Category: Military Lifehack

“…should I draw you the picture of my Heart, it would be what I hope you still would Love; tho it containd nothing New; the early possession you obtained there; and the absolute power you have ever mantaindover it; leaves not the smallest space unoccupied. I look back to the early days of our acquaintance; and Friendship, as to the days of Love and Innocence; and with an undiscribable pleasure I have seen near a score of years roll over our Heads, with an affection heightned and improved by time — nor have the dreary years of absence in the…

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“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.” — Winston Churchill             Memorial Day in the United States is one of those holidays (last Monday in May) that people who have not served in the military do not know how to celebrate.  It is easy to honor veterans (Veteran’s Day 11 November) through simple appreciation via words of gratitude or providing them a discount for a lunch.  There is a holiday for our active duty service members (Armed Forces Day third Saturday in May) that most people do…

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“Examine what is said and not who speaks.”  — African Proverb Feedback fuels successful organizations and teams as it is the lubricant that keeps processes at peak performance.  Conversations, either formal or informal, regarding team performance can happen at any time but its criticality is vital with the honest and free flow of information, either perceived or actual, to a team or organization’s success.  True leaders at all levels must position themselves such that there is an open flow of communication to them with previous events, current situation, or what is to come.  We tend to focus on the feedback…

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Thanks to my reading, I have never been caught flat-footed by any situation, never at a loss for how any problem has been addressed (successfully or unsuccessfully) before. It doesn’t give me all the answers, but it lights what is often a dark path ahead. — General James “Maddog” Mattis, 2003 To quote Edwin Starr from his song War, “War, huh, yeah / What is it good for?”  Well that may be obvious to some but to others it is not self-evident; it is a necessary evil to ensure security. Let’s change the quote to:  “Reading, huh, yeah / What…

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“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, you more places you will go.” –Dr. Suess     What if I told you that you could take part in an experience without ever having lived it yourself? Reading can help you do just that. Want to know what all leaders have in common? They read—and read voraciously. Reading is how you thrive and survive in today’s military. However, in recent times, young officers (and enlisted alike) are putting less importance on professionally developing through reading. Ret. General Mattis, in an email to his troops…

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Let’s do something different….  I need you to watch a video. Bruce delivers great advice.  Empty your mind.  Be formless, shapeless, like water.  You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup.  You put it in a bottle, it becomes the bottle.  You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.     Now water can flow or it can crash.  Be water, my friend. “Being like water” can help you apply new tactics in a rapidly changing battle space.  It can help you land a fulfilling job after you leave the military.  And it can help you find…

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“Agility, iteration of planning and transformational thinking are all key to avoiding the fate of the armchair general.”  –Sue Unerman Don’t be an Armchair General Philosophers, journalists, and revolutionaries throughout time have always commented on or shifted public opinion regarding military actions and operations.  Because of the political, economic, and strategic impacts military operations have on the society, these groups function as a bulwark against actual and perceived military failures.  National strength and pride underpin their actions ensuring the right actions are taken to keep insecurities hidden in the societal zeitgeist and instead highlight the message they want to convey…

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“No man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master.” Ben Jonson (British Playwright and Poet, 1572-1637) Seeking wise counsel has made all the difference during my military service; although, it hasn’t always been easy. I have learned the importance of finding the right advisor for the situation, using discernment to understand which advice is worth taking, and finally, having the humility to listen when the counsel takes me outside my comfort zone. Mentoring, coaching, and counseling are…

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