[February 13, 2022] My school years were often punctuated by teachers asking me, ‘Doug, why can’t you follow the rules?’ I was never really that good at it. After joining the U.S. Army, I struggled to follow their rules and would suffer as a consequence. Understanding why there were rules (regulations, policies, directives, orders, etc.) was helpful but… Read More »
[February 12, 2022] In 1986, I took command of a line U.S. Army Infantry Company. Nearly 200 men were members of my unit, mainly Infantry, but a few support soldiers. We had medics, communications specialists, clerks, and a couple of mechanics. It took a continued effort from the command team to point all our people in the right… Read More »
[February 11, 2022] Sometimes, history presents us with unexpected lessons. I recently read Antony Beevor’s 1999 book, Stalingrad: The Fateful siege: 1942-1943. My objective was to learn as much as possible to help me be a better leader. But can we take lessons from a long-ago battle and make those lessons apply to us as an individual? Yes,… Read More »
[February 10, 2022] I admit to putting off the publication of this article for several months. I wrote it back in July of last year and decided to wait for several reasons. I list those reasons below. Some folks I trust implicitly, all in the U.S. Army, have told me about internal policy changes and evolving military priorities… Read More »
[February 9, 2022] I discovered long ago that motivation makes the difference in how well or poorly we all live our lives. I also found that avoiding personal destruction and failure was the most common motivational factor for leaders; not struggling for success, not happiness, not good feelings, and not helping the world. That’s right. The fear of… Read More »
[February 4, 2022] I’m a little late getting around to this article, much to my embarrassment. I like to recognize courage immediately when I see it. Well, 30 lashes and to the dog house for me. It takes a lot of abuse before Canadians, a very laid-back population, get up enough drive to take on their government, but… Read More »
[February 3, 2022] A peek into Chapter 2 of my book, Our Longest Year in Iraq. I thought this might spark some ideas about the leadership at the grunt level. I called it our turn in the “box” – the box was the Iraq battlefield. Thanks for reading it: The greatest foe on the battlefield is fear; it… Read More »
[February 1, 2022] From 2003 until sometime in 2008, the highway between the Baghdad Airport and the Green Zone was the most dangerous road in the world. More deaths occurred along this main supply route, called Route Irish than any other stretch of road anywhere. I discuss Route Irish in my book, Our Longest Year in Iraq. My… Read More »
[January 31, 2022] For years now, I’ve been asked to give advice to young men and women about how to live a successful life. I’m humbled by their requests but like all people, I have a biased view. Now, I am asking my readers to please give me their input. What do you think is important to have… Read More »
[January 28, 2022] You advance the human spirit when telling a story. Telling stories of heroes is a skill that is a must-have. Stores have been told since humans walked in the wild long long ago. Stories help us know who we are and where we are going. One such story has long been part of my family’s… Read More »