What’s an APAM?

All roads leading to San Diego on this rain-drenched Friday afternoon were showing anywhere from three to three and a half hours of drive time. I opted for the longer, inland route down the 15, and with a short stop at Starbucks and dinner along the way, our 1:45pm departure got us to our destination by 8:15. We dropped off our bags and headed to the bar for a no host reception, the opening salvo of this year’s ESGR APAM. You’re wondering, what’s an APAM? Who’s ESGR?

ESGR, a Department of Defense office, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment.

The APAM is our Annual Planning and Awards Meeting. I reached out to Patrick Morrissey in Public Affairs for last minute direction. Do I bring my entire kit? Two cameras, multiple lenses, lights, stands? Document the entire event in full production mode? Or just one camera and lens for a more casual approach? Patrick’s response, “go casual and have a great time.”

So that’s what I did. Going casual is my natural way. Having conversations with volunteers I know from past events, photographing the live guitarist, approaching a tattooed woman at the bar, who appreciated my asking rather than just taking. That’s how the magic happens. You don’t even have to know what an APAM is.