[March 29, 2016] Neither the Western countries nor the United States has a strategy for how they will work with Islamic nations economically, diplomatically, or militarily. No Western leader has yet to make a serious attempt to place into context the problems that continue to grow there and threatens their own nation states. No one should be surprised,… Read More »
[March 28, 2016] I’m often asked what is more difficult … to stand for what I believe in and do the right thing (moral courage) or to stand against a deadly enemy on the battlefield and fight (physical courage). I have found moral courage to be far more difficult but our leadership is often tested and as humans… Read More »
[March 26, 2016] On my first field exercise as an army Lieutenant, I was tasked to take my platoon from our base camp to another location a short distance away. Twelve armored personnel carriers readied and off we went … and since I was a great map reader, I anticipated no problems on the trip. Unfortunately for me… Read More »
[March 25, 2016] My old American History professor once told me that the best known people of the past had a record of personal growth. Leaders, in his opinion, had unremitting personal growth from childhood onward. Not only was this was their secret to success, there was no exception he could find. It was clear to me at… Read More »
[March 23, 2016] During grade school my brother Phil always loved to draw. But his drawings were not typical; they were of bridges, buildings, and airports. Throughout his school years his ability to design these very things grew as did his interests. Lucky for him, a large engineering company representative saw his work at the High School Fair… Read More »
[March 22, 2016] I was speaking with a young man yesterday who wanted to join the U.S. Navy. His Masters Degree in Nuclear Engineering is in high demand inside the Navy and he knows it. Like most of us, his past is not perfect and he had been convicted for underage drinking back in undergraduate school when he… Read More »
[March 21, 2016] There is much to be said about what Socialism is and what it is not. Socialist Bernie Sanders, now running for the U.S. Presidency, says that it’s about being benevolent and gentle to others. Others say that socialism has a documented track record of mass killings and leading people into poverty. Either way, I will… Read More »
[March 20, 2016] Today is the first day of Spring but from my vantage point here in New York City it looks like it may be a few more weeks before it arrives. With the cold weather arrived my American Legion Magazine and the Commander’s message on accountability. The article was appropriately timed while we debate who will… Read More »
[March 18, 2016] Yesterday morning, the U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared that the Islamic State’s terrorism is genocide against certain religious groups and is now the official position of the United States of America. People would be correct to say that the U.S. is now demonstrating leadership with this declaration. However, leadership is not perfect and… Read More »
[March 16, 2016] As a young military officer I was curious why I was told that one of the keys to winning on the battlefield meant that leaders always reinforce success. In the U.S. Civil War, Union General George Meade failed to pursue the Confederate forces after the latter lost at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. That… Read More »