Podcasts about us army command

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Austin Branch, Dave Pitts, and Joe Miller discuss cognitive warfare, the gray zone, and intensifying great power competition. The ultimate goal is to compete by gaining and maintaining information advantage without kinetic fighting. Recording Date: 28 Apr  2025 Research Question: Has Russian cognitive warfare, including the use of reflexive control, red lines and nuclear threats, influenced US policy decisions regarding weapon deliveries and restrictions to Ukraine? Similarly, has Chinese cognitive warfare impacted US policy and strategic outcomes concerning Taiwan and the Philippines? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #24 John Davis on Modern Warfare, Teamwork, and Commercial Cognitive Security #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge #222 JD Maddox on Emerging IO Opportunities Unrestricted Warfare by Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui The Cypher Brief Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field Save the Cat Story Structure: Definition and Beat Sheet by Blake Snyder Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Austin Branch founded Crescent Bridge to help serve the Information technical and cognitive needs of the Federal Government. Additionally, Austin joined ARLIS to help support the evolution of the Defense and U.S. Government Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) enterprise. Previously, Austin served as OIE Technology & Strategy at Secretary of the Air Force Directorate for Concepts, Development and Management (Exec IPA) after several years in the private sector at COLSA Corporation as the Executive Director for Information Strategies and Programs (2015-2021) after serving 30 years in Federal service as an Army Officer and Senior Civilian. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1986 from The Citadel, Charleston S.C. and went on to serve in multiple Command and Staff positions in conflict and in peace becoming the Army's first Information Operations Officer. Austin pioneered military operations in the information environment in key leadership positions in the Army, Joint Special Operations Command, Joint Staff, EUCOM, and deployed Joint and multinational Task Force Organizations across the globe. Upon retirement from the Army, Austin joined the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence as the Deputy Director and Chief of Operations for the Defense Policy Analysis Office with oversight of National special plans and technical operations. In 2008 was selected as a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader as Senior Advisor for Defense Information Operations focused on oversight, policy and support for Service and Joint Information Operations, and associated Special Access programs. In 2010, Austin was selected by the Secretary of Defense to lead the Information Operations and Military Information Support Defense Enterprise as the first Senior Director for this mission area in the Office of Policy and Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. In this capacity, Austin was DOD's senior representative for IO, MISO, EW and special program oversight, policy and assessments. In 2013, Austin was selected by the Director for the National Counter-Terrorism Center and the DNI to establish and lead a new organization to address Domestic Counter Terrorism, Counter Violent Extremism, and Counter Terrorism Cyber Strategy and Policy in support of the National Security Council. In this capacity, he also served as the National Co-lead for countering ISIS propaganda and influence and associated IPC lead strategist for National Security Council. Austin is also one of the founder's of a Non-profit, Information Professionals Association (IPA). IPA is a professional organization established to serve the interests of the broader Information community worldwide and for issues related to Cognitive Security. Austin also served on the Defense Science Board summer 2019 study focused on great power competition in the Information Environment and was recently was selected to join the University of Maryland Advanced Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) to help lead development of their Cognitive Security & Information Portfolio. He also serves on various Advisory Board(s) and professional associations. Austin and his wife, Carol live in Bluffton SC and have three children. They have two serving in active duty in the Army and one in Medical School at Icahn School of Medicine, Mt Sinai, NY. Dave Pitts is a senior national security professional, former CIA executive, and veteran with over four decades of experience in challenging and critical missions, ranging from intelligence operations, counterterrorism and special operations to great power competition. Dave served as the Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia, Chief of National Resources Division, senior leadership positions in the Counterterrorism Center—including in the strategic communications space—and led CIA's two largest Field Stations. Dave has a proven track record of leading large and diverse teams, building lasting partnerships, integrating innovative technologies, and delivering results in high-stakes and high-pressure situations. Dave is a thought leader, Cipher Brief Expert and a frequent writer and commentator on terrorism, great power competition, the gray zone, cognitive warfare and emerging global issues. Dave is a co-founder of The Cipher Briefs Gray Zone Group. Joe Miller, Senior Executive Service, is currently the Deputy Commander for Support at the US Army Special Operations Command, headquartered at Ft Bragg, N.C. Prior to his assignment to Ft Bragg, Joe was the J7 Director of Joint Training and Innovation at US NORAD/NORTHCOM at Peterson, AFB, Co and first SES assignment was the J5 Director, Policy, Strategy, Plans and Futures at US Special Operations Command at Mac Dill AFB, Fl. Joe is a retired US Army Colonel.  He has led and Commanded platoons, troops, detachments, a Battalion task force and a Brigade. He has served and operated in western Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, SW Asia and throughout the Americas. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors, US Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies (Master of Military Arts and Sciences), an Army War College Fellowship. He earned a Master's Degree in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  He is a life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Joe is married with one son. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

