[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 »
[September 2, 2020] Drill Sergeant Bryant was about making good people better.1 I remember his voice in my head even today, and his favorite comment was ‘You’re not good enough, PVT Satterfield.’ It was his way of motivating both me and my platoon to do better. Bryant was the old fashioned type of Drill Sergeant. He was a… Read More »
[July 14, 2020] The best thing that ever happened during my military training was to experience immediate feedback on whatever I did. At the beginning of my career, I was first insulted, then shocked, and then mad that someone would tell me how wrong I was. Later, I changed. I came to welcome the clarity of instant feedback,… Read More »
[June 20, 2020] American Legion Magazine in its July 2020 edition, highlights drawings of Ugo Giannini of Trenton, New Jersey. Participating in the D-Day landings on June 6, 1944, Ugo was haunted by the memories of that terrible day and found that his art could help his healing. His wife, Maxine, researched Ugo’s journey, traveled to France, talked… Read More »
[June 12, 2020] It seems that young men are always looking for adventure, making a few dollars to spend on the weekend and a way to get out of their parent’s home. It was that way, and my first job after turning 18 was working on the Missouri-Illinois Railroad.1 It was my first “real” job; full-time and regular… Read More »
[April 30, 2020] “Boogie down” and “10-4, good buddy” are slang from the 70s and 80s. It sure is hard to forget them. There were four classic Vietnam War noir films from that era that also helped shape our culture, understanding of the war, and the American way of life. Drenched with atmosphere, suspense, and horror, these four… Read More »
[April 24, 2020] Leadership means going into dark places no one wants to see. Those are the places where one must go if we are to succeed and where fear is greatest, but also where the brave dwell. That is the mark of a real leader, one who summons the courage to go places others surely fear. An… Read More »
[April 9, 2020] Growing up in a community with many military veterans, I developed an interest in military history. The many stories told by these veterans fascinated me; a little boy from a town that didn’t have a traffic light, and the highlight of the weekend was a local dance. Maybe that is why I also came to… Read More »
[April 8, 2020] It is a long-held belief that war brings out both the best and worst in people. For those of us who experience combat, most would readily agree. However, war is certainly not the only thing that brings out the best and worst; all large-scale events have similar outcomes on people. I have found that people… Read More »
[March 26, 2020] It has been said that among the most important lessons of history is that we do not learn very much from the lessons of history. On July 3, 1990, I was standing at the Copse of Trees on the Gettysburg Historical Battlefield with several U.S. Army officers. We were part of a Staff Ride to… Read More »