[June 7, 2023] When I was a young Infantry captain and company commander, I published my command philosophy (i.e., my leadership philosophy) – good thing because it forced me to think about how I would act and how I thought soldiers would perceive me. I had spent time reading books on famous leaders from history, especially World War… Read More »
[June 5, 2023] Until recently, a person could relocate to another geographic area, gain helpful employment, and start a family, thereby leaving past transgressions in the past. The permanency of our past is, however, here to stay. Many well-known people have experienced a bit of embarrassment when their past behavior and associations were made public. Things that occurred… Read More »
[June 4, 2023] It is often said that a leader’s performance in a peacetime environment cannot predict how that leader will act in combat. This well-known knowledge of human performance has been recorded since the Roman Empire. Under peaceful, less dangerous circumstances, the military leader has priorities that differ from combat, where death is expected. “Inquiries are… Read More »
[June 2, 2023] It looks like the superstore Target failed to get the message from parents. “Don’t mess with our kids.” In support of Pride Month (was this just Pride Day recently), Target put displays of children’s wear in front of their stores that included a line from a Satan worshiper, including tuck-friendly girls’ swimsuits for boys. … Read More »
[May 28, 2023] If you don’t have the answer, don’t pretend you do. Yes, I know; the most hated words someone can say is, “I don’t know.” But the shortest way to lose credibility is to claim you do know. Nothing is more frustrating for someone pretending they know something when they do not. No one is expecting… Read More »
[May 27, 2023] I originally wrote this blog post with the title “Disrespect to Leaders” but realized that I was leaving out a big part of the picture by not including “anger.” What brought me to this conclusion was an article entitled “America’s Anger Epidemic: Why?” by Dan Bowens. It’s really about workplace dysfunction. To buy into the… Read More »
[May 26, 2023] In two weeks, I will be at the memorial and military funeral service for a U.S. Army Soldier who died during the Korean War. His remains were recently identified and are now being returned to his home in Mays Landing, NJ, just a short drive from my home. I was asked to say a few… Read More »
[May 22, 2023] A few years ago, I wrote a very popular article on what it takes to be an Army Officer as measured by “The Army Officer’s Guide (1983 edition). Not only was it well liked, and one of those that many emailed to say thanks. Here is that article in full. Twice, I’ve written about the… Read More »
[May 19, 2023] Great stories never die. And neither do great myths; some of those heroes’ stories are popularized but false. In the mid-1970s, I was stationed in West Germany and heard from many of their citizens how rubble women were the mainstay of rebuilding a destroyed Germany. New evidence from Germany itself contradicts much of this myth.… Read More »
[May 18, 2023] As I put pen to paper (yes, the old-fashioned way), Memorial Day is only a few days away. I’m lucky to have served some incredible folks during my time during my military time, in peace and war, and under some extreme circumstances. This means taking the good with the bad, learning that the human way… Read More »