In the second episode of the Great Escape Series, we are joined by Derek Mallett, an Associate Professor at the US Army Command and General Staff College. Derek joined us to tell us all about those in charge of German security in Stalag Luft III, from the Commandant to the ferrets, as the Great Escapers engaged in a battle of wits against them to get out of the camp before Tom, Dick and Harry were discovered!For You The War Is Over is a podcast that looks at the real life stories of Prisoner-of-War escapes from the the Second World War. Hosted by Dave Robertson and Tony Hoskins, each episode looks at a new escape. If you would like to follow us on Twitter we can be found @FYTWIO we can also be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/FYTWIO/ or if you would prefer to send a more long form message we can also be reached via email at FYTWIOpodcast@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1.  Improvised Partnerships: U.S. Joint Operations in the Mexican-American War, by Nathan A. Jennings, Joint Force Quarterly 105, April 14, 2022. 2. D-Day Veracruz, 1847 – A Grand Design, by Paul C. Clark, Jr. and Edward H. Moseley, National Defense University, 1996. 3. Sea Control 510 – The Fortress Fleet with Lt Col Nathan Jennings, PhDBio: Nathan is an associate professor and Army strategist at the US Army Command and General Staff College.Jared Samuelson is Co-Host and Executive Producer of the Sea Control podcast. Contact him at Seacontrol@cimsec.org.This episode was edited and produced by Marie Williams.

Hey there, listeners! Have you ever wondered what it takes to shape the leaders of tomorrow? Or how a military school experience can impact a young man's life beyond just preparing him for armed service? Well, you're in for a treat with Episode 117 of the "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact" podcast!This time around, we sit down with an exceptional guest, Lieutenant Colonel Roland Miraco, commandant of cadets at the prestigious Army Navy Academy. Roland isn't just a decorated military veteran with tours in Iraq and Bosnia Herzegovina under his belt; he's also a proud alumnus of the academy and has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of changemakers.In this episode, we'll dive into the academy's rich history, its mission to mold young men of character, and the diverse futures its cadets pursue—from Ivy League halls to innovative industries. Roland will share how the school's unique all-boys boarding model, small class sizes, and new programs like culinary arts and aviation are setting students up for success.But that's not all! Roland gets personal, sharing his own journey from cadet to commandant, and how his family is continuing the legacy. Plus, we'll bust some myths about military schools and hear heartwarming success stories of students who've thrived under the academy's guidance.Curious to learn more? Roland extends an invitation to explore the Army Navy Academy's offerings. Tune in to this insightful conversation and discover a community dedicated to excellence right here in Carlsbad. Don't forget to check out the academy's website or call the Admissions Department at 760-729-2385 for more info. Listen, learn, and be inspired—right here on "Carlsbad: People, Purpose, and Impact."Roland Miraco's Bio:Lieutenant Colonel Miraco graduated from Army and Navy Academy in 1990. After attending the Academy, he moved on to New Mexico Military Institute. He received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army.Roland served in the United States Army for 29 years. He was an Artillery Officer in Germany, Bosnia, and Fort Sill. He taught ROTC at the University of Southern California and was an Academic Chair at the Naval Postgraduate School. As an Information Operations Officer, Roland served with the Department of the Army Staff, and the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict at the Pentagon, Division Staff at Fort Bliss, TX, and Branch Manager at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He also completed two tours in Iraq, from 2005-2006 and 2009-2010.He earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from California State University Long Beach. His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Combined Arms Service Staff School, the Basic Cyber Planners Course, the Electronic Warfare Planners Course, the Military Deception Planners Course, and the US Army Command and General Staff College. Roland's awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal with three stars, the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Badge and the Army Staff Badge. He also earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Superior Unit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster. Did this episode have a special impact on you? Share how it impacted youCarlsbad Podcast Social Links:LinkedInInstagramFacebookXYouTubeSponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting

