Fort Huachuca colonel often longs for bustle of home in East

The Maryland native and chief of staff for the U.S. Army Intelligence Center at the Sierra Vista post, roughly 75 miles southeast of Tucson, was born on a June 14, sharing his birthday with the Army's.

The 48-year-old, an admitted sports nut, said while he had dreams of being a professional basketball player, he knew he was destined for a career in the military.

"I knew in the back of my head that it was something I always wanted to do," he said.

Being a native of the Washington, D.C., area — he went to high school in Maryland before receiving a bachelor's degree in psychology from Virginia State University — Briley said he sometimes misses the dense population and frenetic pace of living in a metropolitan area.

But the wide-open spaces of Southern Arizona have their own charm. "The weather and the landscape are amazing," he said. "The mountains are beautiful in every direction you go."

Here's a quick Q&A:

● What do you miss about Maryland?

"My family is still there, so, of course, I miss them. I miss being close to the world's capital. You learn a lot because you're exposed to what goes on."

● Is there anything you don't like about living in Southern Arizona?

"I wish I was closer to Phoenix. I love Scottsdale. The pace of Sierra Vista is not what I'm used to."

● You said you love sports, so do you have a favorite team?

"I don't claim the 'Skins (Washington Redskins), but I keep up with them. I like Washington teams, like the Nationals, Capitals and DC United."

● What about college sports?

"I love Maryland. My older brothers went there."

● In terms of college basketball, which conference is better, the Pac-10 or the ACC?

"I think the ACC is the better conference. The Pac-10 has a few strong teams, where the ACC, even the bottom teams are strong. The recruiting programs (in the ACC) are so strong. And just the other night, Arizona lost to (Virginia)."

● Given Arizona's weather, is there anything you've been able to do out here that you couldn't do when you were living back in Maryland?

"I said I was going to play golf, but I haven't played yet since I got out here. I've been doing some biking out here, though."

Editor's note: Because so many Tucsonans started out somewhere else, we offer this weekly feature — geared especially to newcomers and visitors — profiling Tucsonans who are transplants from other states.