https://mbcouch.com/portraiture daily 0.75 2016-04-07 https://mbcouch.com/portraiture-1 daily 0.75 2016-04-07 https://mbcouch.com/portraiture-2 daily 0.75 2017-10-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369346703-WNVK1QKM3TYWAOMV82VD/20170726_couch_82drop-454.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers Talbert, Lang and Capik of the 82nd Airborne Division write their name, rank, and unit on name cards before an upcoming training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369346703-WNVK1QKM3TYWAOMV82VD/20170726_couch_82drop-454.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers Talbert, Lang and Capik of the 82nd Airborne Division write their name, rank, and unit on name cards before an upcoming training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369328508-3HQ8UEMC4EKNURWMSGEE/20170525_couch_82ndAA_-1096.jpg Paratroopers With an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter passing above, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division march across Sicily Drop Zone as part of the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369352906-15M03WMHRFQ08SIC1KJ7/20170726_couch_82drop2-432.jpg Paratroopers A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division is assisted with his parachute by another paratrooper before a combat training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369353336-5YR8SYFHJYI75R34F40P/20170726_couch_82drop2-290.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division wait for takeoff for a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509301610220-YFBTUEX2OO13THXE21BW/20170726_couch_82drop2-584.jpg Paratroopers Staff Sergeant Wesley Hatfield waits for the transport plane he is on to be fixed during a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369361378-K3D3VXPV68J6VOPFGUIE/20170726_couch_82drop2-769.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division walk towards the jump door during a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369333801-2E8BDOJSEDD2L9XJC3DS/20170525_couch_82ndAA_2-732.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division simulate an assault of a compound under cover of smoke as part of the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369340829-037BHRJ7BR1N05X0F5F8/20170525_couch_82ndAA_2-827.jpg Paratroopers Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division demonstrate a breaching charge on a walled compound as part the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://mbcouch.com/portraits daily 0.75 2018-05-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1519075723883-KR7887KFZZVNESVNY8ZJ/20171201_couch_rotc-105.jpg Portraits Madi Powers sits near the grave of her brother, Senior Airman Bryce Powers at Arlington National Cemetery. SRA Powers died in 2013 as the result of a car crash during his deployment in Japan. The dog is a service dog named after her brother who is being trained by her to support veterans with PTSD. Taken on November 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1519075723883-KR7887KFZZVNESVNY8ZJ/20171201_couch_rotc-105.jpg Portraits Madi Powers sits near the grave of her brother, Senior Airman Bryce Powers at Arlington National Cemetery. SRA Powers died in 2013 as the result of a car crash during his deployment in Japan. The dog is a service dog named after her brother who is being trained by her to support veterans with PTSD. Taken on November 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1508354594463-K01ZUUBOKZY0W1XOB60P/20171006_couch_ftbraggportraits-13.jpg Portraits Mary Ellen Shugart of the Army Nurse Corps, holds a picture of herself from her time as a nurse in Vietnam. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506707713292-8Q7THKIQSNYN99V11YZM/20170927_couch_mulilight-70.jpg Portraits Gabe Irwin, an avid rock climber and student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, climbs in "the Cave" at UNC's climbing center on September 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369542752-NN56HTRKCDB5CHWQIRGL/20170318_couch_grandparents-130.jpg Portraits Bill Wilder meticulously focuses on his painting. Bill, 76, picked up painting as a hobby after retiring. "The smart thing to do would have been to pick a smaller canvas for this painting. I feel like my arms are about to fall off after painting this darn marsh." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369537101-7P3MEXTQZS2RF9B8D06T/20170830_couch_window-22.jpg Portraits Cole Fanning-Haas, from Los Angeles, California, sits in his fraternity house at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill while smoking an electronic cigarette. “It’s not the obvious things that make it hard to adjust to living in the South,” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369542283-P3IMWRUIYGIYX8K78FS8/20170920_couch_dragshutter-152.jpg Portraits UNC student and boxer Nicole Esch poses for a portrait at the UNC School of Journalism. "Float like a walrus, sting like a fluffy bunny. I'm really bad at (boxing)." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370031614-7ROF8FU4RB3UIYHDXA2J/20170913_couch_dimmingsun-73.jpg Portraits https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506371566098-PTOTIDYKMN5L3CLZWMA2/20170920_couch_dragshutter-37.jpg Portraits https://mbcouch.com/drake daily 0.75 2017-09-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370716818-158A6OLBDA71ALNCNEY3/01_20170425_couch_drake_-57.jpg Drake Drake Adam Fontenot, 26, is a six-year veteran of the Marine Corps and student at North Carolina State University. After being honorably discharged, Fontenot moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and bought a dog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370716818-158A6OLBDA71ALNCNEY3/01_20170425_couch_drake_-57.jpg Drake Drake Adam Fontenot, 26, is a six-year veteran of the Marine Corps and student at North Carolina State University. After being honorably discharged, Fontenot moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and bought a dog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370724189-APHHL1U1UHQSKYHT36GU/02_20170425_couch_drake-288.jpg Drake In the Marines, Fontenot was an infantry squad leader, in charge of five Marines. Now, Fontenot works in the university’s Veteran’s Affairs office in addition to majoring in Nutritional Sciences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370746919-ABESNS5EOV2J1IGM8DQE/03_20170426_couch_drake-46.jpg Drake In addition to his single housemate, another Marine veteran, Fontenot lives with his Australian Shepherd, Caliber. “He’s been great for me. I can come home and know I’m loved. I just want him to be the silliest, goofiest dog out there. And he is that. And he loves everyone. I’m not trying to sound like I’m whining, But civilian life is hard. It's so lonely sometimes. I'm single and I feel like I can barely talk to the people at my school because I'm so much older than them." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370775273-KKRMPXIHHB2E6PU7HRLH/04_20170425_couch_drake-359.jpg Drake Fontenot reads up on his notes before the start of his class. The majority of the rest of the students in the class are ROTC cadets (the students in red shirts), who will eventually be military officers. “I’m 26 and I’m going to school with people who are eight years younger than me. I see that generation gap everyday. The ROTCs, ‘The Future Defenders of America’ all think their shit don’t stink.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370786795-SYX79SI9GQOT9W2O473Q/05_20170424_couch_drake-195.jpg Drake While watching TV, Fontenot practices aiming his pistol, which he keeps beside his bed. Fontenot keeps another in his car at all times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370827536-ZPRVPSRGO95BFMMZRLKV/06_20170424_couch_drake-9.jpg Drake Fontenot holds his dog, Caliber, as he watches ESPN in the morning. “I tell people I’m just a single dad trying to make it with my son,” laughs Fontenot. “Little do they know my son is my dog.” On his shoulder, Fontenot had his interpretation of a Guardian Angel tattooed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370834320-QWEFRUH9UFQVGRWWO5QS/07_20170425_couch_drake-259.jpg Drake In order to make it to his 8:30 a.m. class, Fontenot has to leave his house an hour before. Hanging from his car’s mirror are tokens from his time in the Marines, such as his unit’s cord, the French Fourragere, given to the 5th and 6th Marines Regiments after their actions in World War One. On his dashboard are two pictures of his family members, one of his newborn niece, the other his cousin, who was killed in a bar fight last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370845236-HLGKTQH7Y0RIQ2CJK8Q8/08_20170424_couch_drake-77.jpg Drake Fontenot and Caliber take a break at a dog park. “I’ve been single for six years, man,” said Fontenot. “This whole college thing isn't what I thought it was going to be like. But I got Caliber. And I’m sure I’ll make it one day.” https://mbcouch.com/singles