Lt Col Allen West has not only had a distinguished career serving in the military but he also served his country in Congress.  His life has been all about service.  He joins us to discuss the latest GOP primary results and why immigration is the No1 issue with voters.  Allen is currently running for the Dallas County GOP chair, 'Fight Local: Win National' is his tagline and we start with why local politics is so important.  Dallas is without a Republican representative so he has put himself forward as the person to put the party on the front foot and win back some of those seats to provide an opposition block to the Democrats.  We the move onto Trump's latest triumph in the primary where he defeated Nikki Haley in New Hampshire, it seems that no one can stop the Trump Train that has America First as its key policy above all else, Haley is hanging on, but for how much longer?  We then look at immigration and why this issue has become so important to voters. Are they are beginning to realise, If you don't have a border, you don't have a country? Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighbourhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen, all combat veterans, in his family. West was commissioned through ROTC at the University of Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) on July 31, 1982. He entered active-duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne and jumpmaster training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course. He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of honourable service in defence of the Republic. In November of 2010, Allen was honoured to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District.  West holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Connect with Lt Col West... Substack           https://allenwest.substack.com/ GETTR               https://gettr.com/user/AllenWest X                         https://twitter.com/AllenWest?s=20&t=xdPqNPtV13hYDp0RSja_Iw Interview recorded 24.1.24 Connect with Hearts of Oak... WEBSITE            https://heartsofoak.org/ PODCASTS        https://heartsofoak.podbean.com/ SOCIAL MEDIA  https://heartsofoak.org/connect/ Support Hearts of Oak by purchasing one of our fancy T-Shirts....  SHOP                  https://heartsofoak.org/shop/ *Special thanks to Bosch Fawstin for recording our intro/outro on this podcast. Check out his art https://theboschfawstinstore.blogspot.com/ and follow him on X https://twitter.com/TheBoschFawstin?s=20 

GUEST: Robert Spencer, author of Empire of God: How the Byzantines Saved Civilization.Robert Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist?. He led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Spence is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center.

GUEST: Robert Spencer, author of Empire of God: How the Byzantines Saved Civilization.Robert Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist?. He led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). Spence is the director of Jihad Watch and a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center.

How would the Allied forces have forced the surrender of Japan had they not dropped the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki?Operation Downfall was the planned invasion of Japan. It was expected to be a massive two part operation; bigger than D-Day and enormously costly.To find out more about the proposed invasion, its projected outcomes and why it wasn't implemented, Don spoke to D. M. Giangreco, an award winning author who served as an editor at Military Review, US Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, for 20 years. His book on this subject is 'Hell to Pay: Operation Downfall and the Invasion of Japan, 1945-1947'.Produced by Sophie Gee. Edited by Aidan Lonergan. Senior Producer was Charlotte Long.Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, James Holland, Mary Beard and more.Don't miss out on the best offer in history! Enjoy unlimited access to award-winning original documentaries that are released weekly and AD-FREE podcasts. Get a subscription for £1 for 3 months with code AMERICANHISTORYHIT1 sign up now for your 14-day free trial https://historyhit/subscription/

Learn more about Michael Wenderoth, Executive Coach: www.changwenderoth.com SHOW NOTES:Martin Young, Managing Director at M3 Partners, explains what turnaround and restructuring experts do – and how his training as a military chaplain has served him and his work on Wall Street. We discuss: thinking in terms of best interests, understanding organizational behavior through the theological concept of total depravity, how a chaplain approaches contentious situations – and the misunderstood paradigm between communication and being effective.How Martin's religious side emergedHow his theological training and military service shaped his worldview – and connect to his Wall Street jobThe US Constitution on bankruptcy and the idea of a fresh startHow Marty defines power: formal and informalThinking in terms of “the best interest” testsIs the restructuring world all about brutal cost cuts and layoffs?The two core things that turnaround professionals look atIncome Statements and Balance Sheets, Turnarounds vs RestructuringManaging constituencies who have influence & navigating egos and politics: The first thing you need to doTriangulate to the core, shed and thinking it terms of a bankruptcy paradigmThe grey areas create the most contentionLooking at organizations through the theological lense of “total depravity”Forcing a process upon people where they actually have to do things that are in their best interestHow his chaplain training helps him when advising executives and companiesGoing into contentious meetings, what Marty does to stay self-controlled, be able to listen and understand other perspectivesHow to share bad news without pissing off the CEOWhat are people's anchors?