Of history, warfare, leadership, and alcohol
A recently discovered letter from a Massachusetts militiaman in the Continental Army reveals what life was like for the brave men fighting in the American Revolution. The letter is presented here in its original form, with the lower case "s" appearing as it would have at the time since the tendency was to put a …
"Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be. But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy." - John Adams, Speech to the U.S. House of Representatives on Foreign Policy (July 4, 1821) Monsters. For the Clinton administration, it …
Continue reading "In Search of Monsters to Destroy: The Trump Administration and Iran"
This is an excerpt from First Order Center for Lessons Learned Publication, Light Infantry Operations in Forested Terrain and Treatment of Indigenous Peoples. Scene: Imperial stormtroopers are seated in rows of benches as a hologram of the Forest Moon of Endor looms over them. Their company commander steps forward to begin the briefing. Captain: "Listen up, troopers, …
Continue reading "Mandatory Briefings: the Imperial Edition"
With Thanksgiving coming up this week - and your imminent return home to see your dear beloved family with whom you have not visited since the recent election - we here at Angry Staff Officer thought you might enjoy a short reprieve before you are forced to have an actual face-to-face discussion about politics with …
Continue reading "5 Common Things Military Servicemembers Do that Only Make Sense to Them"
“I approve of all methods of attacking provided they are directed at the point where the enemy’s army is weakest and where the terrain favors them the least.” - Frederick the Great The Battle for Mosul is now just about one month old, as Iraqi Security Forces - bolstered by Coalition air and artillery support …
Continue reading "Combined Arms Breaching: From Helm’s Deep to Mosul"
It’s Veterans Day. Which means a proliferation of “thank you for your service” posts across social media from civilians which will be matched by the “I’m so special that you can’t understand my service,” posts from some – not all – veterans. This is what experts would say is indicative of the civilian-military divide that has …
Continue reading "What can Fallout 4 Teach us About Veterans Day?"
When I think of the six warfighting functions I always think of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. What, you don't? Let’s be honest, one does not immediately think of fantasy or science fiction when conversations turn to Army doctrine. Most vignettes that are used to make the subject understandable to the lowly minds of …
Continue reading "Warfighter: Middle Earth"
Today’s guest post comes from writer David Bruns. David is a former US Navy submarine officer turned corporate executive turned science fiction writer. In his spare time, he co-authors contemporary thrillers with retired naval intel officer, JR Olson. They write stories based on current events that seem less like fiction every time they read the news. …
Continue reading "Writing a Novel about Terrorism: When Fiction Becomes Reality"
Today’s guest post comes from Barefoot Boomer. Boomer is a career Army officer and strategist. He is also a historian with an emphasis in American and German military history. The content and opinions of this article are the author’s only and do not reflect the opinions of the United States Army or the Department of Defense. The …
Continue reading "How the Current Generation Is Dishonoring the Greatest Generation"
I sat down on the chair across from my grandpa’s wheelchair. Grandpa was 97. He was smaller, more stooped than he had been, but the eyes were the same: alert, focused, interested. His hands, rested on the arms of the wheelchair, were those of a man who had spent his life working. He had just …
Continue reading "A Life Well-Lived: Memorial to my Grandfather"
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