[February 18, 2022] The first time I was assigned to a heavy weapons team, I was thrilled to be given the responsibility. Two days of training on the ‘Ma Deuce’ M2 50 caliber machine gun gave me insight into squad teamwork and the quirks of my team. Headspace and timing was the first thing we learned.
In the military, “headspace and timing” has two meanings. First, there is the technical meaning. This is how my team was trained. See the description below about adjustments to the gun so that rounds fire correctly.1 Newer M2 variants have the headspace and timing automated, but we did this manually in the “old” days.
The second meaning refers to how well a leader can think under pressure. If the leader is terrible at their job, he must have ‘missed the class’ on headspace and timing. In other words, he is a dumbass. I found many of these guys and told them that they needed to make significant improvements in their ability to lead soldiers. They had a headspace and timing problem that needed fixin’.
I also knew several officers who had a headspace and timing problem. Such is the case whenever we work in large bureaucratic organizations. Some leaders are just not up to the task of leading. Some will fall by the wayside along the way; they either willingly quit or are involuntarily discharged.
Poor leaders can be found at every level. I’m sad to say that we find bad leaders at even the most senior levels of an organization. I worked for some truly awful one and two-star generals in my long career. Yep, they were dumbasses, all right. Their decisions were not conceived from a systematic, experienced formal decision-making process but from their personal career needs.
U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley is an example of how a mediocre leader can do serious damage to a great organization when their thinking lacks the proper headspace and timing.
And that is at the heart of failed leadership.
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- Headspace is the distance between a chambered cartridge’s base and the machine-gun bolt, and timing is pretty much what it sounds like in a belt-fed gun. Early versions of the M2 required the operator to adjust headspace and timing to avoid jams manually.
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Please read my new book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” at Amazon (link here).
Never heard of this before, but I’ve also never been in the army. One of my life’s regrets was to have never served. I do support our troops and veterans any chance I get.
“U.S. Army General Mark A. Milley is an example of how a mediocre leader can do serious damage to a great organization when their thinking lacks the proper headspace and timing.” What a great comment.
Worst soldier in the US military, General Mark A. Milley.
My time as a US Marine, I found the same thing. Marines say the same, “headspace and timing” is a bit off on many officers.
Here’s an example of a bad headspace and timing issue with a politician.
When Fascism Comes To America, It Will Look Like Justin Trudeau’s Canada
https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/02/when-fascism-comes-to-america-it-will-look-like-justin-trudeaus-canada/
Trudeau’s dangerous not just because he’s abusing Canadians, but because he is providing the wish list for crackdowns by Democrats in the U.S.: “every single bank, credit union, investment broker and insurance provider in the country has been deputized to figure out if they have a blockader as a client, and to immediately freeze their accounts if so.”
So sad that Canada has become the new China. 😢
Gen. Satterfield, thanks for once again smacking down political general Mark Milley (“woke” a-hole) that should immediately resign and never be seen again. He is an example of how bad a leader can be.
Sad that America has such horrific leaders as Gen. Mark Milley.
… but but but there are lots and lots of great ones out there. Listen to Howie Carr. Live! Monbats beware!
weak leaders create bad times
strong leaders create good times
Hey folks, just another reminder that Gen. Satterfield published his first book and it is on Amazon. I know you will love it. It gives us great insight into the man, a real leader who has proven himself on the battlefield. He is always focused on caring for his people. Go get the book now and leave a review for him.
It is no longer surprising to me that such stupid people rise to the top of organizations. What is wrong?
Thanks Dale, we are on board with you. Please buy his book now. Buy three books and give two away. 👍
Correct, poor leaders can be found at all levels. Altho, theoretically, they are filtered out along the way. Today, we are not doing it because we are “mean.” Well, that means leaders get to the top who will do great damage to their organization and to others outside their org. Like Canada’s PM Justin “black face” Trudeau or US Pres. Joe “dementia” Biden. Don’t be surprised the damage poor leadership can cause.
Biden and Trudeau are clearly examples of the Peter Principle.
https://www.theleadermaker.com/called-peter-principle/
You got that right Maureen. But it’s worse than that. If there is a good, educated and experienced staff, a bunch of the problems can be fixed. Not here.
Yep! Nuff said. Now, how can we mitigate the damage?
This is what happens when there is a “war” on meritocracy. When anyone can be promoted – now based on race or sex – you get terrible results. Don’t support the stupid being promoted to higher and higher positions.
Yep! Loving this website on leadership. Go Gen. Satterfield. Big fan here for a long time. Keep up the great work you are doing. Randy, well said.
Excellent article, Gen. Satterfield. Oh, could you do another article on the Canadian trucker freedom convoy? I would like to hear your message to them.
Call it HP and T but it’s really just old fashioned stupidity. Today we allow weak leaders to advance in the name of “equity” when they should have been stopped early. Now they are wrecking so many organizations. And, I agree with Gen. Satterfield that Gen. Milley is the classic example.
Gen. Mark Milley is also a traitor. Just look up the term traitor, he fits it.
Oh, saw a great photoshopped pix of him yesterday on the Internet showing a LBGTQ xyz flag in place of his ribbons. What a man? Not. 😊
Found it!!!!!!!
https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=ed48FqCt&id=A47D2B1694AFC4331E59032B6CCEE420D3933795&thid=OIP.ed48FqCtNyXK0CUJKt6HAgHaD5&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fmediarightnews.com%2fwp-content%2fuploads%2f2021%2f06%2fTeddy-Daniels-Milley.jpg&cdnurl=https%3a%2f%2fth.bing.com%2fth%2fid%2fR.79de3c16a0ad3725cad025092ade8702%3frik%3dlTeT0yDkzmwrAw%26pid%3dImgRaw%26r%3d0&exph=1076&expw=2048&q=mark+milley+with+rainbow+flag&simid=607995098196948799&FORM=IRPRST&ck=25853C551522B356F501EF25CA9F3B3B&selectedIndex=11&qpvt=mark+milley+with+rainbow+flag&ajaxhist=0&ajaxserp=0
Yikes!
Girlie man Milley. I know, I’m giving girlie men too much credit.
I call ’em BRAIN FARTS ……… many of our leaders need a good hard kick in the ass.
old warrior, much more blunt and much more funny!
Gosh, old warrior, I need to stop drinking coffee in the morning when I read your comments. Thanks for another ray of fun sunlight to make my day. Oh, my old dog got a kick out of me spitting out my coffee. At least it didn’t go up my nose.
Yeah, better watch out. Oh, has Canada yet gone full tyranny? Why are most of their politicians so relaxed about it? Eh!
Very funny! BARKING SPIDERS!