By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Under the leadership and drive of Commander Don Mulcahy, new life and purpose was breathed into the decaying little building on Depot Street.

Many hands and many heartfelt donations transformed the desolate structure into a vibrant and revived American Legion Post.

Now, Brian Conroy looks to build upon that legacy as the new Lopeman-Potts Post 67 Commander.

“The previous Commander, Don Mulcahy, led us in building one of the most amazing Posts in our state. As the new Commander, my mission is to continue to build on that legacy and improve every step of the way,” Conroy wrote in his letter to Post 67 membership. “In combat, the outgoing unit being relieved must train the incoming unit on the lessons learned and the way forward. This is referred to as the ‘Right Seat Left Seat Ride.’ I stand before you ready to lead and build the best Post in the country.” 

The Newsrecently reached out to Commander Conroy for the following One on One interview:

Q. How is a Commander selected? As Commander, what are your responsibilities? Commanders are selected by general elections cast by all members of the Post. In February, I ran for Commander and was selected by our members. During our Officer Appointing Ceremony held March 2 at the old Town Hall, State and District officers came to appoint, support and congratulate our leadership. I am humbled and honored to be the Commander of American Legion Post 67. I recognize that members have had senior leadership come before them with false promises, only to climb the ladder for self-fulfillment. I stand before them promising to do better. I give them my word to always put veterans first, know myself and seek self-improvement, be technically and tactically proficient, make sound and timely decisions, set an example, know my people and look out for their welfare, keep my people informed, seek responsibility and take responsibility for my actions, ensure assigned tasks are understood supervised and accomplished, train my people as a team, and employ my team in accordance with its capabilities. Most of all, I want to inform everyone I will change the game as we know it. 

Q. What skills or characteristics do you feel you bring to the position that will benefit Post 67? As a Non-Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Military during my 17 years of service leading soldiers from the front including eight combat deployments, I have the philosophy of don’t ask your subordinates to do anything you wouldn’t do yourself, lead from the front with your sleeves rolled up, and always seek self-improvement to include holding yourself accountable for all actions good or bad. I lead.

Q. During your tenure, what will be your main goals/focus?  I will seek to change the culture of our organization from every level of the American Legion leadership and our community partners. I will not focus on negativity, gossip or rumors as we simply don’t have time for it. I will stand in the face of the impossible and demand a successful outcome just as I’ve done during my service to this great nation. I left this community in 2002 for college and a career in the U.S. Military and since my return in February 2019, I have committed to serving my community in several ways. I am an Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and Platoon Sergeant for the 3-304th Infantry Regiment in Saco. The New Hampshire State Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Coordinator and now the Commander of Post 67. I cannot do these things alone nor have I. I have utilized the help of each and every person in this Post and community, and I will rely heavily on them during my commandership. I am not here to make friends, nor am I here for political gains, a fancy hat or medals. Trust me, I have enough of those. I am a (PUFL) Paid Up For Life regardless of the outcome. I am here to make the tough calls and commit my time to oversee the successful improvement of a lifelong team known as the American Legion Post 67 of Bridgton, Maine.

Q. How/when did you get involved with Post 67? What has impressed you most about the local Post? I first joined the American Legion via a phone call from a satellite phone in 2018 during a combat deployment to Iraq and Syria supporting (OIR) Operation Inherent Resolve. The members and what they bring to the table have surprised me most to include the love and support from the community. We have not only rebuilt our Post building over the last three years, but we’ve created that culture and comradery that we all have missed and seek out after our service in the military.

Q. Anything you take away from past leadership as you take over the role of commander? I think the previous Commander is a wonderful man and did amazing things to build this Post. One thing I learned from him is you can’t do it all yourself as you’re only one person. You must always utilize the assets around you which are your biggest investment, your members. Mainly what skills and experience your leadership and membership bring to the table. Charge them with putting in as much of themselves as they’re comfortable with and continue to challenge them to be invested in the betterment and outcome of the Post. I am only as good as those I surround myself with. I have always prided myself with having some of the most amazing people in the world around me driving me to be a better father, husband, leader, soldier and community member. Becoming the Commander of Post 67 has only taken that goal to the next level as our members have some of the richest backgrounds known and I am so excited to learn from them and work alongside of them.

Q. Now that the Post’s physical structure has been seriously upgraded, how does one look to build its membership and services? During my short time with the American Legion, I have noticed that the only drive is to improve the structure and grow membership to get the attention of state and district leadership. During my Commandership, I will strive to create a family, involve the families of members, include the community in everything we do, and to always put the veterans first, not just impressing senior leadership. I have found that being a part of something greater than yourself is what people are eager to do. I will ensure we give them that opportunity and make them feel welcomed at all times.

Q. Let’s take a few steps back, and tell me how you decided to make the military a career? I graduated from Lake Region High School and Lake Region Vocational Center June of 2002 and set out for college at The California Culinary Academy. As many college students experience, I found myself broke and lacked the detailed plan needed for my next step in life. I stopped into a recruiter’s office in May of 2004 and six days later I shipped out Navy Boot Camp in Great Lakes, Ill. The military built me into the man I am today. I owe everything to the amazing men and women who serve this great nation each and every day, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We all signed a blank check putting our lives on the line in order to ensure the safety and success of this country. We miss holidays, family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, funerals and time with loved ones to put the love of our country to the forefront. It’s an honor wearing this uniform each and every day. I wouldn’t trade it for the world on a silver platter. 

