About The Authors
Preston and Brock Rice are twin brothers born October 21, 1981, in Spokane Washington. In 1984 their family moved to Vancouver, British Columbia. Upon their High School graduation in 2000, the brothers, who have always had a passion in various activities together decided they would both enlist in the United States Air Force, proudly following in the footsteps of family members including their Father (USN) Grandfathers (USAF), Uncle (USAF) and Great Grandfather, Maj. General Robert H. Soule (US ARMY).
On their 33rd birthday together, the brothers created the concept for the Little Forces. As the idea grew, Preston and Brock decided it was a great project to introduce. The project also opened the opportunity for the brothers to memorialize some of their friends in the Special Operations community that they have lost during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. These books are about paying tribute to the families of the Special Operations community by including characters in the stories named after some of their children as well as Brock and Preston’s own children.
The Little Forces series was developed in collaboration with family members in order to present a message of kindness, creativity, compassion and teamwork. The theme articulated in each book is “Good Dudes, Good Deeds.” The Little Forces is a group of children using creative play to restore integrity and honesty within their neighborhood when problems arise. The Little Forces utilizes teamwork, technology and some fun military terminology in order to accomplish their “missions.” The book series also promotes outdoor activity. Most importantly, we hope they are fun for both the children and the parents to read together!
Preston Rice
Preston Rice is the founder and co-author of The Little Forces LLC. He entered the United States Air Force in January 2001 as a Weather Technician. His first duty Assignment took him to Germany where he studied and implemented his training as a Weather Forecaster. “It was an opportunity to see the world.”
Preston experienced all that Europe had to offer by traveling and visiting some of the regions greatest attractions. He participated in the Nijmegen hundred-mile march in the Netherlands, which is an event that promotes sport and exercise. Preston was promoted ahead of his peers while stationed in Germany. After spending two years in Europe, Preston was assigned to Hurlburt Field, Florida where he worked directly with the Special Operations community. While there, he deployed in direct support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and spent several months in Iraq and Kuwait providing weather briefs to aircrews and commanders to facilitate decision making on high priority missions.
Upon leaving the military, Preston became proficient in personal training while studying kinesiology and engineering. Preston’s interests are boundless and he enjoys the opportunity to learn new skills. He enjoys skydiving and bungee jumping. On a trip to Belize he dove at the famous Blue hole. “It was an experience I will never forget.” His desire to learn and enjoy life’s adventures will never diminish.
He currently works for L-3 Technologies which requires him to travel overseas for two months at a time. While home, Preston enjoys spending time with his three boys. Preston has always envisioned starting his own business. These books represent something bigger than just a project for him. They are a chance to give back to the Special Operations community and support other veterans like himself. For Preston, his sons and his close relationship with his twin brother have been the inspiration in the creation and writing of the “Little Forces” stories.
Brock Rice
Brock Rice entered the United States Air Force in November 2000 where he began his career as a Combat Controller. He endured a demanding two-year selection process that has an attrition rate of over 70%. Brock completed one of the Nation’s toughest selection courses and was sent to some of the military’s elite schools to include Military Free Fall and Combat Diver Qualification.
Brock worked with Navy S.E.A.L.S and Special Forces teams in Afghanistan and Iraq during his seven combat rotations. His career projected him into Joint Special Operations command “JSOC.” As a highly skilled communicator and problem solver coupled with the ability to take decisive action, he was called upon to perform the nation’s toughest missions. For his actions on the battlefield, Brock received two bronze stars (one with valor) and four Joint Service Accommodation medals (with valor) along with many other decorations.
Beyond the military, Brock has had diverse entrepreneurial experiences. He has worked in Real Estate, product development and is now a software developer at a startup technology company. Brock is an active hiker and enjoys riding Motorcycles. He holds a class C license through the US Parachute Association and is a Master diver licensed through PADI.
Brock is married to Kate Rice (Szafran) and together they keep themselves busy by chasing their two boys under the age of three. Entrepreneurship has been a passion of Brocks since leaving the military. He has helped veterans start companies and develop ideas. “Many veterans desire to be in charge of their own destiny and strive to bring value to their communities through innovative ideas.” Brock realized, that in order to get behind a project that he really cared about, it needed to have meaning. For him “Little Forces” is one of those projects.