“Leadership is identifying a problem with a moral center that people can get behind and want to solve”The “Theology -> Ethics -> Leadership” progression that is sadly being lostThe basic issues we all struggle withThe misunderstood paradigm around communication and being effective BIO AND LINKS:Marty Young is a globally recognized restructuring, turnaround, performance improvement and investment banking professional and executive with over 25 years of financial and operational experience in addressing over 75 special situation investments. He is a Managing Director at M-3 Partners, a top Wall Street boutique restructuring advisory and investment firm, serves on the Advisory Board of the School of Industrial and Systems Engineering of Georgia Tech, and has held executive roles with Noragh Analytics, Young Broadcasting, Best Textiles and most recently as CEO of Buckle, an innovative insurance company that serves the shared economy. Marty has been globally recognized by the Turnaround Management Association, Turnaround and Workouts, and the Global M&A Network, including being named one of the Top 100 Restructuring Professionals. Marty is a West Point graduate and served as an Officer in the U.S. Army Infantry, earned an MBA from the NYU Stern School of Business and an MS in Operations Research from Georgia Tech, and trained at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, from which he holds a Masters of Divinity, Masters of Theology (Biblical Theology), and Doctorate of Ministry in Workplace Theology, Ethics and Leadership. Marty serves as a Chaplain in the Delaware National and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinsyoung/M3 Partners: https://m3-partners.comBuckle: https://www.buckleup.comMichael's Book, Get Promoted: https://tinyurl.com/453txk74

GUEST 1 OVERVIEW: Peter Brimelow is a naturalized US citizen who was born in Great Britain and who graduated from the University of Sussex with honors. He later obtained his MBA from Stanford University. Peter Brimelow lived in Canada while working for Maclean's magazine before coming to the US to live, settle and become an American. His role as a factor in Canadian politics was secured through the impact of his seminal work The Patriot Game: National Dreams and Political Realities which helped galvanize the founding of the Reform Party of Canada. Brimelow has been a writer & editor for Forbes, the Financial Post, and National Review.  Brimelow is the author of The Worm in the Apple: How the Teacher Unions Are Destroying American Education and the best-selling book Alien Nation: Common Sense About America's Immigration Disaster. Peter Brimelow is also the founder of the much banned website VDARE which was named after the first white child born in America Virginia Dare. GUEST 2 OVERVIEW: Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist? He has led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). His website is https://www.jihadwatch.org/

With twenty years as an editor at Military Review at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth Dennis Giangreco  has written many award-winning books on U.S. military and political history. Here we'll discuss the books, Hell to Pay: Operation Downfall and the Invasion of Japan and Truman and the Bomb: The Untold Story.

Show notes and Transcript Col Allen West (Ret) joins Hearts of Oak once again to give us a birds eye view of US politics.  Its been nearly a year since the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives so what has changed and have they been successful?  Kevin McCarthy was voted in after a long and gruelling process but is he delivering on the concerns of American people who are witnessing an increasing power grab from every government institution?  And what is happening in Col West's home state of Texas? Is Governor Greg Abbott even a Republican and why does he not secure the Texas border? With Mitch McConnell malfunctioning and Nancy Pelosi seeking re-electing does America need more politicians who have been part of the system for decades and made it their career?  And finally we finish looking at the Republican Primary and Col West shares his honest assessment. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighbourhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen, all combat veterans, in his family. West was commissioned through ROTC at the University of Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) on July 31, 1982. He entered active-duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne and jumpmaster training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course. He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of honourable service in defence of the Republic. In November of 2010, Allen was honoured to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, West introduced seven major pieces of legislation, and was the original sponsor of H. R. 1246 which reduces costs at the Department of Defence, was passed unanimously (393-0), and signed into law by President Obama as part of the National Defence Authorization Act. Congressman West voted for the Balanced Budget Amendment, and voted for over 30 different bills designed to empower small businesses, reduce government barriers to job creation, boost American competitiveness, encourage entrepreneurship and growth, and maximize American energy production. West holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Hold Texas, Hold the Nation: Victory or Death by Lt Col Allen B West (ret) available on Amazonhttps://www.amazon.com/Hold-Texas-Nation-Victory-Death/dp/1612542980 Follow and support Col West at the following links... Substack: https://allenwest.substack.com/ GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/AllenWest X: https://twitter.com/AllenWest?s=20&t=xdPqNPtV13hYDp0RSja_Iw Gab: