[May 31, 2026] Call me crazy, but I’d swim any day with snakes in a river, as opposed to swimming with alligators. City folks might not understand why, so I’ll explain what I mean. But first, remember this rule: to swim with snakes, not with alligators.
Snakes are just trying to swim and won’t bother you because they’re going from one point to another. Alligators, on the other hand, are cruising that same river for a meal. And you don’t want to be that meal.
As kids, we used to say, “Swimming with snakes is okay.” But “swimming with alligators means you’re chomp chomp.” Get it? This is all about knowing where you are and who you’re around, knowing the game, and acting properly. Like a comedian who can read the audience, you just gotta know your environment. Success will follow.
The time my military driver and I rolled up on an Iraqi Army checkpoint, we had about a dozen or so guns pointed at us. I wasn’t nervous, but I understood that just being a military ally didn’t mean they wouldn’t shoot me if I moved quickly and unexpectedly. I read the environment correctly and backed away, despite having legal access to what they were guarding.
I knew from this incident that it’s one thing to exercise discretion, it’s another to be right and dead. I chose discretion. A Filipino civilian later that same day would learn the hard way with a gunshot to the gut. Those with the guns were the alligators, and I wasn’t going to swim in their territory.
On another day, these same Iraqi soldiers with their guns might be snakes in the river. I had to learn the difference, read the environment, and act appropriately. Read it wrong and bang, you’re dead.
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Please read my books:
- “55 Rules for a Good Life,” on Amazon (link here).
- “Our Longest Year in Iraq,” on Amazon (link here).
Gen. Satterfield, you da man. I love the metaphoric discussion of learning to ‘see’ the environment around you.
Appreciate your breakdown of the metaphor. Spot-on analysis of environmental awareness in leadership. Discretion at the checkpoint exemplifies wise risk assessment. Alligators as hidden threats rings true for conservative caution. Respecting snakes promotes practical self-reliance. Reading situations prevents avoidable failures. Your comment, Eye Cat, captures the article’s core lesson effectively. Thanks for reinforcing character-driven decision making.
Thank you Idiot Savant for the thoughtful comment. The metaphor highlights choosing battles wisely in leadership. Discretion and awareness are indeed vital. Glad the lesson resonated with you.
Another classic from Gen. Satterfield. Great article on leadership awareness. His snake vs. alligator metaphor is spot on. Knowing your environment prevents unnecessary risks. Discretion saved you at the checkpoint. Reading situations correctly is key to survival and success. Alligators represent hidden dangers. Snakes are neutral if respected. Thanks for the insightful lesson.