[January 16, 2021] The idea, instilled in all incoming U.S. military officers, that we should stay out of politics has always puzzled me. On the one hand, we are told that our behavior can have strategic effects, yet we keep our mouths shut about the political element of strategy.1 Like other publications,2 I was asked to comment on… Read More »
[January 15, 2021] Leaders around the world are starting to speak out in condemnation of Twitter’s censorship of U.S. President Trump and others they don’t agree with politically.1 This backlash is about Twitter trampling on fundamental democratic freedoms. The leadership of Twitter has repeatedly stated that their censorship goals are only about safety and are not biased in… Read More »
[January 14, 2021] Looking back into the haze of thousands of years ago, we can sometimes see meaning in the works of those who lived. And, those meanings can be a lesson for us living today. That is the case with Fort Buhen, Egypt. Early Egypt: Before the New Kingdom (16th to 11th Century BC), Egypt had a… Read More »
[January 13, 2021] If it involves kids, you can sign me up. I believe that children should be protected so that they can grow up to be the best they can be. That is why I’m a big fan of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. They don’t list their core values explicitly, but their Mission Statement helps us… Read More »
[January 12, 2021] The world is unimaginably complex, dangerous, and unpredictable. Events happen quickly, unexpectedly. It can kill you. While we want to feel we are in control, and we are in some ways, we are often not in control. This is why we must face the danger that inevitably appears. “He who learns but does not think,… Read More »
[January 11, 2021] It was late Autumn of 1989 when my Infantry company was involved in one of the most extensive U.S. Army training exercises of the year. After two weeks in the field, we were cold, wet, tired, and beat mentally. Yet, our spirits were high as the exercise ended, and our unit was first to hit… Read More »
[January 10, 2021] Sociologists tell us that culture affects perception, and perceptions drive behavior. Some parts of our culture influence us in different ways, and some are more powerful than others. Growing up, like so many kids, I watched television and saw something exciting and educational. One show that I favored was The Rat Patrol (1966-1968). Starring Christopher… Read More »
[January 8, 2021] Of the many American battles to study, the Battle of New Orleans ranks right up there with the best. Lessons from the battle are many. The battle was one of the last and the most bloody of the War of 1812. This war was what many Americans saw as the “Second War of Independence.”1 By… Read More »
[January 6, 2021] Working with great leaders brings many advantages, not all of which are directly related to learning how to think and act appropriately. First, as an enlisted soldier and then as an officer, I was able to see leadership from two different perspectives. In my opinion, the U.S. military is the best place to observe and… Read More »
[January 5, 2021] I am fortunate to have worked with, as well as worked for, some of the worst officers that the U.S. Army ever produced. I’m happy for the opportunity because, as Army senior leaders often note, you can still learn much from a poor leader. Some of the worst leader traits I found in new U.S.… Read More »