Of history, warfare, leadership, and alcohol
The Army, specifically Fort Hood, has been in the spotlight due to the recent events surrounding the disappearance of PFC Vanessa Guillen—and it’s not going to change anytime soon. What we are seeing is the surfacing of the issues regarding consent, power dynamics, and the inability of junior and senior leaders to foster an …
Scene: Stormtrooper barracks in Nevarro City, as seen in "The Mandalorian." Sergeant TK-7831 walks in to address his squad. TK-7831: "Quiet down, this is an Imperial facility, not a Bantha-breeding ground." TK-9938: "Wait, how would you know what that is, sergeant?" TK-7831: "When you've been wearing armor as long as I have - wait, shut …
Continue reading "Stormtrooper Safety Brief"
Water rushes and curves around the rock where I happen to be sitting. Bits of fluff from the tree on the other side of the stream lightly ride the swell of air over the water. A butterfly lands, hesitantly, on my knee. All noise aside from that of the water fades into obscurity. This moment, …
Continue reading "Finding Peace for the Army Mind"
There were forty-two prisoners at final count, including the wounded. Doc was already treating the wounded as 3rd Platoon scoured the rest of the ship for any other boarders who might have escaped. Transports were coming over from Essex, carrying additional troops and more sensor equipment for hull scans. COMSEC was established and so information …
Continue reading "Finding Space – Chapter Thirteen"
Stay in the military long enough, and you'll gain rank. Rank comes with privileges and responsibilities. But it also comes with something else: something more dangerous. Ego. Now, one might say that if you're aiming to be a leader in the military then you're going to have ego anyways. People who strive for leadership positions …
Continue reading "Leader, Know Thyself"
I've put this off for a while now. It's as if putting it into words means that it's all real. Which I guess it is. On April 12 - Easter Sunday - my father died. Even now, a month on, that sentence makes little sense to me. Trying to write a remembrance for your father's …
Continue reading "Beans under a Carolina-Blue Sky: Remembering my Father"
Author's Note: This is a satirical article meant to highlight the absurdity of Russia’s reportedly low COVID-19 infection rate and it’s continued use of hybrid warfare in conflicts with its neighbors. After a frenzied 24 hours of military activity, President Vladimir Putin announced that the Russian military has sent assistance to the Baltic countries of …
Continue reading "Russian Military to Occupy Baltics to Prevent COVID-19 Infections"
While perusing Twitter, I saw this piece pop up: "Is #MilTwitter Worth It?" Since I often ask myself that same question, I clicked on the link and read the author's thoughts. He points out - rightly, in some cases - that Twitter can be a bit of dumpster fire. And MilTwitter an especially smelly dumpster …
Continue reading "Yes, #MilTwitter is Still Worthwhile"
I have been struggling with the concept of pain and grief of late, with my father's death in the midst of a global pandemic as a backdrop. It was a beautiful morning the day after he died, and that seemed somehow confusing to me - just as the spectacular blue skies on September 11, 2001 …
Continue reading "Incongruous"
My father passed on Easter Sunday. While I've found some solace through writing, there's just that feeling of wondering why the world goes on when yours has stopped. I wrote this poem to try to express how I feel. Hopefully it will help those also grieving in this time of pandemic. Why doesn't the whole …
Continue reading "Why doesn’t it"
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