When examining why the US and her coalition partners lose modern wars, I frequently talk about our inattention and lack of professional skills involving human interaction. We crave focusing on combat and lethality — lethality is important and sexy, but it’s not trump, nor is it the crucial area of…
BLUF: We were the Insurgents
Earlier today Edward N Luttwak wrote an opinion piece How the CIA Lets America Down at the Wall Street Journal. …
Life.
Since my brother Eric passed in Oct (2021) I’ve experienced the full array of grieving stages. As many know, it’s a constant cycle, smashing from one thought and emotion to another. I’ve stared at his tools, knowing he was the last guy who touched them, he’s right there, yet…
Rose Ekman — Almost a Sophomore
A lot of my family is Mormon. Thus, we’ve got the genealogy bug. The endeavor also compels my mom, though she’s not of that faith. Ever the sleuth, she LOVES the hobby, sewing together bits, and pieces, making small leaps that reveal more of…
Go Dodgers
In March of 1994, my brother Eric and I left for the military at almost the same time. It was a crazy coincidence because he’s 5 ½ years younger than me…we arrived at the decision to enlist from completely different paths. I went to college first and couldn’t…
Not on the Way to Anywhere
There are wonders in a land called Big Bend Park in Texas.
I am on my 2nd road trip in two weeks. Currently, I am Air BnBing at Tarantula Ranch just outside of Big Bend National Park in Texas. On the advice of my new friend Curt (who runs Tarantula…
On June 30th 2021, the Pasadena police department confirmed an active sexual assault criminal investigation of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer. Within days the Dodgers began erasing the team’s attachment to the pitcher. MLB began their own investigation and placed the pitcher on paid administrative leave.
MLB continues to…
I thought I’d jump into the great Afghanistan conversation with a few rules, lenses, and maxims I developed while deployed to Iraq and AFG. This is a hasty monograph; I reserve the right to expand and evolve later.
Fair warning, my first passes on topics usually reveals how much of…
“… we cannot completely abandon Afghanistan. It would be a disservice to our troops, to our Afghan partners and, most important, it would not be in the U.S. national interest.” — Robert Gates NY Times Op-ed.
Updated — I submitted this response to Secretary Robert Gates’ OpEd, to the New…
Every year on my birthday, I write a little something to check in and express my gratitude for everyone’s support and love. Today’s been a bittersweet day. Turning 51 is fine…I’m fortunate to have so many people I love and cherish share a message, a thoughtful note, or a quick…