https://gab.com/AllenWest Podcast: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/b58w7-26cd73/Allen-West-%7C-Steadfast--Loyal-Podcast The ACRU The American Constitutional Rights Union GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/theacru X: https://twitter.com/The_ACRU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theacru Interview recorded 14.9.23 *Special thanks to Bosch Fawstin for recording our intro/outro on this podcast. Check out his art https://theboschfawstinstore.blogspot.com/ and follow him on GETTR https://gettr.com/user/BoschFawstin and Twitter https://twitter.com/TheBoschFawstin?s=20  To sign up for our weekly email, find our social media, podcasts, video, livestreaming platforms and more... https://heartsofoak.org/connect/ Support Hearts of Oak by purchasing one of our fancy T-Shirts.... https://heartsofoak.org/shop/ Please subscribe, like and share! Transcript (Hearts of Oak) Colonel Allen West, it is wonderful to have you back with us again. Thank you so much for your time today. (Col Allen West) It's good to be back with you, Peter. Thanks for having me. No, thank you. And everyone can follow you @AllenWest on Twitter. And in case any of our viewers don't know who Colonel Allen West is, Executive Director, American Constitutional Rights Union Action, former Texas GOP chair, former Florida representative, retired army lieutenant colonel. I never know if it's left tenant or lieutenant. That's where I get my U.S. and English mixed up. Author, host of Steadfast and Loyal podcast. And I saw one of your recent guests was Mark Huck. The pro-life pastor who had his home-raided by the FBI which is a huge story and maybe we'll get touching on how the FBI have been weaponized to that extent and of course your Substack alanwest.substack.com all the links are in the description for our viewers and listeners.  Midterms and we're now, approaching a year since the midterms ten months in. The Republican Party obviously has had control of the House of Representatives. I want to know your assessment, I think, of how the Republicans have performed within those 10 months as someone who has been an elected official and understands the ins and outs in the different levels of political life. What are your thoughts as you look on what's happening at the moment? Well, I will tell you first and foremost, the only constitutionally mandated duty and responsibility that the House and the Senate are supposed to pass every year is to create a budget. That means that they're supposed to pass 12 appropriations bills. They're supposed to resolve them and send those to the president to be signed. And so once again, we're not going to make that, constitutionally mandated goal, which has to occur by 30 September. They're already talking about a continuing resolution, which means that the fiscal calamity that we see that over $30 trillion in debt, $2 trillion in annual deficit, is just going to continue on. So I would have to grade them with an F for not being able to do what was necessary to get those appropriations bills passed in the House, because they do have control of the House, but the onus is on the Senate to do something. At least they have passed one appropriations bill in the House. The Senate has not passed any whatsoever. But I will tell you that one thing that I will give them great credit for and commend them for is what they have uncovered as far as the corruption of the President Biden's family. I don't see how anyone could dismiss this. I mean, why does this family need 20 secretive LLCs, 150 some odd suspicious financial activity reports? We know that there has been payments that have come from countries such as Romania to the Biden family members, nine different members. And so when you look at some of these connections, you know, the Hunter Biden laptop is for real. It's not Russian disinformation or misinformation. And you start to see the connections between his son to Ukraine, to China, to Russia, and of course, some of the issues we have now with our foreign policy. You just have to wonder if we do have a president that is compromised. And I think that's one of the things that they have to be commended for getting to the bottom of this or at least getting this out there to be discussed in the political sphere.  Do you think that was a bit slow? Because I know we have had Garrett Ziegler on before, we've had Miranda Devine, here in the UK the Daily Mail will publish, regular stories of Hunter and his escapades, for want of a better word, and all the information has been there and they have got round to it. Do you think it was maybe possible to get to that point quicker or is it there just is not the support in the House to move it forward quicker? Well, there was not the support in the House under the Democrat control, but without a doubt, when you have people like the Daily Mail, Miranda Devine, the New York Post that are uncovering these things, you know, thankfully we did get the House back under the Republican leadership of control. You had to get the hearings done, and now we start to see all of these different things. We're starting to get confirmation of evidence and things of this nature. I think that where we are right now, and Kevin McCarthy coming back and saying, yeah, we got to do an impeachment inquiry, I would have said, you could have made that assessment a couple of months ago, without a doubt, before you go on August recess, so you can get your appropriations bills done and you can continue on with this. But I'm glad to see that Republicans have grown a little bit of a spine, not a complete spine, but a little bit of a spine, and they're standing up to the corruption and the unconstitutional actions of this administration. It is quite a difficult situation to be in. And a lack of spine is something we see certainly