The Story Behind 11th & Charlie Creative

 

When I founded my video agency, I knew the name had to mean something. It couldn’t just be catchy or trendy, it needed to carry weight. It needed to reflect not just what we do, but how we do it. For me, that meant looking back to where I first learned the value of skill, adaptability, and true support: my time in the U.S. Army.

 

From the Battlefield to the Creative Field

 

I’m an Iraq combat veteran. My MOS  (Military Occupational Specialty)  was 11 Bravo, a Light Infantryman. In the infantry, we rely on each other in ways that are hard to describe to those outside the service. Among our most trusted allies were the   

11 Charlies: mortar-men.

 

Mortar squads are a critical support element for the infantry. They’re highly trained, incredibly versatile, and maneuverable enough to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. They’re unique because they are the only close fire support element that lives and works right alongside the troops they’re supporting. They’re not just “support” in the abstract, they’re embedded, sharing the same risks, the same challenges, and the same victories.

 

Why 11th & Charlie

 

When it came time to name my company, I thought back to my very first unit: Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment. The name 11th & Charlie Creative is a nod to that world, both my own role as an 11 Bravo and the mortarmen who had our backs every step of the way.  I chose it because I want to serve my clients the way the 11 Charlies served us over a decade ago: as a skilled, trusted, and fully embedded partner.

 

The Mission Today

 

At 11th & Charlie Creative, our goal is to provide highly skilled video production services that can adapt to any niche, industry, or circumstance. Like the mortar squad, we work right alongside the people we’re supporting, becoming an extension of their team. We bring precision, creativity, and the ability to maneuver quickly when the mission changes.  For me this isn’t just a business model, it’s a mindset I carried over from my time in uniform. The best support doesn’t just show up; it integrates, understands, and delivers exactly what’s needed, when it’s needed.  And that’s exactly what we do.