daily 1.0 2018-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1524004554458-RYSCD8EHM11VKI13SJ9A/Couch_Matt_Feature_03.jpg Singles Another part of the combat swim test is showing the ability to swim while fully clothed, including shoes, for an extended period of time. The idea behind the swim test is to prepare cadets with the possibility of water-involved situations they may face during their military career. December 7, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1524004554458-RYSCD8EHM11VKI13SJ9A/Couch_Matt_Feature_03.jpg Singles Another part of the combat swim test is showing the ability to swim while fully clothed, including shoes, for an extended period of time. The idea behind the swim test is to prepare cadets with the possibility of water-involved situations they may face during their military career. December 7, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1519663643467-P4K3W8IOBUV8MMIOIXQD/20180221_couch_silentsam-antifa-272.jpg Singles Students gather and hold hands in a circle around the Silent Sam monument at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. A large demonstration formed around the statue to protest the statue’s position on the university’s campus on February 21, 2018. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506372426090-NVS7JOWXQQQVVHKBKBFW/20170822_couch_silentsam-281.jpg Singles From left to right, Cosima Hernandez, Suad Jabr, Emily Yue and Mitch Xia carry a Real Silent Sam Coalition banner as they marched in protest against the statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Protestors for and against the statue’s removal attended rallies near the monument on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506381232843-6M6B1V1NLF1BTM4DSQS8/20170403_couch_uncnatchamp2-104.jpg Singles A North Carolina fan sits above the crowd as thousands of Carolina fans storm Franklin Street to celebrate the North Carolina Tar Heel's victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the NCAA Championship on April 3, 2017. The Tar Heels won 71 to 65. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506618885213-ROKEKNEWD1W1IOMDZLNA/14_20170321_couch_greenhopelax-113.jpg Singles Players Jack Larkin, Jack Stiglitz, Isaias Delgado, and Colin Reyer join the huddle before Green Hope's sixth game, at Middle Creek High School. Green Hope would go on to lose the game 19 to 5. March 21, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509479054092-KKFD5L9KF9695IE2XUYU/20170416_couch_caryzip-613.jpg Singles A side effect of Cary's expansion is development of farm land. Suburban developments have popped up on traditional farm land. April 16, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506371012575-3A9CW2BC27Y9ZXIOQ8MJ/20170416_couch_caryzip-613.jpg Singles A side effect of Cary's expansion is development of farm land. Suburban developments have popped up on traditional farm land. April 16, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509478374660-QY7AQXLZNUJ792A7VE03/20171028_couch_uncmiami_5d-418.jpg Singles Miami University’s football helmets are put into travel cases after the away game against the University of North Carolina on October 28, 2017 at Kenan Memorial Stadium. The Miami Hurricanes beat the UNC Tar Heels 24 to 19. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506372429188-IWBTZTU0GLMEXSCQBIKE/20170822_couch_silentsam-219.jpg Singles A lone supporter of the Silent Sam monument debates with multiple protestors over whether the statue should be removed. Protestors for and against the statue’s removal attended rallies near the monument on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509478351646-TH5ABKYAN80EZY27QSD3/20171028_couch_uncmiami_1dx-1195.jpg Singles UNC’s Beau Corrales, right, grabs a pass in front of Miami’s Michael Jackson during Saturday’s game at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC on October 28, 2017. The Hurricanes beat the Tar Heels 24 to 19. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506381221039-7NYN0YGB6SX0J1I3MHCU/20170403_couch_uncnatchamp2-328.jpg Singles Thousands of Carolina fans storm Franklin Street after the North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the Gonzaga Bulldogs 71 to 65 on April 3, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506618885177-P5M7N3KNCJWEBOY3ME7E/11_20170228_couch_greenhopelax-403.jpg Singles A Green Hope player takes a drink during a break in the season opener against Holly Springs High School. Green Hope would go on to win the game 9 to 6. February 28, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1525059951670-BCAK1BSV0VT73XKB0BP1/20171027_couch_uncnotredame-100.jpg Singles UNC's Maurici Pineda vaults a Notre Dame defender during a match on October 27, 2017. UNC would win the match 3 to 0. