[November 23, 2014] Over the past few months, we have witnessed leaders of several countries who failed decisively to unite their nation. Socialist leaders do a better job although they typically use brute force – or threat of force – to achieve that end. Political leaders in democratic nations generally have a more difficult environment to achieve that… Read More »
[November 15, 2014] Attending the U.S. Army Infantry School as second lieutenants, we were introduced to the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. Despite its introduction into Vietnam 20 years earlier with tactical success, it was still plagued with a few problems – notably a weak engine, difficult maintenance, and limited weapon systems. Many of us complained about the weaknesses… Read More »
[November 06, 2014] Symbolic of the U.S. military’s reserve components (the National Guard and Reserves) is the “Revolutionary Minuteman” who forever stands as a sentinel against this nation’s enemies. Our military forces stand ready to protect the United States – ever present historically and dedicated to the future. This is what we can call vigilance; perpetually being present… Read More »
[October 30, 2014] When we look back on the 20th Century United States history, we see many great figures. There were those in politics and the military that shepherded us through two great wars and a number of other major conflicts. There were those in science who lead us forward in medicine, physics, engineering, and chemistry. And, while… Read More »
[October 19, 2014] In 1936, critics called Winston Churchill the “number one warmonger” in Britain for writing that the German Nazis were going to cause a war on a larger scale than ever before. Churchill had something that only the greatest of leaders possess. He had the ability of seeing the world clearly. Such insight requires a talent… Read More »
[October 10, 2014] There is a new theme in the professional study of senior leaders and it says that those leaders must have a sense of unpretentiousness to be effective and successful. Anyone being familiar with U.S. leaders, and its military culture in particular, knows that such a character trait of their military men certainly does not include… Read More »
[September 25, 2014] My great aunt Marie was running her hairdresser shop across the street from the Little Rock Central High School on this day in 1957 when she was surprised by reporters from ABC and NBC. They had come to witness the standoff between the State of Arkansas and soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division.… Read More »
[September 12, 2014] Actually six! Sorry, but I couldn’t help adding a sixth to a very good article on success. The 5 things successful people do are also those things that leaders do. The author wrote that that there are five things that successful people do “that others don’t.” I’ve listed his five below and added my sixth… Read More »
[September 08, 2014] One of the many surprises that I encountered as a military flag officer was the number of senior civilians who were uneducated in their field. By uneducated I don’t mean they lacked a formal college degree but they had stopped their education in any meaningful way. They must have figured that all they needed was… Read More »
[September 07, 2014] In April 1918 near Paris, the German Army commander failed to recognize the important contributions a small number of U.S. Marines entering the fight would have on the outcome. The Marines were inexperienced and had not proven themselves a significant battlefield force since their arrival a few months prior to the fight at Belleau Woods.… Read More »