[December 31, 2019] I got a call from a senior officer in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command last week. He wanted to talk about problems with in-coming recruits and, perhaps, I could give him some ideas. The issues he was starting to see in the Army were difficulties getting new Soldiers to adapt to military life, working long… Read More »
[December 30, 2019] Many across the nation were saddened to hear about the death last week of Don Imus; radio shock-jock, family man, comedian, and philanthropist. He was controversial, and when the next dictionary update is published, his photo might be part of the definition of “provocateur.” Ending the year 2019 on this profile is an honor for… Read More »
[December 29, 2019] Ending the year on a “more likable” article is not what I had in mind this morning when I sat down at my computer. Last night, I was watching an old episode of Seinfeld, the one about the character George Costanza faked being disabled to get a job.1 For fans of Seinfeld, George is not… Read More »
[December 28, 2019] For those new to my leadership blog, this ‘clearing the spindle’ on-going series is about ideas that I haven’t developed into articles. I wanted to provide a little bit of feedback to my readers on things that senior leaders are talking about – often among themselves – and highlight a few that seem to get… Read More »
[December 27, 2019] In December 1944, citizens all across the United States were holding their collective breath. The war in Europe was not over, but it seemed to be winding down. The allies were at ease, well a bit at easy anyway. It was winter, and Germany had not launched a winter military campaign since Frederick the Great… Read More »
[December 26, 2019] We all heard lately about the charges against U.S. President Donald Trump that he abused his power as the nation’s most senior leader. Less discussed, but what is seen as a growing concern is the abuse of power by senior military leaders. Having been a senior leader and been witness to many charges, investigations, and… Read More »
[December 25, 2019] December 1975 saw my U.S. Army company on the Inner German border. Our job was to repel a Communist attack into the West if it were to come. On Christmas Day of that year, we were on high alert and ready with a full load of ammunition, fuel, food, and all the necessary equipment to… Read More »
[December 24, 2019] The day before Christmas 1864, on this date, Union General William T. Sherman presented the city of Savannah, Georgia, to U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. Sherman captured the city after his famous March to the Sea from Atlanta. Savannah was the last major seaport that remained open to the Confederates.1 Intellectually, General Sherman was not just… Read More »
[December 23, 2019] Nearly 75 years ago today, a town sheriff in Bonita Louisiana (a small town in the northeast part of the state) stood with his shotgun at the town’s entrance to prevent the Klu Klux Klan from entering. At the time, he was “stopping progress,” but decades later, he was the town’s savior and hero. An… Read More »
[December 22, 2019] Yesterday was the first day of Winter, and I am finally getting around to another book that leaders might consider reading. Christmas and Hanukkah are just around the corner to kick off the holiday season and snow might be in the forecast. Consider today’s selection as a possible gift to someone you respect. Keeping up… Read More »