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Drew Brooks on Muck Rack

Drew Brooks

  • Communications Manager, Carrier
Belmont
As seen in: Chicago Tribune, U.S. News and World Report, Military.com, Washington Times, The Charlotte Observer, WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC), Anchorage Daily News, Military Times, Government Technology, Stars and Stripes and
Covers:  north carolina national guard, nc military, fort bragg, army, air force, defense, military, veterans
Communications manager. Former @NGAUS1878 @fayobserver @goupstate @shelbystar. @UofSC alum

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Drew Brooks’s Biography

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Drew Brooks leads coverage of the military and Fort Bragg, North Carolina for the Fayetteville Observer.
He has reported on troops serving overseas four times, including three times in Afghanistan (April-May 2012, April-May 2014 and November-December 2014) and once in Iraq and Kuwait (November 2011).
Drew first began working for the Observer in 2008 and began covering the military in 2011. After six months covering higher education for the Spartanburg Herald-Journal is Spartanburg, South Caroli…

Drew Brooks’s Journalist Portfolio

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Limestone recruit Jesse Olsen knows about overcoming adversity

Limestone recruit Jesse Olsen knows about overcoming adversity

The 18-year-old from Altamonte Springs, Fla. was co-captain of his high school football team and a key member…

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Lower education level a risk for Spartanburg

Lower education level a risk for Spartanburg

Late last week, the annual "A Stronger Nation through Higher Education" report was released by the Lumina Fou…

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VCOM encouraging military veterans to apply

VCOM encouraging military veterans to apply

Years of Army training had prepared him for the worst of war, but there was nothing he could do to save a fri…

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$1.6M settlement proposed in Cleveland Park train derailment

$1.6M settlement proposed in Cleveland Park train derailment

Late last month, lawyers representing both sides of a dispute over the Cleveland Park miniature train derailm…

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Wounded warrior Army Spc. Willie Stewart hailed as a hero

Wounded warrior Army Spc. Willie Stewart hailed as a hero

Wounded warrior Army Spc. Willie Stewart hailed as a hero Army Spc. Willie Stewart wants a cigarette, but he …

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Battle for Ghazni: Fort Bragg soldiers work against time to bring restive province under control

Battle for Ghazni: Fort Bragg soldiers work against time to bring restive province under control

Battle for Ghazni: Fort Bragg soldiers work against time to bring restive province under control ADINI, Afgha…

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Articles

Military town | CityView

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By Drew Brooks
| CityView Magazine Verified
New name, same mission Posted Monday, June 19, 2023 11:41 am By Drew Brooks After more than a century of service that saw the installation grow into an integral part of the nation’s defense and its largest installation by population, Fort Bragg has officially been renamed Fort Liberty.
Open in Who Shared Issue with article?

Another Surge

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By Drew Brooks
| National Guard Verified
Another Surge 2022-02-19 00:34:08 ©National Guard Association of the United States. View All Articles. Another Surge /articles/another-surge Menu Page View Contents View Advertisers Website Issue List February 2022 Dec. 2021/Jan.
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ACFT 3.0

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By Drew Brooks
| National Guard Verified
ACFT 3.0 Drew Brooks 2021-12-22 13:37:11 After years of discussion, evolutions and some angst, the new test will soon count THE ARMY has been working on its new physical fitness test for more than a decade. But while the Army Combat Fitness Test has officially been the force’s test of record since October 2019, no soldier has taken it “for the record.” That is set to change in the coming year, with senior Army leaders aiming for full implementation as early as March 2022.
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See all 1,595 licensed articles (1,599 Total)

Interview

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What was your first job as a journalist?

My first job as a journalist came while I was in college at the University of South Carolina, helping cover the state legislature for the AP.

How is social media changing news?

Twitter, specifically, is allowing a direct link between readers and journalists. It also allows the reader to see the writer's personality.

What's your favorite social network?

Twitter. It's invaluable as a way to find story ideas and engage readers and sources alike.

Awards

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Society of Professional Journalists Award

2013 - 2nd Place in Nondeadline Reporting for Small Dailies - Green Eyeshade Awards
View Award

N.C. Press Association Award

2012 - General News Reporting - Dailies Circulation 35,000 and higher

1st Place for my series on the Battle for Ghazni, Afghanistan

Pat Reese Award for Hustle, Dedication and Excellence in Journalism

2012

The Fayetteville Observer presented me with this award in December 2012.

Military Reporters and Editors Awards

2012 - Overseas coverage, small market

Drew Brooks’ range of stories from domestic military bases to embeds with units overseas displayed an interest and concern for all aspects of the American military story. Concern about bombings, ambushes and hijacking infused the last days of the troops and Brooks expertly captured their fears and hopes. Even more, Brooks detailed the important issues facing troops returning from overseas and current veterans, including those who face unemployment and homelessness.

View Award

Ashton W. Lilly Spirit Award

2011

I received this award from the Fayetteville Observer in December 2011, following an embed with U.S. troops in Iraq.

Pat Reese Award for Hustle, Dedication and Excellence in Journalism

2011

The Fayetteville Observer presented me with this award in Dec. 2011.

Excellence in Journalism award from M.A.D.D. Sandhills

2011

The local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving honored me in March 2011 for my series on the handling of drunken driving cases in local courts.

N.C. Press Association Award

2010 - Sports News Reporting - Dailies circulations 35,000 and higher

I shared 1st place with three other Fayetteville Observer staffers for coverage of a grade controversy affecting a local high school football team.

N.C. Press Association Award

2010 - News Enterprise Reporting - Dailies circulation 35,000 and higher

I came in 3rd place for a series on how Cumberland County courts dealt with drunken driving.

Pat Reese Award for Hustle, Dedication and Excellence in Journalism

2009

The Fayetteville Observer presented me with this award in September 2009.

N.C. Press Association Award

2008 - News Enterprise and Investigative Reporting - Dailies circulation 15,000 or lower

I came in 3rd Place for a series on foreclosures in Cleveland County written for the Shelby (N.C.) Star.

Associate of the Year

2007

The Shelby (N.C.) Star named me its Associate of the Year, despite my starting work for the newspaper in July. I worked for the Star from July 2007 until April 2008, covering politics, courts, government and business.