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506371033279-UBBGUNKRCTG34UVFQ9WB/06_20170206_couch_farmfamily_-134.jpg Singles On his way to the farm yard, goatfarmer Ted Domville stops to check on the feed in one of the storage rooms. When Ted and his wife, Sandra, bought the farm, they found it in less-than-adequate conditions. “The goats had nothing to eat. They were basically eating grass. Sandra and I decided that we had to take care of these goats, out of our pocket.” February 6, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506371026941-GJSGE0F3C2WORLJH2XXN/201702058_couch_farmfamily-246.jpg Singles Sandra Domville shares a tender moment with one of the goats on her farm. Febuary 8, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509478410352-5HRNW8GOIG2GM9JBX3ZN/20171028_couch_uncmiami_1dx-2574.jpg Singles UNC fans react to a pass interference call during Saturday’s game at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, NC on October 28, 2017. The Hurricanes beat the Tar Heels 24 to 19. https://mbcouch.com/fashion daily 0.75 2017-09-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375761491-DW2ADC6PBICDKB2NYIJX/20170920_couch_dragshutter-37.jpg Fashion From left to right, Cosima Hernandez, Suad Jabr, Emily Yue and Mitch Xia carry a Real Silent Sam Coalition banner as they marched in protest against the statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Protestors for and against the statue’s removal attended rallies near the monument on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375761491-DW2ADC6PBICDKB2NYIJX/20170920_couch_dragshutter-37.jpg Fashion From left to right, Cosima Hernandez, Suad Jabr, Emily Yue and Mitch Xia carry a Real Silent Sam Coalition banner as they marched in protest against the statue at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Protestors for and against the statue’s removal attended rallies near the monument on Tuesday, August 22, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375761490-7V9275EHE3P91TWIJW3P/20170920_couch_dragshutter-115.jpg Fashion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375767587-EZ0GY42AAI1F2JARM6OQ/20170920_couch_dragshutter-145.jpg Fashion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375768153-UIBERSIWYSN5B5WZDXLL/20170920_couch_dragshutter-152.jpg Fashion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375771818-02CSQVUVV3DI8FIVAKZ6/20170920_couch_dragshutter-155.jpg Fashion https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506375771226-1YV74VMW1DW7L3F1LLO3/20170920_couch_dragshutter-313.jpg Fashion https://mbcouch.com/the-cat-dude daily 0.75 2017-12-16 https://mbcouch.com/contact daily 0.75 2018-07-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506448579606-AOYNFSBZ5OD4L3SYMTZJ/couch-1-2.jpg About Matt https://mbcouch.com/pageparatroopers daily 0.75 2017-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369346703-WNVK1QKM3TYWAOMV82VD/20170726_couch_82drop-454.jpg Matt Couch Photography Paratroopers Talbert, Lang and Capik of the 82nd Airborne Division write their name, rank, and unit on name cards before an upcoming training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369328508-3HQ8UEMC4EKNURWMSGEE/20170525_couch_82ndAA_-1096.jpg Matt Couch Photography With an Army AH-64 Apache helicopter passing above, Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division march across Sicily Drop Zone as part of the Airborne Review at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369352906-15M03WMHRFQ08SIC1KJ7/20170726_couch_82drop2-432.jpg Matt Couch Photography A paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division is assisted with his parachute by another paratrooper before a combat training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369353336-5YR8SYFHJYI75R34F40P/20170726_couch_82drop2-290.jpg Matt Couch Photography Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division wait for takeoff for a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1509301610220-YFBTUEX2OO13THXE21BW/20170726_couch_82drop2-584.jpg Matt Couch Photography Staff Sergeant Wesley Hatfield waits for the transport plane he is on to be fixed during a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369361378-K3D3VXPV68J6VOPFGUIE/20170726_couch_82drop2-769.jpg