Blogs for your consideration...

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...

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...

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...

Within my first 24 months of transferring to my new branch, I was charged with overseeing a command-directed investigation. Allegations were made against a very senior NCO and some of those allegations were substantiated. Following the CDI, the NCO had to be on “good behavior” for fear of negative f...

“It’s lonely at the top” is a common sentiment across many facets of leadership. Humans aren’t meant to be alone—we thrive in community. It’s one of the traits that allows us to make progress. When we are lonely, we feel disconnected, sad, or insecure. As leaders—more specifically officers—progress ...

At the tactical and operational levels, today’s military force lives in a constant state of tension. The best-laid plans—innovation sprints, professional development goals, modernization roadmaps—can evaporate the moment a new problem drops from above. Strategic leaders pass down challenges (or, mor...

Just because something has been a certain way for some time doesn’t make it the best way. At every turn, the environment, political scene, or latest innovation impacts the variables surrounding the relativity of “best.” This conundrum doubles down when personalities, budgets, and adversarial changes...

No one likes to be threatened—physically, emotionally, or professionally. It’s bad leadership and bad business. Ultimatums are often disguised as choices, but in reality they present a single outcome at the expense of something significant. Do this or else.

If you report this safety violation, I’ll...

People want to know what’s going on. Unfortunately, in the military, knowing the “why” is not always possible. Whether due to urgency, national security, or lack of perspective, military members at varying levels will not know everything. A young private probably won’t know why they need to conduct ...

I often find myself torn between amusement and disappointment when a “leader” appears just in time for the spotlight.

A high-ranking officer materializes during a major inspection. A camera is poised to capture a soldier in action. A microphone is conveniently available. And suddenly, someone who w...

Time and again, grumbles can be heard and felt whenever required group development is scheduled that is outside of normal operations. Whether the requirement is meant to build unit cohesion, improve physical fitness, or just inspire a competitive spirit, the initial reaction of most military members...