here in the UK as well, amongst most of our politicians, but there's a lot happening, with the destruction of the country and the economy through Bidenomics. It's quite difficult, I guess, as an elected official, to respond to that, to hold Biden to account, but also to realize there is a lot of destruction being done to the country. No, you're absolutely right. I don't even see how anyone could debate this. The facts are very clear. when Joe Biden came into office, inflation in the United States of America was 1.4%. Within no time, he had taken it up to 5%, to 6%, to 9.1%. Now I know you have a lot of people, such as the White House mouthpiece, Karine Jean-Pierre, would say that it was all because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Well, before Vladimir Putin did that, the inflation was at 7%. So now they're touting, well, inflation is down to 4%. Well, guess what? It's still higher than it was at 1.4%. Now there's talk within the next couple of months, it could take back up to 5%. That is an unseen form of taxation on the American people. When you think about it, you look at the price of commodities, goods and services and things of this nature. It is absolutely horrific. Then you look on top of that, the Biden administration war against our energy independence and our energy sector. We were at a point where we were energy independent, producing, consuming and exporting our resources. And when Biden came in, The price of gasoline, the average price of gasoline was $2.40. Now it's back up to close to $5, $6 in some places. So I don't understand how he thinks he could go out and tout the economy. Maybe there are some onesie-twosie things he can try, but overall, the American people know that this is not going in the right direction. And then on top of that, Peter, you have allowed six to seven million people to come into the country illegally. What other country does that? What other country says, we don't care about our sovereignty, just walk across the border, come in, and we will tell the American people to give you free benefits. That is also destroying our economy as well.  I remember back in April when I drove across many parts of the states, six, seven different states from on the east, central and over in the West, and ended up in California, realized why I'd never been to LA and realized why I never wanted to go back.  I don't blame you. But wish I kind of had been there through Reagan's time as governor. He kind of looked back in history and you wish you'd been there at that time. But I was even surprised at the difference in fuel prices across the country here in the UK it's more or less the same across the country and I kind of in my head I was thinking how long do those individuals who live in California put up with the fuel prices, with crime with drugs, with everything that's happening and I kind of couldn't square that and talk to people and they said yeah it's bad but yet they'll happily vote in the same institutions, the same party, the Democrats and continue that spiral. Well, it's amazing, and you know, I live here in Texas, and I can tell you, you see countless amounts of California license plates now in Texas, and there's a big joke about how many U-Haul vans are, you know, coming into Texas. They're not going back to California, they're coming to Texas. So you do have a huge migration, and based upon the last census, California has lost a massive amount of population to the point where they lost two congressional representative districts. So people are starting to realize it, people are starting to feel it. But the problem, Peter, in America is that you have Democrat control of all the major urban population centres. And that's where you see all the greatest amount of failures. You see the poverty, you see the crime, you see the drug trafficking, and now the human and sex trafficking because of the open borders. So even in a place like California, where a good part of that state is still very strong, red, conservative, especially the Central Valley, Northern California. It's the coastal elites, and it's the major population centres. You look at a state like Washington, and everyone looks and sees Seattle and Tacoma, and they figure that the rest of Washington is like that. It's not. It's that one county and the county north of King County that causes, you know, Washington to be a blue state. And sadly, we're seeing that happen here in Texas, I live here in Dallas County, Dallas County and Dallas, Austin and Travis County, the capital, the Houston, Harris County, San Antonio, Bear County, El Paso. These are all very strong Democrat strongholds, and that's the major population centres. It is amazing to me that we cannot do a better job of messaging that shows that, look, there's a reason why the crime is spiking. Austin, Texas is now the 15th highest city for homicides in the United States of America. The capital of Texas has the 15th highest rating for homicides. Their police chief just resigned. And why is that? Because they have a communist city council in Austin that defunded their police by $150 million. So I think we've got to start stressing the one key issue, which is individual safety. You can't go out downtown Austin anymore because of the homeless situation, because of the crime situation. And I think another big issue that will play, Peter, going into the 2024 election cycle is parental rights and protection of our children. I mean, when you've got Joe Biden, his wife Jill Biden, Kamala Harris, and Karine Jean-Pierre standing up and telling the American people that their children are not theirs, they belong to all of us, that's crossing the Rubicon, as I think many people understand. I think that's what you saw happen in the last state-wide election in Virginia, when all of a sudden education became an issue, and the Democrats don't want school choice. The teachers' union is here. Rand and Weingarten is so powerful. I think a lot of these basic kitchen table, homegrown local issues are going to be very important nationally in 2024. I want to pick up on that, and I watched the Virginia elections closely, and they were interesting, that issue on parental rights. But just on Texas, you were a chair of the GOP. You had convictions. You had fight. You had issues you believed in and stood for, and that conviction politics we don't see often, certainly not here in the UK and probably the same in the US there. But how does that fit in with the governor Abbott? Because I know you were certainly critical of him and it seems as though he's put up a few floating barriers in the river and supposedly that fixes immigration. There's a disconnect there between actually as a Republican governor what he should be doing and actually what he is doing and there seems to be a huge gap. There is a huge gap, and as a matter of fact, the Constitution of the United States of America says very clearly in Article 4, Section 4, that the federal government is supposed to protect every state in the union from invasion. When they don't do that, Article 1, Section 10, Clause 3 says exactly what states can do, the actions they can take when actually invaded. And then also in the Texas state constitution, Article 4, Section 4, it says that the responsibility of the governor of the state of Texas as the commander of the Texas Military Department. The National Guard and things here, he is supposed to repel invasions. When you put out 1,000 meters of big orange toys in the middle of the Rio Grande River, when Texas has a border with Mexico that is about 1,249 miles, 1,000 meters is not going to do anything. I was just a month ago down on the border in between Eagle Pass and Del Rio in Kenny County and talking to the law enforcement there and the sheriff there, he said, people just go around it. So this band aid on a sucking chest wound type of mentality, this political optic to say that, look, I'm doing something, I've got the guard down there, but no one is being turned back. And I'm sure the people in the UK know about Governor Abbott putting people on buses and sending them to New York, Washington, and to LA also. Well, you know, as I said, the governor is aiding and abetting human and sex trafficking. He's continuing to send illegals who are here illegally deeper into the United States of America. So he's actually violating the constitution as well. And furthermore, Peter, each illegal immigrant is about $1,400 for a Texas taxpayer to pay for them to be on one of these buses. I didn't sign up for that. I don't think any Texas taxpayer signed up for that. So my criticisms of the governor is that he does not, you know, stand up and do what he is supposed to do as the governor of Texas, to include some unconstitutional actions where, you know, he extended his emergency powers over the state of Texas unconstitutionally. He did not go through the legislature during the whole COVID issue. Who would have thought in Texas we'd have mass mandates and shot mandates, but we did. So that's why I say it is not so much a Democrat versus Republican issue anymore in the United States of America. It is about progressive, socialist, Marxist on one side and constitutional conservatives, and we must understand the proper role and relationship between the institution of government and the individual. And there are some people that don't get that. They want more power concentrated in seats of government, being at the federal level or even the state level or even the local level. And they usurp more individual rights, freedoms, and liberties. I mean, look at what is going on in New Mexico, where you have the governor in New Mexico saying that because of the crime issue that the policies of Democrats created in Albuquerque, releasing criminals on the streets, the drug trafficking, human sex trafficking, we're going to suspend the Second Amendment. We're going to create a public health crisis. You can't do that. So we have a real issue in America of elected officials that are not abiding by the rule of law, and I think that's the most important thing that we have to correct here in this country. Obviously, we in the UK look at states like Florida, like Texas, as bastions of free speech, as those who hold the line on the American dream, and yet you've described something different. The Governor's position, Governor Abbott, how does it fit in? What checks and balances are there on him? Because I'm assuming that Texas is still a red state in some ways. Yeah. No, it is a red state, but I would challenge anyone to go back and look at the 2020, presidential electoral map broken down by county. You can Google it and they'll pull up. And you can see the concentrations of blue in the state of Texas. Texas has 254 counties. It's a pretty doggone big state. But when you focus and concentrate on those major population centres, it's a numbers game, because you don't have enough population out in rural counties, being West Texas, where there are some counties you may have 4,000 or 5,000 people, or over in East Texas. So that's the strategy of the left. I mean, they've done that in Georgia, where the major population centres, Atlanta, Macon, Augusta, Savannah, Columbus, That's the reason why all of a sudden you've got two socialist senators from the state of Georgia. So we really have to pay attention to that. But Texas, the governor is supposed to be restrained by the legislative branch. But when the legislative branch does not do their job and allow the governor to run roughshod over them, just the same as you can see that at the federal government level, you know, we're not supposed to be ruled by executive