[December 7, 2020] December 7, 1941, at 7:53 a.m., Japanese warplanes attacked the U.S. Naval fleet at Pearl Harbor.1 Much has been written in America about the attack – the lessons learned from it and how a weaker yet innovative enemy can blindside a large and powerful nation. In a famous speech, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt declared the… Read More »
[December 4, 2020] The U.S. has experienced an anti-military ideology since the 1960s. This kind of thinking has become a key component of Progressive dogma. In the city of San Francisco, this line of Progressive thinking is strong. Recently, community leaders in San Francisco saved their JROTC program from school board members’ intent on removing the program. Those… Read More »
[December 3, 2020] A piece of sage counsel was given to me many decades ago. Sergeant First Class Owen Roberts said, “Sir, please allow me to give you some advice. Every order you give your men will create action, and every action they take will have consequences.” It took me years to figure out what he meant. He… Read More »
[December 2, 2020] Is this good advice? Of course, it is. The problem is that we generally ignore it. An old psychology professor I especially liked told me that we could analyze the human mind all our lives, but the easiest way to get to know a person’s heart is through a simple compliment. “Give me enough ribbons… Read More »
[December 1, 2020] Sixty-five years ago, the moral courage of Rosa Parks, a visionary for Civil Rights, helped write racial equality into the mind of all Americans. On this date in 1955, coming home from work, Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus to a white person. For that reason, she was arrested for… Read More »
[November 30, 2020] “I’m giving you an opportunity to excel.” The Infantry Battalion Commander welcomed me to his unit with dry wit and a bit mysteriously. A commander is a special duty, one of great trust and honor. This particular commander had a reputation for perfection and was very conscientious about doing his job correctly. A command selection… Read More »
[November 28, 2020] The hero’s journey is a common template of stories that involve a hero who goes on an adventure, is victorious in a decisive crisis, and comes home changed or transformed.1 Hugh O’Flaherty, a Roman Catholic monsignor, fits that mold. Monsignor O’Flaherty is a hero for saving the lives of thousands of Allied POWs and Jews… Read More »
[November 26, 2020] The study of war is something that I do. The majority of my studies and articles I’ve written are about the “how” to conduct war. However, two crucial questions arise; what causes war, and what can we do about ending war. In this article, I will discuss U.S. President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen-Points to end all… Read More »
[November 25, 2020] My best Italian friend goes by the name Marco Polo. He’s a real go-getter, Vietnam veteran, and family man. In Vietnam, he was with the 1/4th U.S. Marines. Their motto, Whatever it Takes. In a nutshell, that describes the U.S. Marine Corps and my friend Marco. His life’s story should someday be a book. If… Read More »
[November 24, 2020] While writing an article yesterday on Good Sense, I was simultaneously thinking about the issue of morality and its impact on leadership. A host of questions sprung up that I was not prepared to answer. I will address one of the crucial questions here today. Leaders are granted certain powers and responsibilities. If we were… Read More »