[October 31, 2020] In the first half of twentieth-century America, boxing was one of the most popular sports; in popularity, number one tied with baseball. The fighters were some of the toughest and fastest people ever. As my ex-Drill Sergeant Bryant used to say, they were tough SOBs. Growing up, I got to meet many WWII and Korean… Read More »
[October 30, 2020] Military jargon permeates our society. Headspace and timing, though, is a technical term meaning to adjust weapon systems so they fire correctly. Usually used with the Browning .50 caliber heavy machinegun, adjusting headspace and timing is critical for its proper use. However, I will be using as jargon rather than technically. The U.S. Department of… 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 »
[October 25, 2020] Leaders are at their best when telling us about their vision and the ways and means to achieve that vision. Top-of-the-line leadership means being precise in what you say to avoid misunderstandings and to communicate your thinking. That is why highfalutin talk is not recommended; unless you are purposefully obscuring something of importance. I’m not… Read More »
[October 24, 2020] Sage counsel from all cultures and from across history, found in philosophical and religious texts, encourages us to not lie. What is so human is that we rarely chose to follow the advice. Dr. Jordan Peterson, professor from the University of Toronto, says that we should try to tell the truth, but at least don’t… Read More »
[October 23, 2020] The first commander I had after my commissioning as an Army Officer was a man who was a big talker. He would talk for hours about our unit, how he had grand plans for being the best in the army, and how much we would enjoy doing our jobs. I wrote about this commander before,… Read More »
[October 19, 2020] Walking my dog early this morning before the sun came up, I strolled by a car with a bumper sticker that read, ‘WAR is NOT the ANSWER.’ My dog smelled the tires, and we went on our way. Later, I got to thinking too many folks don’t understand or simply deny the reality of war,… Read More »
[October 17, 2020] Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic strip, once said that “Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.” I was counter by saying that “leadership” is knowing which ones to keep. Today’s article is about common weaknesses that we find in all people. In the study of human… Read More »
[October 16, 2020] Abolitionist John Brown raided the Federal Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (now West Virginia) on this date, October 16, 1859. A company of U. S. Marines, led by Colonel Robert E. Lee and Lieutenant J. E. B. Stuart, overran Brown and his followers. Brown was convicted of treason on November 2, 1859, and hanged on… Read More »
[October 15, 2020] Officers in the U.S. military are, at minimum, give annual evaluations that provide feedback on both their performance and potential. Evaluations are crucial to the career of the officer and impact future performance. Thus, when I received my very first evaluation, I was upset. It read, ‘You’re only average, 2LT Satterfield.’ I don’t particularly appreciate… Read More »