Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[April 3, 2022] Yesterday, I had the pleasure to attend an open house on a new equine Therapeutic Riding Center in a small town near where I live. The event was advertised for all who wished to be part of an effort to expand horse riding for those who may need that extra level of care. I was… Read More »
[April 2, 2022] “Don’t take yourself so seriously, Satterfield.” My Platoon Sergeant was conducting my first performance review as a new NCO and gave me some much-needed advice. I wanted to do a good job as his team leader; being new, maybe I was too intense. His guidance to me was to relax and use humor to make… Read More »
[April 1, 2022] Running any large, complex organization is mind-bogglingly difficult. Running the American government, one of the world’s largest, is beyond the scope of human understanding. One thing that makes it easier is sticking with the approved mission and keeping priorities in focus. Unfortunately, the U.S. State Department is unfocused, unserious, and is failing at its mission.… Read More »
[March 31, 2022] The idea that our family can positively impact the military is a long-held view by senior military leaders. Why that is so is something I will explore. I’m often asked about my own views on the family and how family life affects the quality and success of military service members. “The true soldier fights not… Read More »
[March 30, 2022] John Wayne is an iconic idol of manhood. Tough, courageous, self-reliant, and independent; are the hallmarks of true manliness. In the 1975 American western movie “Rooster Cogburn,” John Wayne stars as an aging, one-eyed lawman doing his best to redeem his reputation and earn back his marshal’s badge. Critics do not consider the movie to… Read More »
[March 29, 2022] Some folks will tell you this rule of what-not-to-do in combat is plain old common sense. Let me be clear! It’s not. I have seen some of the dumbest behavior on the battlefield, and those people still amaze me. Rules of combat are there because some people are just plain stupid. Don’t get me wrong,… Read More »
[March 28, 2022] I’ve always believed that the redeeming value of movies is more than their immediate entertainment value. Movies can teach us worthy lessons. Once, I posed the question, “Can we learn leadership from a movie?”1 Modern movies, however, disappoint … and I’m sure most of us would agree. I am convinced that some of the best… Read More »
[March 26, 2022] Much of what we do as leaders involve the mundane, necessary affairs to accomplish important goals. Leadership means having an end-game, whether by policy, edict, or influence. That is why a leader’s vision is crucial. The very best leaders are clear about what they want to accomplish and layout the steps to get there, the… Read More »
[March 25, 2022] For a long time now, there has been a developing trend feared by senior leaders in the U.S. military. That fear is that those new to our nation’s military are more likely to lie than others who preceded them. From what we see, young men and women are more willing to lie today than ever… Read More »
[March 23, 2022] Here is a philosophy of life I recently heard verbalized by a radio disc jockey. “Do as much good as you can, as best you can.” We will find stories about this same idea from ancient philosophers and biblical figures; we call it discipline1. Without discipline, you will fail. The idea of discipline, and I… Read More »