[May 16, 2026] The military command ‘stand your ground’ has deep roots in U.S. Army history, dating back to the American Revolutionary War. On the night of April 19, 1775, Captain John Parker gave his now-famous order to his men. “Stand your ground… Don’t fire until fired upon. But if they want to have a war, let it… Read More »
[February 21, 2022] U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Bryant stood like a statue looking over the simulated battlefield on the west side of Fort Polk, LA. We were about to charge into the open fields to attack the enemy. “Stand ready!” he said with great anticipation, “Charge!” And we went, willy-nilly running like the highly motivated newbie recruits we… Read More »
[November 15, 2020] Just after midnight on May 1, 1898, the USS Olympia led a squadron of warships into Manila Bay. Spain and the U.S. had been at war for only a few days. As morning dawned, Commodore George Dewey hailed Olympia’s captain and spoke the now-famous words; You may fire when you are ready, Gridley. The ensuing… Read More »
[October 26, 2020] Since at least 1793, when flintlock weapons were ready to fire as “well locked and loaded,” the phrase Lock and Load has been used by both the military and in general society. I first heard it while watching the John Wayne film Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) when I was about ten years old. For… Read More »
[August 18, 2020] One of the most iconic battles of the U.S. Civil War occurred in August of 1864 at the Battle of Mobile Bay. It may have been the most dramatic moment of the naval war, comparable to Pickett’s charge at Gettysburg. It was during the battle that Union Admiral David Farragut commanded his ships to attack… Read More »
[August 2, 2020] Standing in line to get my field issue from the Supply Sergeant, I was given an M5A1 Korean-War era bayonet. I had to sign for it, of course. Asking what it was for, I was told to ask my Platoon Leader. Later that week, my Infantry Company was part of an extensive Field Training Exercise… Read More »
[July 21, 2020] For the past few months, I’ve been looking on eBay to find some old World War II posters for my office. I ran across one with the words “Follow Me!” emblazoned across the top. It turns out that Follow Me is a famous leader command and is the motto of the U.S. Infantry.1 When asked… Read More »
[July 18, 2020] Among the opening scenes in the movie Gladiator (2000), Roman general Maximus is readying his cavalry to charge into the rear of a large barbarian army. To motivate his men, he encourages them to show strength and honor in the face of the enemy. Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, tells his cavalrymen in their attack… Read More »
[March 15, 2014] When I was growing up in the Deep South, I was exposed to a variety of community leaders and as successful as each was they displayed many recurring qualities that fascinated me. Years later I realized some of those common traits were key to being a successful leader. After reading the Art of War by… Read More »
[March 27, 2023] Due to a planned surgery, I will be offline for a week or so. It is uncommon for me to miss any day without a blog post but “doctor’s orders … stay off the computer.” As readers know, I’m the only one who maintains the site, and thus there will be no posting. I will… Read More »