Blogs for your consideration...
Over 20 years' worth of observations, recommendations, and considerations on life, family, and the military lie within these narratives. Cheers!
One of the luxuries of moving every two to four years on active duty is that you get a new boss regularly. Either you move or they move. If you loved your past boss, you have a mentor for life. If you don’t love them, it’s only a matter of time before a new one gets cycled through and you can move o...
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...
I’m not much of a video gamer under any circumstance. But after watching my family enjoy themselves across a variety of dynamic and first-person shooter games, I have concluded that the military is pretty much a live-action version of those games. The military requires its members to continually lev...
The military is a high-paced, ever-changing entity that values precision and agility. When mistakes do occur, corrective action needs to take place, and improvements made. At basic training, I recall drill sergeants scolding soldiers for not properly shining their boots to a lustrous black and for n...
It is both fascinating and disappointing to hear leaders tout the importance of work-life balance and, yet, they call or text you for the most unimportant things during non-business hours. As an active-duty member, where you are literally on call 24/7, it is hard to ask your boss to stop calling dur...
Leaders must know their people. They need to understand what makes them tick and what makes them irritable. Leaders need to understand the normal disposition of those they trust in order to communicate effectively and get results. Additionally, leaders need to listen to their intuition when somethin...
“So, what do you do here?” a big-wig, high ranking Army general officer asked a captain while doing a walk-about down range in Iraq.
“I’m just a PA (physician assistant),” she responded flatly.
My ears piercingly rang at the self-deprecating tone I heard. My heart sank at the thought of the PA not...
No matter how much training is given or case studies are discussed, military members from all backgrounds frequently forget that they willingly relinquished their freedom of speech and expression when they took their oath to the Constitution. From the youngest private to the most seasoned colonel, p...
The standards of the military are high and, sometimes, mysterious. If you’re not within a certain weight, you can’t join. If you don’t score high enough on the ASVAB, you have limited jobs to choose from. The military ultimately tells you where to go. Both leaders and faceless entities decide if you...
People join the military for a variety of reasons. The military is full of opportunities and benefits, from free healthcare for those on active duty to traveling around the world. The military is rich in heritage and duty. Some people feel compelled to serve because there is a legacy of volunteerism...
Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a person who incessantly complained about a topic you were positive or neutral about and then you started chiming in with agreeable rhetoric? Misery loves company. In many ways, sharing in a common experience can bring people together. And other ti...
