Blogs for your consideration...
Over 20 years' worth of observations, recommendations, and considerations on life, family, and the military lie within these narratives. Cheers!
Wasting time is a travesty. Wasting time in a meeting that could have been solved with an email, a read-ahead, or even a single sentence explaining the objective should be a professional sin. Most leaders say they hate meetings, and I agree. But I find the hatred usually isn't directed at the meetin...
In my opinion, every retiring officer and NCO should be able to walk away from the military with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in their hands. In addition to running daily operations (which are not projects), military leaders organize, coordinate, and supervise countless proj...
There aren’t many opportunities for individual expression in the military. Why would there be? At its core, the military is a team sport. Everyone wears the same uniform. Everyone lives by the same code of conduct. Everyone understands their responsibility to something larger than themselves. Across...
On the first day of basic training, I arrived at Ft. Leonard Wood alongside hundreds of other individuals. By graduation, we left as collective soldiers. That transformation didn’t happen by luck or policy. Every person who committed to the process agreed to be indoctrinated into a time-honored cult...
Today is a day to remember, a day for those whose blank check to destiny was cashed. On Memorial Day, we pause to recognize those who died in the line of duty. Those who died while training, those who died while going about their daily business on a normal day while on the clock, and those who died ...
From the way we march to the names of military installations, the military is deeply rooted in tradition. Since our nation’s founding, these time-tested practices have been used to build teamwork, reinforce purpose, and create a strong sense of belonging.
I still remember singing the Dog-Faced Sold...
When I visit schools, I’m often asked what skills are needed to succeed in the military. Without even thinking about it, I always come back to teamwork. Nothing of significance in the military is accomplished alone. It doesn’t matter the branch, rank, status, or job; success depends on people workin...
One of my professional mottos that I say often (and genuinely try to live by) is, “I hate everyone equally.”
Yeah, I know. It sounds negative and a little off-putting. But for me, it’s actually more realistic than saying, “I like everyone equally.” That would be a stretch.
What I really mean is th...
Ask ten service members at different points in their careers how they balance operational and garrison requirements and you’ll likely get ten different answers. For many, deployments represent the purest version of military service; the chance to finally do the job they trained for, focus on the mis...
At every major point in your military career, you need to pause and reassess. Does serving still make sense for you right now? What skills are you actually gaining along the way? How will your next move impact your family? Promotions, new duty stations, and exciting opportunities can look great on p...
The priorities of leaders can shift as quickly as the economy, the political climate, or an unexpected crisis. Much like waves that change shape with the moon, wind, or even a small pebble tossed into the water, the military continuously adjusts in response to forces beyond its control. For junior s...
