It’s been a few issues since I took the center seat here on our newspaper, and I thought I’d introduce myself and share some ideas, expectations and requests I have for ‘‘The Standard” as we prepare to move into a new year.

I arrived here in August after deploying for two years to Iraq as a mobilized Army Reserve Soldier serving with the 3rd Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

Since joining the Army in 1987 I have worked on Army newspapers in combat theaters and at several bases at home and overseas as a Soldier and as a government civilian and contractor here in the States. I have worked for a newspaper at a Naval Air Station and as a public affairs officer for the Department of Defense. Telling the story of the people who defend our nation has been my calling and what I love to do.

From the day I started here I tell anyone who asks what it’s like the same thing – this is one of the most customer service oriented places I have ever worked at. It is truly an honor to be part of the Fort Detrick family.

Having said that let me tell you my charter for your community newspaper, because ‘‘The Standard” does belong to all of you, as I move forward and how you can help me as well.

To start with, my plan is have all of the Fort Detrick community involved. It does not matter if you are in an Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine uniform; if you are assigned here you are part of the team. I feel the same about all the civilians here as well.

If I attempted to list every organization on Fort Detrick it would be a long list and, if you have read this far, I thinks it’s safe to assume you’d stop. So if I may say it in a blanket statement, thanks to you all. That includes those who read ‘‘The Standard” online, and our retirees who enjoy the paper. You are all as important a part of the family as anyone, and I recognize that.

So, what do I need from you, the loyal reader? If you have something you think would be of interest to the rest of the team, let me know!

Please don’t wait until the day of an event because chances are that will be too late. I want to serve you all to the best of my ability, but to paraphrase a major newspaper tagline, if I don’t get it, I don’t get it.

You can reach me at my email address: nicholas.minecci@amedd.army.mil, or at (301) 619-1170 to let me know about upcoming or newsworthy events.

Also, please understand and have patience as realistically there is a staff of one for ‘‘The Standard.” If I am not at my desk, please leave a message.

Now for a little inside baseball, you will see some design changes to ‘‘The Standard” in the coming months. I have already incorporated some minor tweaks and plan to unveil some major redesign elements soon. My fervent desire is to make ‘‘The Standard” appealing to you, and bring you local news from our community, and keep you informed of what’s going on around the Army.

How will I know how I’m doing? One way is for you to provide feedback. Since I started I haven’t received a single letter to the editor, I hope that changes. Without your input I can’t meet the needs of the audience, so please don’t hesitate to email me to say what you like, dislike or to ask my favorite recipe.

I hope you have an idea of where ‘‘The Standard” is heading and that you look forward to each issue. Have a great and safe Halloween, and I will see you soon.