Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[May 15, 2026] One of the greatest advantages of a military career is the opportunity to work alongside genuinely brilliant minds—people I came to think of as hyper-intellectuals. This essay is about what I learned from really smart people during my years as a General Officer, and how I learned to lead them effectively. Most military leaders avoid… Read More »
[May 14, 2026] You’ve got to be tough as nails to be a good person because you have to stand your ground when you need to stand your ground. And, you have to be able to say no when it’s time to say no, and you have to mean it. Grow a spine! Develop your internal, physical strength,… Read More »
[May 13, 2026] Over several decades, I had the privilege of closely observing highly effective leaders across U.S. and foreign militaries. I studied what enabled them to accomplish demanding missions under pressure and deliberately worked to adopt their approaches. A clear pattern emerged. The following traits and behaviors consistently predicted superior military performance. Intelligence Higher intelligence, as measured… Read More »
[May 11, 2026] We are each morally and socially obligated to do remarkable things. This is because the world is a difficult place, and being part of it means we owe it to ourselves and to others to be fully engaged. Otherwise, we risk becoming embittered, depressed, and hateful. Yesterday, under Rule 63, I wrote that “life is… Read More »
[May 10, 2026] You have less time for the many things you want to do, much less time than you think. Be aware of that, and be grateful and awake. Maximize the time and minimize the wasteful, stupid, unnecessary behavior, because you do not know when your time is up or when those opportunities will vanish. Your time… Read More »
[May 9, 2026] It took me a long time, many decades, to learn that the best place for me was on a path toward the most difficult goal. Dr. Jordan Peterson puts this into words much better than I ever could. In one of his lectures, he talks about the Knights of the Round Table as they go… Read More »
[May 8, 2026] Find something worthwhile and difficult to do in your life. Why? Humans are not made for comfort or for pleasure. If those sorts of things come along in your life, then be grateful and enjoy those short-term pleasures, then move on. Your life should not be aimed at comfort or pleasure; doing so is reprehensible,… Read More »
[May 7, 2026] Just a couple of days ago, I had the pleasure of meeting several older veterans. I don’t use the “old” descriptor as an insult; they would agree with me. All were in their 90s. I asked them, with all seriousness, what advice they would give young folks who wanted to join the U.S. military. I… Read More »
[May 6, 2026] Doug, I hope you read this. It’s a brief story of my dad’s capture by the North Koreans. This article is by Jaime Walker, son of James M. Walker. Updated Summary of James M. Walker and Sergeant Allan H. Jamison’s Shared Military Engagement and Captivity in the Korean War James M. Walker (born September 1933,… Read More »
[May 5, 2026] Your enemies will tell you things about yourself that you do not know and that no one else will tell you. Of course, some of those things might not be true. But some of them will. And if your enemies tell you something terrible about yourself that’s true; they immediately become your harshest critics and… Read More »