Letters to My Granddaughter, No. 39

By | November 27, 2023

[November 27, 2023] Bonnie was my first “girlfriend.”  I was six years old, and now as I look back from many decades and a number of girlfriends later, I didn’t actually know what having a girlfriend meant.  Some folks will say it’s not possible for a boy to have a girlfriend so young when he is immature, unfocused,… Read More »

Small Things Matter

By | November 26, 2023

[November 26, 2023]  The growth of violent crime in many American cities has been in the news lately, a surprising change to a prolonged decline in crime.  There are many theories as to why.  One explanation, however, is that the leaders of those cities have failed to fix the small things.  The lesson?  Small things matter. Years ago,… Read More »

After the Victory

By | November 24, 2023

[November 24, 2023]  In 1868, former U.S. Army General Ulysses S Grant was elected president to an office that bore witness to national divisiveness over the aftermath of the great U.S. Civil War that ended only a few years before.  While Grant is best known for his generalship during that war, what he did after the victory made… Read More »

Refreshing, Witty Comedian Matt Rife

By | November 22, 2023

[November 22, 2023]  I love comedy because it simply makes me laugh.  A “new” comedian has come on strong over the past few years, and that guy is Matt Rife.  He’s young, energetic, exciting, insulting, and very very funny.  You will not regret listening to him. Matt Rife pokes at the edges of personal relationships, makes fun of… Read More »

When Israel’s War is Over with Hamas

By | November 20, 2023

[November 20, 2023]  The question that has haunted modern armies since the beginning of the 19th century is what happens when war ends.  And Israel is undoubtedly asking that question of themselves.  The first and most important question they are asking themselves is whether they should occupy Gaza or pull out. Germany and Japan, at the end of… Read More »

I was Given a Letter of Reprimand

By | November 19, 2023

[November 19, 2023]  It was a red-letter day.  On March 17, 2008, I took command of a Brigade in a U.S.-based unit.  Brigade is the level of command that truly separates the best from the very best.  The change of command was terrific, with hundreds of soldiers, mentors, family, and friends present.  Immediately after I sat down with… Read More »

Is the U.S. Army Rejecting Wokeism?

By | November 18, 2023

[November 18, 2023]  Are the U.S. Army senior brass finally waking up from their Woke Nightmare?  Nope!  But we are beginning to see that there might be some adults in the ranks of the political generals of America’s military services.  Last week, the Army released a recruiting ad that dumps the diversity, equity, and inclusion DEI narrative so… Read More »