on first impressions, COL Pick seems ready to make this community the best it can be while going through a pandemic. He seems like an optimistic leader ready to put in hard work to get things accomplished while keeping the community as safe as possible. Although he creates an open, light environment, I get the feeling that things get accomplished. Yes, this pandemic has shaken and turned some things upside down, but it seems the glass will eventually get filled.
