What is your favorite quote and what does it mean to you?
John: "WHEN THE BATTLE DRAWS NEAR, DARKNESS STALKS THE HERO AND THE COWARD ALIKE...WHEN IT IS DONE, DARKNESS HAUNTS THE HERO FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE AND TAUNTS THE COWARD FOR WHAT HE HAS NOT"
Doing the right thing, no matter what the personal costs are...
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Name a couple of organizations that you belong to
John: DOD/U.S. Department of Defense Contractors and Aegaeon's Security Consultants Association.
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What is your favorite book and why?
John: NON ZERO, The Logic of Humane Destiny, by Robert Wright. Though I do not agree with all, nor like all aspects of Globalization; it is something that is happening and will happen.
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Name one person that has singlehandedly influenced you most
John: A Captain in the U.S. Army in 1985 in Alaska when the going got tough...John, never give up the faith!
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Name one event that has singlehandedly influenced you most
John: Global Instability.
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If there was one person, alive or dead, that you could spend a day with, who would it be? Why?
John: HENRY HUDSON of the New York Hudson River/Bay Fame. Because he was an Ancestral Uncle whom I would like to think that our drives are/were similar...A never ending push for New Horizons.
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What is the greatest risk you've taken that resulted in failure?
John: Marriage.
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What was your most difficult decision in the last year and what made it so difficult?
John: Deciding to live with my Disabilities. Though I was Injured Severely in Iraq during Sanctioned Missions Behind Enemy Lines and WIA/Wounded in Action 3 Times, I as always thought I could become 200% again...I have had to face the fact that 70% is a Success and concentrate not so much on the Physical Pleasures of Life, but the Mental.
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If you had the opportunity to start your own company what would it be?
John: I have...it would be all about World Security, Associations, Writing, History, and Beauty: www.iraqssecretsoldiers.com www.aegaeongroup.com www.aegaeonassociation.com www.aegaeonpublishing.com www.aegaeongoddess.com
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What is your favorite color and what do you think it reflects in your personality?
John: I would say the Rainbow...being forced to see the world in a favorite color, or just one color...well you might as well be seeing in Black & White!
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What is your favorite hobby or past time?
John: The Study of History...To understand where the world is at and one as a person is at, you have to know where the world and yourself as an individual have been. It is most true that history tends to repeat itself, therefore there are very good object lessons to be learned from studying History. I devoted myself to that very subject when writing and publishing my first book: The Mapping of Georgia's Growth 1750-1900 in 1982.
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Do you have a 'good luck' charm? What is it and why is it so special to you?
John: Charm No...Good Luck, better said as Good Fortune in that I believe in God. I have the good fortune that he is within me, around me, and that he touches the entire World with his Warmth and Forgiveness.
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If you could see into the future or travel backward in time, which would you choose? Why?
John: Hmmm...I tend to laugh at this one because I have always thought that I was born too late or to early, and in saying that; I have always realized the Nature of Physics and have always tried to do my best here in reality.
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In high school, what was your favorite subject and why?
John: ART! It gave me freedom of expression in an unyielding world and opened my sould and mind to new ways of thinking and responding to my surroundings. I studied Art, Design, Mechanical Drafting, Interior Design, and Construction during High School and a total of 12 years prior to entering the Security Profession.
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Who or what do you aspire to and why?
John: I have always Aspired to help others who could not help themselves, whether it be providing Physical/Personal Security in Peace Time or in a Combat Zone, or giving Personal Aid during World Catastrophes such as Earthquakes and Hurricanes.
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Can you name one accomplishment in your life most people might not know about?
John: There is an Official John Hollis Day, 14 October, in Miami-Dade County and the City of Miami, that was given by the the city commission for Heroic Acts Resulting in Saving Lives.
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Who would you name as the most influential person of mankind up-to-date?
John: I would say one of the most: Albrecht Dürer, 1471 - 1528, an Artist that opened the Minds Eye to a Cold and Dark Europe many centuries ago.
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If you could be anything else, what would you be and why?
John: Just John Thank You!
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What was your very first job experience and how did it affect you?
John: Gardening for my Paraplegic Scout Master. It inspired me with Friendship, understanding the Nature of things, and to Help others who can't help themselves.
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Do you think that you are successful?
John: YES...SPECIAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS: (1) Designed, Developed, & Implemented Security Systems, Procedures, Training Manuals, Post Orders, Security, Investigations, & Weapons Training Programs, for Major Corporations, Security & Investigative Companies, & the U.S. Government. (2) 1-1-82 to Present Awarded 30+ times for Perfect and Outstanding Multiple Weapons Marksmanship, Received Multiple Medals, PPC, MIL, OTI, GBD, NRA, FDL, & DOD. (3) Developed Weapons, Hostage Extraction, & Room Clearing Courses for the U.S. Army SRT/Special Reaction Team. (4) Donated Teaching Time to Underprivileged Youth, 2 years, Donated Time & Medical Materials, S.A. Earthquake, Donated Time to 3 Hurricane Relief Efforts, & 9/11 Victims Trust Fund Contribution. (5) First Arrival 5 Major Fires-Awarded for Lifesaving, First Arrival Medical Trauma 112+, Commendation for the Saving of Lives, & First Response to Use of Deadly Force Assaults 6 & Commended for Lifesaving. (6) Provided Fire Cover for WIAs while Critically Wounded during IED Ambush MSR Tampa, near Mosul, Iraq. (7) Published Author of Books, Videos, Video Presentations, Manuals, Magazine & Newspaper Articles.
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Describe one of your long-term goals
John: To be the Best of the Best of Security Contractors, to always give 200%, learn my profession A to Z...no excuses! I have Secured that Goal by Never losing a Client, Principle or PAX in my 25 year long Career in both Civil and War Zone Environments.
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If you could give the world one piece of advice, what would it be?
John: Just laugh a little bit at yourself, be excepting of others differences, and in doing so: BE GOOD FRIENDS!
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Name two aspects of your career that you are most passionate about
John: 1. The Complexity. 2. No Room For Error.
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If you could see yourself ten years in the future, what would you be doing?
John: Continue Security Consulting...but from my desk, ha, ha...and Cheering on a New, Bright, Brave Younger Generation in All of the Security Fields, whether it be on the World's Battle Fields, in the Military, or the Private Sector.
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Describe your most significant on the job success in the last five years
John: I will let others say it for me:
WHAT IRAQ WAR VETS HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT PPO, PSD, & SET OFFICER JOHN HOLLIS
U.S. ARMY COLONEL UBELOHDE SAYS ABOUT HOLLIS:
“COOL CONFIDENCE UNDER FIRE. I COULDN’T IMAGINE A FINER PERFORMANCE BY SOMEONE IN SUCH A HIGH RISK ENVIRONMENT”.
RATBOY, VETERAN MARINE AND IRAQ OPERATOR SAYS:
“HOLLIS IS THE TOUGHEST AND HARDEST OPERATOR I HAVE EVER KNOWN…IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR SERVING WITH HIM IN IRAQ!”
EX-BRIT MIL IRAQ COUNTRY PSD/SET EXECUTIVE, FRAZER SAYS:
“JOHN IS A BULLET MAGNET; TOO HIGH SPEED-LOW DRAG FOR BAGHDAD…SO WE SENT HIM TO MOSUL, IRAQ.”
IRAQ SECURITY OPERATIONS MANAGER ABBO SAYS:
“OF OPERATORS IN IRAQ, HOLLIS IS IN THE TOP 10% AND HAS RAN COUNTLESS HUNDREDS OF MISSIONS IN THE RED COMBAT ZONES BEHIND ENEMY LINES IN IRAQ AND HAS NEVER LOST A CLIENT!”
SHINDI, IRAQ PSD/SET COUNTRY MANAGER SAYS:
“JOHN HAS WASTED NO TIME IN SHOWING PSD/SET TEAM OPERATIONS, IRAQ, AND REALITY AS IT REALLY IS!”
TL OF EAGLE 11 GRS AND FORMER SPECIAL FORCES SAYS:
“I HAVE RUN MANY MISSIONS WITH HIM IN THE PAST IN IRAQ AND WE ARE RUNNING JOINT MISSIONS AGAIN…HE IS ONE OF THE BRAVEST MEN I HAVE EVER MET. UPON PARTING WAYS AGAIN; I ASK THAT GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS HIM.”
FRANK SCOPA, USACE, IRAQ LEAD REGIONAL ENGINEER SAYS:
“ON NUMEROUS ESCORTED TRAVELS IN THE RED ZONES, (COMBAT AREAS) OF IRAQ, JOHN HAS EXECUTED HIS DUTIES AS MY PERSONAL PROTECTION OFFICER IN A TRULY PROFESSIONAL MANNER UNDER EXTREMELY TRYING CIRCUMSTANCES.”
JOHN BARTEL, PROJECT OPERATIONS MANAGER, IRAQ:
“MR. HOLLIS WAS ASSIGNED TO ME TO PROVIDE PERSONAL PROTECTION IN THE COMBAT ZONES OF IRAQ DURING SOME EXTREMELY DANGEROUS EVENTS. JOHN WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND WHAT WAS EXPECTED TO ENSURE I WAS PROTECTED.”
M. J. GORRIE, PSD/SET PLTA, GRN, IRAQ SAYS:
“JOHN HAS DISPLAYED A HIGH DEGREE OF INTEGRITY AND RESPONSIBILITY DURING MISSIONS IN IRAQ’S COMBAT ZONES. HE IS A LEADER, NOT A FOLLOWER!”
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When did you first realize what you wanted to do for a career?
John: New Years Eve 1982.
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Do you love what you do? Why?
John: No one spends 25 years doing the same thing unless they Truly Love what they do! Of course I do! It´s not about the money, it's all about protecting others that cannot protect themselves.
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Despite your success, what do you still find difficult in your career?
John: Backing Off...Accepting the fact that as one grows older, though the Mind is as Sharp as a Razor; there are just some physical demands that one cannot make of their body anymore. So I would say making the complete switch from Mind and Body, to the Mind and the Experience Within.
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If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently?
John: No I would not! It's a nice thought, but playing with history would be a very dangerous thing; I think we would best be served by leaving things as they are. We can always learn by our errors and try to be better and better things while we are alive; and not wish for immortality which essentially it would be.
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What was the most important decision you have ever made in regards to your career?
John: Sticking with it and going the full distance.
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