Matt Couch Photography Paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division walk towards the jump door during a training jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. on July 26, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369333801-2E8BDOJSEDD2L9XJC3DS/20170525_couch_82ndAA_2-732.jpg Matt Couch Photography Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division simulate an assault of a compound under cover of smoke as part of the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506369340829-037BHRJ7BR1N05X0F5F8/20170525_couch_82ndAA_2-827.jpg Matt Couch Photography Paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division demonstrate a breaching charge on a walled compound as part the Airborne Review at Sicily Drop Zone at Fort Bragg, N.C., on Thursday, May 25, 2017. https://mbcouch.com/pagedrake daily 0.75 2017-12-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370716818-158A6OLBDA71ALNCNEY3/01_20170425_couch_drake_-57.jpg Drake Drake Adam Fontenot, 26, is a six-year veteran of the Marine Corps and student at North Carolina State University. After being honorably discharged, Fontenot moved to Raleigh, North Carolina and bought a dog. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370724189-APHHL1U1UHQSKYHT36GU/02_20170425_couch_drake-288.jpg Drake In the Marines, Fontenot was an infantry squad leader, in charge of five Marines. Now, Fontenot works in the university’s Veteran’s Affairs office in addition to majoring in Nutritional Sciences. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370746919-ABESNS5EOV2J1IGM8DQE/03_20170426_couch_drake-46.jpg Drake In addition to his single housemate, another Marine veteran, Fontenot lives with his Australian Shepherd, Caliber. “He’s been great for me. I can come home and know I’m loved. I just want him to be the silliest, goofiest dog out there. And he is that. And he loves everyone. I’m not trying to sound like I’m whining, But civilian life is hard. It's so lonely sometimes. I'm single and I feel like I can barely talk to the people at my school because I'm so much older than them." https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370775273-KKRMPXIHHB2E6PU7HRLH/04_20170425_couch_drake-359.jpg Drake Fontenot reads up on his notes before the start of his class. The majority of the rest of the students in the class are ROTC cadets (the students in red shirts), who will eventually be military officers. “I’m 26 and I’m going to school with people who are eight years younger than me. I see that generation gap everyday. The ROTCs, ‘The Future Defenders of America’ all think their shit don’t stink.” https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370786795-SYX79SI9GQOT9W2O473Q/05_20170424_couch_drake-195.jpg Drake While watching TV, Fontenot practices aiming his pistol, which he keeps beside his bed. Fontenot keeps another in his car at all times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370827536-ZPRVPSRGO95BFMMZRLKV/06_20170424_couch_drake-9.jpg Drake Fontenot holds his dog, Caliber, as he watches ESPN in the morning. “I tell people I’m just a single dad trying to make it with my son,” laughs Fontenot. “Little do they know my son is my dog.” On his shoulder, Fontenot had his interpretation of a Guardian Angel tattooed. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370834320-QWEFRUH9UFQVGRWWO5QS/07_20170425_couch_drake-259.jpg Drake In order to make it to his 8:30 a.m. class, Fontenot has to leave his house an hour before. Hanging from his car’s mirror are tokens from his time in the Marines, such as his unit’s cord, the French Fourragere, given to the 5th and 6th Marines Regiments after their actions in World War One. On his dashboard are two pictures of his family members, one of his newborn niece, the other his cousin, who was killed in a bar fight last year. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59c95e4937c581ef2bbab97c/1506370845236-HLGKTQH7Y0RIQ2CJK8Q8/08_20170424_couch_drake-77.jpg Drake Fontenot and Caliber take a break at a dog park. “I’ve been single for six years, man,” said Fontenot. “This whole college thing isn't what I thought it was going to be like. But I got Caliber. And I’m sure I’ll make it one day.” https://mbcouch.com/climbing-away daily 0.75 2017-10-31 https://mbcouch.com/just-what-my-dad-did daily 0.75 2017-12-16 https://mbcouch.com/rooted-in-el-cao daily 0.75 2018-04-25 https://mbcouch.com/read-me-wells daily 0.75 2025-05-09