Q. What led you to becoming a chemical biological radiological nuclear and explosives specialist? Sounds dangerous. What does one do in this role? I imagine you must have been placed in some very difficult spots, any general examples you can share? I started my military service in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Ordinanceman in May of 2004 serving onboard the USS George Washington (CVN-73) on Norfolk Naval Station in Norfolk, Va., eventually finding a home with Team/Group shortly after in Little Creek, Va. until January 2011 when I transferred into the U.S. Army. I had to go back through Basic Training yet again as the U.S. Army doesn’t recognize U.S. Navy Boot Camp. When picking my new (MOS) Military Occupational Specialty, I already had an extensive background in Guns, Bombs, Torpedoes, Rockets and Missiles so taking that to the next level as a CBRNE Specialist seemed like a great idea and eventually became one of the best career choices I would make. CBRN Specialists protect the country from the threat of weapons of mass destruction. The weapons they train to detect, and protect against, include any weapons of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear type. The 74D CBRN Specialist use planning and highly sophisticated equipment, and coordinating defense systems. They work in support of joint and combined arms operations. CBRN specialists serve on Biological Integrated Detection Teams, STRYKER NBC Reconnaissance Platoons, Technical Escort Battalions, Special Forces and Ranger Units. They are trained to manage, train, and maintain protective gear of fellow Army soldiers. This equipment is used in the event of a CBRN threat on the battlefield. Systems that a CBRN specialist may use include: CBRN reconnaissance systems, Biological agent detection systems (BIDS), Obscurant systems that hide movements or defeat enemy targeting, CBRN decontamination systems and Oother CBRN hazard detection and warning systems.

Q. What lead you to being a sexual assault victim advocate/coordinator? What are the challenges you face in this role? Prior to departure for my most recent combat deployment with the 275th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion from June 2017 to June 2018, the Battalion Commander, Executive Officer and Command Sergeant Major asked me to serve as the Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Program Unit Victim Advocate. During our pre-mobilization activities, I attended the 80Hr SHARP Foundations Course and applied for my Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program. I serve as a Unit Victim Advocate for the Army Reserves for the 3-304th Infantry Regiment of Saco, and currently serve as the Joint Force Headquarters Victim Advocate Coordinator in Concord, N.H. for both Army and Air National Guard as a Title 5 Federal Civilian Employee. 

The JFHQ VAC serves as the designated specialist of victim support services who coordinates and oversees local implementation and execution of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Programs. Ensures overall local management of sexual assault awareness, prevention, training, and victim advocacy (VA). Provides collateral duty victim advocate support by providing, along with the JFHQ SARC, advice, guidance or victim services question clarification. Incumbent is required to maintain a network of victim advocacy services contacts to ensure 24/7 availability. Provides comprehensive advocacy services to individuals exhibiting a wide range of issues related to being a victim or survivor of sexual assault. Assist victims in developing safety plans, conduct a risk assessment, and provide emotional support, crisis intervention, prevention awareness and education to victims. Assesses the need for immediate victim response and develops a plan for assistance.

Q. At this point, any thoughts of what you will do career wise, stay military or pursue other interests? I came into the military as an E-1 in May of 2004 and by the time I retire I will be an E-9/CSM Command Sergeant Major hopefully in the next five to eight years. As far as my Federal Civilian GS General Schedule career which is similar to the military being it goes from GS-01 to GS-15, I entered in the Nuclear Division of Radiological Health Code 105.5 at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. as a GS-06 in November of 2016 and have the goal of a High-3 as GS-15 retiring on/about 2044. In regards to the American Legion, I started as the Assistant Adjutant in September of 2020 and just started my Post 67 Commandership on March 2 and hope to excel to the District level, Department level and possibly the National level depending on what opportunities present themselves. 

Q. What do you enjoy in your free time? Spending time with my family, outdoor recreation and serving my community.

Originally from?Bridgton, (Church Street) and Pleasant Hill, Calif. (East Bay Area). My Dad is the Bay Area in California and my Mom is from North Bridgton, so I split my time growing up between both areas. As an Army Brat, we lived all over the place growing up so it allowed me to become diverse in many backgrounds and meet people all over the country.

Where do you reside?Off of Route 114 in Naples, Maine. 

How old are you?Turned 37 on Feb. 11.

Family?My Wife AmiLee Conroy is my high school sweetheart and hero taking lead on raising our six children — Deagan (14), Keegan (12), Devlin (12), Dierks (6), Asher (4) and Rhett (2). I have two older brothers, Bradley R. Conroy (37) of Novato, Calif. and Peter A. Conroy IV (41) of Saco; father Peter A. Conroy III of Woodacre, Calif.; and mother Constance J. Shahan of Springvale.