[August 29, 2026] The Wall Street Journal opinion posted Michael Pack’s “The Path to Zero” documentary earlier this week. It is a hard-hitting expose of the Biden Administration’s calamitous retreat from Afghanistan on the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing. At the end of the video, we see that Anthony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, General Mark Milley, and… Read More »
[August 23, 2026] Leaders who envision the future are called upon to offer a compelling vision, a method of achieving it, convince others that we can manage it, and that the future has some value. They especially have to know where they’re going. And, to confront that future requires faith and courage because we can never have all… Read More »
[August 19, 2026] The year I retired from the U.S. Army, I compiled two electronic books (Part 1 and Part 2) on leadership, listing 82 characteristics necessary to be a leader. Those “books” serve as a shorthand for leadership traits. Both are free, and I encourage you to download and use them as you see fit. The last… Read More »
[August 10, 2026] Here are 55 harsh truths about military service. They’re drawn from long-standing combat realities, veteran experience, leadership observations, and the gap between recruiting pitches and actual service. These are the ones that tend to hit hardest once the novelty wears off. Your weapon was made by the lowest bidder. Friendly fire isn’t. No plan survives… Read More »
[August 7, 2026] Welcome the unknown. The unknown is and will always be both a teacher and a source of growth. Confront life’s challenges and uncertainties voluntarily rather than clinging to rigid security. That is the road to being a better person, living your life to its fullest, and getting the most out of your life and those… Read More »
[August 1, 2026] The memoir of John Lewis Barkley was first published in 1930 as No Hard Feelings! (the title chosen by the publisher from an anecdote in the book). Barkley received the Medal of Honor for heroism during World War I, but we know little of him; and that is unfortunate for this hero. In his book,… Read More »
[July 17, 2026] Six years ago this month, I wrote an article titled 10 Major Reasons for Leadership Failure. I thought I’d taken a pretty good shot at identifying what are common traits among failed leaders; from personal experience. The response, at the time, was low and the article attracted almost zero attention. This article is another attempt,… Read More »
[July 14, 2026] Debt is a tragic pitfall, especially for those who wrestle with delayed gratification and an unhealthy desire to save face or project an image of success. In a world that constantly bombards us with temptations of instant pleasure and status symbols, voluntarily taking on debt, except in a few rare and carefully considered exceptions such… Read More »
[July 13, 2026] Since the earliest days of warfare, battle cries have cut through the din of hand-to-hand combat. When men stood toe-to-toe on ancient battlefields, they shouted not just to be heard, but to make sense of the chaos. These yells helped identify friend from foe, pass along urgent commands, and strike fear into the enemy. One… Read More »
[July 7, 2026] Italian actor Roberto Benigni once said, in all seriousness, “I thank my parents for the greatest gift of all: poverty.” He said this in his acceptance speech for the Best Actor Oscar in 1999 for Life is Beautiful (La vita è bella), referring to his humble upbringing in a small Italian village. Psychologically, the quote… Read More »