Category: Leadership
ep 110: Eisenhower’s Warning
In his farewell address to the nation on January 17, 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered a prophetic warning that has since become one of American history's most cited and influential speeches. This speech, often referred to as the "Eisenhower Farewell Address," addressed a range of critical issues facing the United States, but its most…
ep 109: Arminius
Arminius, also known as Hermann the German, was a Germanic warrior and chieftain who played a crucial role in the early first century AD in the region that is now modern-day Germany. He is best known for his leadership of the Germanic tribes against the Roman legions during the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest, a…
ep 108: The Seven Days
The American Civil War was a pivotal moment in history, with the Confederacy battling the Union for its very existence. In the summer of 1862, during the Seven Days Battle, General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate forces came tantalizingly close to turning the tide of the war in their favor. Indeed, the Confederates almost…
ep 107: Augustus Caesar
Augustus Caesar, also known as Octavian, was a pivotal figure in ancient Rome. His reign as the first emperor of Rome was a transformative period in history. His political reforms, cultural patronage, and long-lasting peace left an indelible mark on the Roman Empire, shaping Western civilization for centuries. Augustus Caesar was born on September 23,…
ep 106: Marcus Agrippa
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa was born in 63 BC in a small town near Rome. He came from a humble background, but his talents and determination propelled him to great heights. Agrippa was known for his military expertise, exceptional organizational skills, and unwavering loyalty to Augustus. These qualities made him an indispensable companion to the future…
105. Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar, born Gaius Julius Caesar, was a prominent Roman statesman, military general, and dictator who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire. Born on July 12, 100 BC, in Rome, Caesar rose to power during a time of political turmoil and instability, leaving an indelible mark on Roman…
Right Again!
The RAND Corporation recently released a report on a nationally representative survey of the U.S. veteran community entitled Prevalence of Veteran Support for Extremist Groups and Extremist Beliefs. The report concluded that [t]here was no evidence to support the notion that the veteran community, as a whole, manifests higher rates of support for violent extremist groups or extremist…
ep 103: Pompey
Pompey, also known as Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, was a Roman general and politician who lived during the late Roman Republic. He was born in 106 BC in Picenum, a region in central Italy, and he died in 48 BC in Egypt. Pompey's military career began at an early age. He served in the Roman army…
ep 102: Gaius Marius
Gaius Marius was a prominent Roman general and statesman who played a pivotal role in transforming the Roman Republic into an empire. He was born in Cereatae into a plebeian family, which meant that he was not of noble birth. However, Marius rose to prominence through his military prowess and political savvy, ultimately becoming one…
ep 101: Scipio Africanus
Scipio Africanus was one of the most outstanding military leaders in ancient history. Born in 236 BC in Rome, Scipio came from a noble family of the Roman Republic. He was the son of Publius Scipio, a distinguished general who had fought in the First Punic War against Carthage. Scipio's early years were marked by…
ep 99: Hannibal
Hannibal Barca (247-183/182 BC) was a Carthaginian general and statesman who is widely regarded as one of the greatest military strategists and tacticians in history. He is most famous for leading an army across the Alps into Italy during the Second Punic War (218-201 BC), where he won a series of spectacular victories against the…
ep 98. Alexander the Great
As a young boy, Alexander of Macedonia was tutored by the famous philosopher Aristotle, who spurred his interest in a range of subjects, including philosophy, politics, and science. Alexander showed great intelligence and a thirst for knowledge, serving him well in his later conquests. When his father was assassinated in 336 BC, Alexander became king…
ep 96: Sun Tzu
Sun Tzu was a legendary military strategist who lived during the Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. He was a native of the state of Wu, and his teachings on warfare, strategy, and leadership would go on to influence military leaders for centuries to come. As a young man, Sun Tzu was already known…
ep 95. Leonidas of Sparta
Leonidas of Sparta was a legendary figure in ancient Greek history, known for his bravery and leadership during one of the most famous battles in history, the Battle of Thermopylae. He was born into the Agiad dynasty, one of the two ruling dynasties of the Spartan city-state. He was the son of Anaxandridas II and…
ep 94: The Tomb of the Known Soldier
Lt Michael J. Blassie was a United States Air Force pilot who was shot down and killed during the Vietnam War. His remains were initially listed as "unidentified." They were interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery by President Ronald Regan in 1984 as part of a group of remains…
ep 93: Christmas in Wartime
Christmas has always been an important holiday in the U.S., but it took on a special meaning during World War II (1941-45) because so many families had loved ones serving in the armed forces that they could not return home for Christmas. Although the Second World War did not have holidays, Americans at home and…
ep 91: Censored!
