Title: External Communications Chief
Company: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Public Affairs Office
Location: Tacoma, Washington, United States
Gary Dangerfield, external communications chief of the Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Public Affairs Office, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Military for dedication, achievements, and leadership in the U.S. Army and public relations.
Overcoming a challenging upbringing, Mr. Dangerfield served more than 25 years in the military, which naturally transitioned into a career in communications. He initially joined the U.S. Army in 1987, taking a brief break to pursue his education and play football. In 2004, Mr. Dangerfield first shifted into the communications field, becoming a public affairs officer for the Army. During this time, he handled media relations for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, and then deployed to northern Iraq.
Quickly showcasing his proficiency in communications, Mr. Dangerfield then became the deputy director of Military Review, the professional journal of the Army. In this role, he managed a team of 16 in creating a 120-page publication that was sent out to 20,000 subscribers in four languages every other month. Culminating his military journey, Mr. Dangerfield accepted the position of deputy public affairs and media relations officer for the I Corps, an Army formation based out of Joint Base Lewis-McCord in Washington. He retired from the Army with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 2014.
Following his time with the Army, Mr. Dangerfield contributed for one year as the media relations manager for the Washington State Department of Social Health and Services’ Office of Communications and Government Affairs. In 2015, he returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this time as a civilian, becoming the external communications chief for the installation’s Public Affairs Office. Fulfilling these duties since then, Mr. Dangerfield has operated as an official spokesperson for the base, handling community relations and media escort requests. Skilled in both written and oral communication, he is responsible for replying to contact from media outlets seeking information on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Mr. Dangerfield first sought an education at Hutchinson Community College, receiving an Associate of Arts in general studies in 1986. After his first years in the Army, he returned to the academic world, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in radio, television and broadcasting from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1992. Subsequently, Mr. Dangerfield earned a Master of Arts in public relations from Webster University in 2011. He has supplemented his education with a wide range of military training, including completing the U.S. Army public affairs qualification course in 2004, graduating from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in 2007 and finishing the joint senior public affairs course at the Defense Information School in 2010.
Well-regarded for his accomplishments, Mr. Dangerfield has been celebrated with a number of military accolades. He was twice named Top Gun Tank Company Commander. Mr. Dangerfield was presented with an Army Commendation and won the Draper Armor Leadership Award in 2000. In 2009, he was honored with a Bronze Star for his service in Iraq and a Legion of Merit commemorating his leadership as commander of a company of more than 60 men.
In addition to his military and professional lives, Mr. Dangerfield is a loving husband and an adoring father to one son and three stepchildren. He enjoys coaching football, watching sports and spending time with his wife. While continuing his career in communications, Mr. Dangerfield envisions devoting more time in his future to making a positive impact on his immediate community. He hopes to utilize his life experience to provide others with lessons in perseverance and resilience, with a specific focus on helping children and people with special education needs.
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