Soldier's sleight of hand wows at magic show

By Mark Iacampo, U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria-HohenfelsSeptember 10, 2014

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HOHENFELS, Germany -- Strange things were afoot at The Zone as Pfc. Justin Craigen of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, took to the stage to dazzle and confound the audience at his magic show, Sept. 5.

"He was a very impressive young man with a great presentation and some amazing tricks," said Sgt. 1st Class Tommy Maddox, U.S. Army Europe's operations section (G-3).

What made Craigen's tricks even more impressive is he did most of them mere inches from his audience in much the same way Criss Angel performs his illusions with bystanders on the streets.

"I saw Criss Angel's first TV episode when I was a kid, and I was hooked," said Craigen.

Though only 20 years old, Craigen has been studying magic for 10 years, and as a teenager often performed in his hometown of Columbus, Georgia.

"There were times I was pulling in $500 - $600 a week, just off tips," Craigen said.

Most of the tricks Craigen performed were his own creations, and he said inventing his own effects is where his passion lies.

"I'm getting older and more into magic, and I want to concentrate more on my own effects and putting myself out there," Craigen said.

That dedication comes with a cost, and Craigen said many times he'll come home from work and stay up all night perfecting his act. It appears to be working, though.

"Even when I thought I knew how he performed one of the tricks, I kept staring at his hands and I still couldn't see him do it," said one amazed patron.

Craigen said it was that kind of response that keeps him motivated.

"When I create my own effects and show someone, and see their reaction to what I created, that's more fun for me," he said.

For inspiration for new tricks, Craigen said he just tries to think of something that seems impossible, and then he tries to imagine a way to create the effect.

"I'd like to see him again," said Maddox. "It was a lot of fun."

"That was the best Friday night I've had in a while," said Capt. Scott Haywood, 2nd Calvary Regiment.

Craigen can be contacted through his website and some of his illusions can be viewed on his YouTube channel.

Related Links:

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USAG Bavaria website

Justin Craigen's Website

USAG Bavaria Rebelmouse

Justin Craigen's YouTube