JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig

JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig

Follow JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

This is the podcast of the Joint Advanced Warfighting School (JAWS), a joint war college part of National Defense University. Join us monthly for elite discussions on war, history, theory, strategy, and current national strategy and security concerns.

Jon Mikolashek and Craig Smith


    • Apr 19, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 24m AVG DURATION
    • 39 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig

    The Midnight Podcast of Paul Revere

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 28:32


    The Elite Ones return from the Pacific to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's Midnight Ride and the start of the American Revolution.*The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

    The World Is One Family: Putting the INDO back in INDOPACOM

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 24:32


    The elite COL Shivesh Singh from the Indian Army sits down to discuss his article on India's role in INDOPACOM. *The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

    The Swedish Exercise: JAWS and SeDU

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 32:17


    The Elite duo discuss Sweden, their first year in NATO, and even hockey during the JAWS/Swedish Defence University exercise. Diana Nilsson and CDR Andreas Forsman are special guests.*The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

    The Swedish Exercise: JAWS and SeDU

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 32:17


    The Elite Duo discuss Sweden, their first year in NATO, and even hockey during the JAWS and Swedish Defence University Exercise. Special Guests are SeDU's very own Diana Nilsson and CDR Andreas Forsman.*The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, any commercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products or services. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of the linked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

    The Greatest 0-6 Ever!!!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2025 31:48


    Craig finally discusses his hero, his icon, his one true passion: Tom Cruise. The Elite Duo discuss the movie stars role in shaping how the military is viewed by the general public and how his movies have helped recruitment.*The views and opinions presented herein are those of the author and do not necessarilyrepresent the views of DoD or its Components. Appearance of, or reference to, anycommercial products or services does not constitute DoD endorsement of those products orservices. The appearance of external hyperlinks does not constitute DoD endorsement of thelinked websites, or the information, products or services therein.

    President's Day Spectacular

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2025 22:26


    Craig and Jon discuss the history of President's Day and unveil their top five greatest Presidents list.

    What is a Warfighter?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2025 25:22


    Special Guest COL Dan Sukman returns to discuss the origins and rise of what it means to be a Warfighter.

    The Haiti Mission or Something Something John Manza

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 30:08


    The Elite Ones discuss the Haiti Mission under the leadership of the one and only John Manza. Col. Jordan Walzer joins the pod as a special guest to discuss his role and Jon's role in the Haiti Mission.

    JAWS is New War

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2025 17:20


    Craig and Jon discuss New War Theory, Mary Kaldor, and if the nature of war has changed.

    Christmas Holiday Spectacular

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2024 23:13


    The Elite Duo each share two of their favorite historical events to occur on or around Christmas Day. Plus, Craig sings some Counting Crows. It is an annual tradition!

    The Russian Way of War with Dr. Peter Eltsov

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 29:23


    The Elite Ones sit down with the legendary Peter Eltsov to discuss the war in Ukraine and if there is a Russian Way of War.Comments and questions (even from Craig's step dad) email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu.

    The Trouble with Objectivity

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 19:57


    The Elite Duo discuss the latest "controversy" over the American Historical Associations apolitical stance and the issues with objectivity in history and critical thinking. #Elite

    elite objectivity american historical associations
    Football and the American Way of War

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 25, 2024 22:27


    The Elite Ones sit down with the newly minted JAWS Professor, Col. Dan Sukman. We discuss the release of his book American Football and the American Way of War: The Gridiron and the Battlefield.Questions or comments email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    Meet the Press: The Media and the Military

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 33:51


    The "Youngish" Face of #Founderschic and Jon discuss the role of media with two elite members of the media, CNN's Haley Britzky and C-SPAN's Howard Mortman.

    A Chinese Way of War? Feat. John F. Sullivan and Harold Tanner

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 31:24


    The elite duo sit down and discuss Sun Tzu, Mao, and ponder if there is a Chinese Way of War. Featuring John F. Sullivan (INDOPACOM) and Dr. Harold Tanner (University of North Texas).Any questions email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    We Like Ike: An Interview with Susan Eisenhower

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2024 31:46


    Jon and Craig sit down with the most elite Susan Eisenhower to discuss her life and book How Ike Led. Any questions or comments email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    The Chancellorsville Campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 35:28


    The Chancellorsville campaign is discussed! Plus... Dr. Craig and Dr. Jon reenact the final meeting between Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson as an elite bonus.

    The Yorktown Campaign

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2024 38:28


    Dr. Craig discusses and possibly weeps over the joy of the Yorktown Campaign. Next Friday we return with our discussion on the Chancellorsville Campaign.Comments, questions, or to complain about the top ten movie episode please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    The Top Ten Most Elite War Movies Ever!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 27:19


    The Elite Ones sit down and rank their top ten greatest war movies.