IN THE NEWS: YouTube censors TDP; Family sues Army over Fort Hood daughter's death; Bonnie Dick sailor acquitted; Maveric's Dark Star steals the show at Edwards; Ukraine meme war; Elon Musk wants DoD to pay for Starlink in Ukraine; Mad cow military can give blood; Selective service says biological men are men; Space Force has…
ep 88: Space Isn’t New
IN THE NEWS with guest co-host Christof Ambrosch! VA makes PACT Act conditions presumptive and accepting claims; Ukraine's Zelensky talks war with Jimmy Fallon; While the parliament gives themselves a 70% raise; Pentagon OKs Novavax for COVID19, Civilian Protection Center of Excellence and limiting war casualties; Space is not new; Space Flag and on-orbit combat…
87. Winning Battles, Losing Wars
Among the basic distinctions in warfare is the difference between tactics and strategy. Tactics deal with the form of individual engagement, while strategy deals with its use. So, tactics are the operational techniques military units employ to win battles. Strategy addresses the broader political objectives for which a war is fought and the ends, ways,…
ep 86: The Weasel
In this special episode, we're discussing General Milley's resignation letter to the President that he never sent, deciding instead to work against the Commander-in-Chief from the inside. Military members have a duty to be loyal to the service and the officers appointed over them. Military officers can be punished under the Uniformed Code of Military…
ep 85: Hardcore Mode
IN THE NEWS: We bid farewell to three icons--CMSAF #6, James McCoy; Lt Uhura, Nichelle Nicols; and Dodger's announcer, Vin Scully--Godspeed; Pentagon phone wiping, but it's not what you think; No national guard for DC Mayor Bowser to help with her illegal alien crisis; Space Force ‘ambassadors’--is that even a thing? ; Air Force joint…
ep 83: Pronouns
IN THE NEWS: Navy targets pronouns while China launches new carrier; Turns out West Point is teaching woke; Rep Matt Gaetz fighting DEI in the military; Woke military struggles with recruiting; Congress tells Space Force to slow down; Air Force "leaders" discourage gender-specific pronouns in award citations; Competition to replace the Army's Bradley is underway;…
ep 82: Talk To Me Goose!
By now, just about everyone has seen Tom Cruise’s blockbuster movie, “Top Gun: Maverick”...so why are we talking about it? Well, for one thing, it’s “us,” and another is it’s a damn good movie! So if you’re one of the few who have not seen this movie and you’re worried about spoilers in this podcast,…
ep 81: Mission First?
IN THE NEWS: Fast-mover-slow-mover collision story; If the Ukraine war is destined to be a stalemate, why are we fighting?; 500 GI Jab lawsuit; The real home-grown terrorists; Space Force is just misunderstood; also, Space Force is LIT; Air Force changes to dress and appearance standards would make General Olds smile; Navy approves beards for…
ep 80: The Red Knight of Germany
We all know The Red Baron as Snoopy's unseen arch-enemy who shot his Sopwith Camel doghouse out of the sky untold times in the Peanuts cartoons. But the actual man was much more than the caricature painted by Charles Schultz! Although Baron Manfred von Richthofen was only involved in World War I's air war for…