[April 18, 2026] It was early in my third combat tour in Iraq, late 2010. My boss, a Brigadier General in the Engineers, called me into his office for a quick discussion. Four detainees had escaped from Camp Cropper, the U.S. military’s main detainee camp near Baghdad International Airport—BIAP. I was Chief of Staff for Engineers under United… Read More »
[April 17, 2026] The new Pope, Leo, just picked a fight with our President Donald J. Trump. He started it. Trump did not. The Pope went on social media and blasted Trump’s handling of the conflict in Iran. He dressed his attacks in religious garb. That was a mistake. Trump fired back, and the Pope kept swinging. Good… Read More »
[April 16, 2026] On occasion, I highlight the work of someone I admire. USMC Veteran Richard Martin is one of those men who has earned our nation’s respect. He is also a great friend of all Veterans, including me. I certainly did not expect such an outpouring of talent in the form of poems from a tough-as-nails Marine.… Read More »
[April 15, 2026] I discovered that Soldiers who can grind out their duties under tough U.S. Army Commanders repeatedly say the same thing: it was the hardest job of their lives, but they did the best work they ever produced. Even after brutal feedback or sudden exits, they look back and admit the pressure they were under forged… Read More »
[April 14, 2026] Elon Musk has been blunt: the American formal education system is failing. It’s outdated, inefficient, and increasingly captured by ideology. For years, he’s pointed out its core problems and pushed practical fixes. Here’s what he says is wrong and how to fix it. The factory assembly line model is the biggest flaw. Schools group kids… Read More »
[April 13, 2026] Kids growing up in the 1950s and 1960s learned to be resilient and independent from a young age. They faced challenges head-on, often without protective gear or constant supervision. Lessons in perseverance and self-reliance were woven into everyday life. If something broke, you learned to fix it or made do with what you had. This… Read More »
[April 12, 2026] John Wayne rode his horse like he owned the whole prairie, and folks still talk about the quiet strength he brought to every role. His characters didn’t whine or make a big show when trouble came knocking. They squared their shoulders, kept their word, and got the job done. That’s stoicism, cowboy style; facing the… Read More »
[April 11, 2026] The “zombie apocalypse” has surged in popularity through films, TV shows like The Walking Dead, video games, and survivalist fiction. What began as niche horror now symbolizes societal fears. But, can we really learn any lessons from this trend. Beyond entertainment, it offers practical life lessons: prepare for crises, build skills and community, cultivate resilience,… Read More »
[April 10, 2026] One of my favorite contemporary movies of all time is Babe (1995) starring James Cromwell as farmer Hoggett. The pig Babe was voiced by Christine Cavanaugh. Great movie for some very good reasons that I’ll unpack here. The movie Babe isn’t just a cute story about a pig who herds sheep. It’s a smart tale… Read More »
[April 9, 2026] In the US Army, people argue over which rank is the best. While there is significant internal debate, most of us know where the rubber meets the road and are not shy about telling the truth about which rank is the most valuable — the one at the point where decisions are carried out. What… Read More »