Author Archives: Douglas R. Satterfield
[March 7, 2022] It was a dark September night at Fort Benning, GA, as our platoon of new lieutenants moved out on a new training mission. We were headed deep into the bush to test our newly acquired leadership skills and measure our resilience. I was paired with a lieutenant from Chicago; he had the worst traits a… Read More »
[March 6, 2022] My wife yelled over to me yesterday and said, “Hey, take a look at this guy!” I was working on an article for a local newspaper (on how military veterans are treated). I stopped typing to listen to her. “This guy Dan Ball has a show on OANN called Hungry Heroes; you might want to… Read More »
[March 5, 2022] There are times when doing the right thing – doing what is moral and honorable – is unpopular. I found myself and those I served with on the end of such unpopular opinions while deployed in the Iraq War.1 Politicians, Hollywood actors, journalists, and other uninformed folks, regularly dismissed our efforts as foolhardy and evil. … Read More »
[March 4, 2022] As many daily readers have noticed, I took time out from my leadership blog for the past few days. This is rare, but in this case, necessary, as I needed special medical care requiring several days of attention. I did have time to catch up on the news and think about the conflict in Ukraine. … Read More »
[February 27, 2022] The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has not gone well. The reason is simple: courage on the part of the Ukrainian people. Ordinary soldiers and citizens are fighting the Russian juggernaut with unexpected tenacity. This is a genuine David and Goliath story unfolding right before our eyes. A few personal observations: Russia caught the world… Read More »
[February 25, 2022] Sometimes, I find something that just interests me. An archeological article came out last year that suggested that during the A.D. 79 Mount Vesuvius eruption, a Roman Soldier was on the Herculaneum beach as part of a major rescue effort. We know that a rescue mission was undertaken by naval commander Pliny, the Elder. Pliny’s… Read More »
[February 24, 2022] The ancient Greeks were advocates of great leadership but, like love, they found it an illusive idea that defied their ability to fully understand it. It follows, that in our modern times, for us to improve our leadership capabilities, we should also admit to those same special challenges. We can make advances to understand better… Read More »
[February 23, 2022] I’m a fan of Theodore Roosevelt and his success as a great political leader, statesman, and historian. Although he didn’t say it, I’m sure Roosevelt would agree with William Shakespeare’s words that cowards die a thousand times before their final death.1,2 Roosevelt was a real man – a man’s man – very much unlike so… Read More »
[February 22, 2022] I was on “Veterans Talk”1 at KDWN 720AM/101.5FM radio this past Saturday. The show’s theme was based on the question, Is Patriotism Dead? Not to give away too much, but I argue that American patriotism is not dead, and I list the reasons why. The interview format worked well as the dialogue flowed – mostly… 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 »