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...
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...
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...
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 ...
If you’re lucky, you have parents, teachers, and guidance counselors guiding you through high school and helping you prepare for a relatively smooth transition into adulthood. Adulthood itself comes in many forms—entering the civilian workforce, attending college, or raising your right hand and join...
In the early stages of a military career, promotions tend to feel straightforward. Whether enlisted or officer, the first few advancements often follow a fairly predictable path. As long as a service member stays out of serious trouble—avoiding the obvious career killers like lying, cheating, or ste...
