[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 8, 2022] Growing up, us kids had minimal permission to watch television and were restricted to one 30-minute show per evening. My brother and I chose the TV show Combat!, starring Vic Morrow and Rick Jason.1 This televised war drama series covered the grim lives of a squad of American soldiers fighting the Germans during World War… Read More »
[February 7, 2022] This is what I wrote to my son the day after Iraqi’s first democratic election: “It appears that the Iraqi elections were a complete success by any measure.” The Iraqis defied the terrorists; women, in particular, voted overwhelmingly. The elections were more than a move toward democracy but a move toward a civilized, modern society.… Read More »
[February 6, 2022] I didn’t know it at the time, but I grew up privileged. As a young boy, my privilege was being in the company of combat veterans from World War II and the Korean War. They were everywhere; being salesmen, pumping gas, farming, raising dairy cows,1 all holding down ordinary jobs you could find in a… Read More »
[February 5, 2022] We hear, on occasion, of heroic deeds of our military personnel; those who put their lives on the line for their buddies in a display of unbelievable courage. We need heroes like that, and for reasons of necessity, we do indeed love our heroes. But, there are also many more stories of ordinary troops who,… 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 2, 2022] Consider your latest completed project, a newly closed deal, or a system change in your company. What challenges did you confront? How did you overcome them? Hurdles. Detours. Explorations. These are only a few of what a typical leader deals with in their business endeavor. As leaders, you face a multitude of challenges and… 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 »