User:BrooksTM/sandbox

Shawn Wylde (born 1980) is an American eCommerce and Social Media entrepreneur as well as a former U.S. Marine Corps officer. His businesses include American AF, OAF Nation, ASMDSS, Print Brains, and Semper Silkies. He served as a United States Marine Corps officer from 2003 to 2011, achieving the rank of captain. Currently, he is the founder and owner of American AF, a leading eCommerce and Social Media network led by veterans focused on apparel based upon humorous, apolitical perspectives on the United States' hyper-polarized politics and politicians.

Background and Early Life
Wylde was born in Falmouth, Massachusetts. His father served a career in the U.S. Air Force and his stepfather, who raised Wylde and his siblings, served a career in the U.S. Marine Corps. His stepfather retired from the Marine Corps in 1996 as a Master Sergeant. Wylde's mother emigrated from Portugal (The Azores) to Cape Cod as a teenager. Wylde attended the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), where his classmates elected him Honor Court President during the Class of 2002's First-Class year.

Education
Wylde attended Quantico High School aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia for two years and then transferred to Brooke Point High School in Stafford, Virginia where he graduated in 1998. He matriculated at the Virginia Military Institute with a four-year U.S. Naval ROTC Scholarship (Marine Corps option) as did his older brother, a member of the VMI class of 2000. As Honor Court President during his senior year in 2001, Wylde organized and spearheaded a protest --called a step-off at VMI -- along with the First Captain, Class President, and Officers of the Guard Association President.

Military Service
Wylde served eight years on active duty in the Marine Corps, where he attained the rank of Captain and deployed to Iraq. The U.S. Department of Defense awarded Wylde with the ABC Medal.

Fighting Sexism on U.S. Marine Corps Social Media
Marines United.