    A Special 20th Episode Anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 16:59


    Jon and Craig celebrate the 20th episode of the podcast and the JAWS 20th graduating class. Special guest...REDACTED!

    OMBE and Me

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2024 26:29


    Everything you would ever want to know or need to know about Outcome Based Military Education with Associate Dean of Academics Dr. Ilaria De Santis,

    You Got Comp'd

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2024 19:09


    The Elite Ones discuss the upcoming JAWS oral examination that will end the academic year. Plus a great discussion on defining war.

    Operation FORAGER

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2024 29:29


    The Elite professors discuss Operation FORAGER. This World War II operation secured the Northern Marianas Islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Guam in 1944. The islands remain an important strategic asset in the Pacific and JAWS will soon depart for its Field Research Trip to the second island chain. Comments, questions, please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    Manza is...History

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2024 22:10


    Jon discusses the evolution of the podcast and introduces the new elite co-host, Dr. Craig Bruce Smith. After wiping the tears from John Manza's departure, Jon and Craig discuss how the lack of understanding history in the United States is leading to a national security crisis.Best of luck Manza!!!Comments, concerns, questions, please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    united states history craig bruce smith
    A War Update 3.0

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 15:54


    Dr. Manza and Dr. Mikolashek update the masses on the war in Ukraine and Israel. Big changes upcoming for the show. More to follow!Any comments, questions, please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    Welcome to NATO, Sweden!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 19:47


    John and Jon sit down for an elite conversation with Major General Anders Callert and Colonel Anders Palmgren from the Swedish Defence University to discuss NATO and the role of Sweden in the growing alliance.

    Internationals in PME

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 10:03


    Lucky 13!!!The Good Doctors sit down for a quick chat on International students attending Professional Military Education (PME) in the United States. Questions, comments, hot takes, please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    The Three Most Overrated Generals of All-Time

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2024 22:06


    The Elite Doctors sit down and discuss the top three most overrated generals in American history. Some have called this the "greatest episode ever,"Questions, comments, angry messages, please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    AI, Drones, and PME with Major General William H. Seely III

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2024 29:02


    Manza and Mikolashek sit down with National Defense University's very own Major General William H. Seely III to discuss a wide range of topics.

    The Most Elite Man in the World: General George S. Patton

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 18:14


    The Elite Ones sit down on the 78th anniversary of General Patton's death to discuss his life, career, and if he was assassinated! Questions, comments, etc., please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    A War Update: Ukraine and Israel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2023 20:44


    Manza and Mikolashek sit down to discuss the latest in the wars in Ukraine and Israel. Questions and Comments? Please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    The Israel-Hamas War

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 22, 2023 21:25


    John and Jon sit down to discuss the Israel-Hamas War.Comments or questions? Please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    An Expeditionary Birthday Celebration

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 16:51


    "Johnny Two Buttons" aka Dr. Manza, a retired Marine, waxes poetic about the United States Marine Corps. Three Elite guests join the pod to celebrate the 248th birthday of the USMC.

    In Defense of JPME

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 18:16


    The Jo(h)ns sit down for an elite discussion on the state of Joint Professional Military Education in the United States. They further discuss the withdrawal of Afghanistan, history, and strategy. For suggestions on content, interviews, questions, or even critiques on the show please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    The Three Greatest Field Commanders Ever!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2023 20:48


    Everyone's two favorite Jo(h)ns sit down and debate their three greatest field commanders throughout world history. For suggestions on content, interviews, questions, or even critiques on the show please email Jon at jon.b.mikolashek.civ@ndu.edu

    Threats Against the Homeland: How China and Russia Operate in the US

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 18:02


    The Elite Jo(h)ns discuss Chinese and Russian intelligence gathering and Dr. Manza's favorite app, Tik Tok with retired Special Agent Alan Kohler. Mr. Kohler recently retired from the FBI in 2023 after 27 years dedicated to counterintelligence and national security matters. His career included every role a special agent can have within the Counterintelligence Program of the FBI.

    Manza's Musings on Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 15:36


    On episode 3 of JAWBone Dr. Manza discusses the war in Ukraine and possible alternatives for Ukrainian victory.

    The Greatest Man in the World with Dr. Craig Bruce Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 27:35


    Dr. Craig Bruce Smith joins the podcast to talk about the eliteness of George Washington and the continuing relevancy of the American Revolution.

    An Elite Introduction

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 38:27


    Welcome to JAWBONE, with Dr J and Dr J. I'm John Manza, professor of practice and strategy chair at the elite Joint Advanced Warfighting School and I'm joined by Dr. John Mikolashek, chair of theory and history. In today's podcast and those to follow, we will be discussing war, history, theory, strategy and current national security concerns. Joining us today is Colonel Andy Forney, US Army strategist and Wing Commander Shane Rutherford, Royal Air Force. Both of these gentlemen will graduate from JAWS tomorrow.

    Claim JAWBone with Dr. J and Dr. Craig

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel