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THE SCOUT - 10/9/2002

INTELLIGENCE OFFICER ADDS MOVIE CREDIT
TO LIST OF ACHIEVEMENTS
By Sgt. Jessica Inigo, Fort Huachuca Scout

FORT HUACHUCA, Arizona - There's a star in our midst - and he's a regular renaissance man.

He's part struggling actor, part movie star, part patriotic citizen, and part warrior - and he has ruthless aggression toward it all.

Currently attending the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course, the seemingly average Army lieutenant, 1st Lt. Monroe Mann, is anything but ordinary.

Mann recently debuted in the box office hit movie, Swim Fan, as Jake Donnelly. He played the ex-boyfriend of star, Erika Christensen. Though he was only on the big screen three separate times in the movie, it got him his first movie credit.
But the actor doesn't let his dreams of stardom come between him and his country.

Mann has been in the Army since 1999 as an all-source intelligence analyst for the New York National Guard and said he has never been more proud of his decision to serve his country.

Mann said he knew his calling was for the Army when he saw the movie, Saving Private Ryan. "I just knew something was missing," he said.

"I wanted to serve my country without sacrificing my acting ambitions. The National Guard popped up, and though it may have deterred my acting career by missing auditions and movie roles, overall it was the best decision I've made in my life," Mann said. His father was also an intelligence analyst, during World War II.

Mann said his most poignant moment in the military came when he was activated Sept. 11, 2001, to Ground Zero.
"The two years of training I received through the Army was well worth the privilege and honor I felt assisting during this crisis. That one experience alone made it all worth it," Mann said, who initially helped to pull debris and rubble in the search efforts.

"One fireman was found alive. It was a tremendous moment. It was as if we scored a touch down. Everyone was cheering and tears came to my eye. I couldn't believe someone was actually found in that heap. It was amazing."

Soon thereafter Mann was transferred to a family support center. He assisted family members who were looking for their missing relatives.

"I had to console these people and tell them it would be OK. I had to answer their questions. It was really hard because I pretty much knew the facts, but they wanted to believe so much that they would find their loved ones. It was amazing to see how much hope these people had. I didn't want to be the one who destroyed their hope," Mann said.
Now, as much as he doesn't want to be deployed, he said he would take the orders in stride. "I'd just pick up where I left off," Mann said. "I'm thrilled to be in the Army, especially right now."

Prior to joining the Army, Mann took advantage of an opportunity to study abroad and received a Bachelor of Arts in International Economics and French from Franklin University in Lugano, Switzerland.

Mann, originally from Maine, not only has stars in his eyes, but he is also a producer, writer, and founder and president of a business school for actors, called Unstoppable Artists. He also said he will win an Oscar within the next three years. This Oscar won't come easy, but Mann said he knows the secret to success.

"It all goes back to confidence. For some weird reason, confidence is so rare. When you see the real thing exhibited by someone, people treat them weirdly. They confuse confidence for arrogance or cockiness," Mann said.

"Confidence is nothing more than hard work and determination. That may sound trite, but everyone knows when you really want something, you go get it. Acting's the same way. It's not luck. You have to have the psyche of a star. You have to know where you're going before you get there. I know I'm going to win the Oscar."

He said the Army's can do attitude has rolled over into his attitude toward acting. "There are no excuses. Never give up and have the sprit and heart to succeed," he said.

Currently Mann is producing and writing a film about his favorite sport, wakeboarding. Once he graduates the MIOBC course Mann is going on vacation to Florida to scout out the perfect location. All he needs is a quick $3.5 million and he'll be ready to make the flick. He is accepting donations.

Mann said attending the MIOBC course is a blessing for his military career and his National Guard unit. "I was previously training for a War Fighter mission at my unit. I felt lost during the six to seven months I worked on it because it seemed as if there was no time for anyone to teach me how to do my job properly. Now having been in MIOBC I'll be ready to go back to my unit, dive right in, and take charge if necessary. I've been taught well. Kudos to Capt. Michael Pickett and Staff Sgt. David Rivera," Mann said.

"He takes on tasks and effectively completes them all. When he first got here he was overwhelmed by too many tasks, but he has learned to manage them better and complete them at the same time. He is talented and is an aggressive thinker," Rivera said, who is an intelligence analyst instructor for the MIOBC course. "I'm positive he's going to make it. He's the type of person that when he sets his mind to doing something he gets it done. No matter what. He just keeps going and going and never stops until he reaches it. That's what makes him a great officer. He is a credit to his unit.

For more information on Mann look on the Web at monroemann.com, or unstoppableartists.com. Also, for more information on the movie he is producing and writing check out locodawn.com.