orders and edicts and mandates and decrees. We're supposed to have a legislative process. But too often people are allowing governors and also presidents to just, you know, sign off on something and people believe that it's law, and it is not. So we've got to get back to that blocking and tackling of understanding what it means to live in a constitutional republic. Back to the national side, Kevin McCarthy, you talked about the Republicans maybe getting an F in the House and of course Kevin McCarthy is Majority Chair there in the House and his becoming elected was a fraught endeavour of many negotiations and votes. What about him personally And where does the position or the role or the place of the Freedom Caucus fit into his role in the House? Well, I think the Freedom Caucus is just trying to restore what we what we call regular order up there in the United States House of Representatives to do things by the regular processes and procedures that they're supposed to operate under and not have you know bills basically be written in the Speaker's office or in the Majority Leader's office and you know, you get told a couple of days out, this is what you're going to vote for, like an omnibus spending bill, which, you know, they continue to do. And that's what gets us into this fiscal mess that we find here in the United States of America. So I applauded the people for saying that the election of a speaker is just not a coronation. There are some very serious things that we want to see happen, and Kevin McCarthy had to go through that crucible to get their support. But again, on this back side, we still don't see them getting the appropriations bills passed and things of this nature. And we don't have to sit around and wait and impeach Joe Biden on this corruption thing. What he is doing on the border is a violation of the Constitution. That's his policy. I mean, he came in and he said, we're going to allow illegals to come into this country. That's treasonous. When you are selling oil from our strategic patrolling reserve to China, to me, that's treasonous, but that's what this administration is doing. When you're undermining your country's own energy independence, to me, that's a high crime and misdemeanour. When you are restoring the Taliban back into power in Afghanistan, that's aiding and abetting a terrorist organization. So there are so many things that you can hold Joe Biden accountable for. But I think that, like I said, at least we don't have Nancy Pelosi still as the Speaker of the House there, and we would not know anything about the level of corruption we see with this Biden family. One thing I guess, people like Pelosi and maybe Mitch McConnell can say is they don't remember, we've seen... Poor Mitch McConnell has his issues, lets say.... Is that ageist? I didn't say such a thing. No, but how does that fit because in in the UK? It's kind of a rush or a move towards, younger and younger, where America seems to be older and older and with Pelosi she's going to run again and she's what, 82 or 83? At some point you have to retire and I don't know whether that fits in with the American political model. Well it's interesting enough, I think it was George Mason who said 17 June 1787 that nothing so greatly impels a man to regard the interests of of his constituents than the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people from whence he was taken where he shall participate in their burdens. Our founding fathers never meant for us to have a career political class, a political elite, but due to the apathy of the electorate here in America, this is exactly what we have. So interestingly enough, Peter, what you have seen because of the last couple of episodes of Mitch McConnell just blanking out. And what has been up, Diane Feinstein and her health issues and John Fetterman, I mean, who cannot hold a clear sentence. People are asking for term limits there in the House and Senate at the federal government level. There are many states that have term limits on their representatives, but we don't have that. I remember when I was sworn into Congress, there was a congressman from Michigan by the name of, I think, David Dingell. And Dingell had been in office longer than I had been alive. And so you just ask yourself. And of course, when he finally dies, who gets to take his seat? His wife! And so this is not the cronyism, nepotism that we wanted to have in America. So yes, people are starting to ask a question about mental acuity. I mean, you look at our own president, and this is not good on the public stage. What would the media in America say if Donald Trump had ever said at a press conference in a foreign country, I'm going to bed now? I mean, they'd go berserk. And so I think that Americans do want something different. And I got to tell you, this is something that Nikki Haley has been talking about. It's time for a new generation of leaders. And I think she's 50, 51 years of age. And this is something that's striking the tone with the American people. And I'll be very honest, you know, even President Trump, I think he's 77 or 78. And so the American people are sitting back saying, I mean, we got an 80 year old and a 77, 78 year old, we're gonna be voting for them to be president once again. They're not happy with that setup. Well, Sleepy Joe, he does need a sleep, I'm sure. And I wanna touch on the Republican primary, But just last thinking on the Mitch McConnell situation, obviously the Republicans in the Senate decided he was the best person for the job. Does that mean the calibre isn't as high in the Senate as it should be? Or are there others that could step into that position and be voted in? Well, I think what they decided and voted on is this same old thing. He's been there and that's who should be the leader. And he can raise the most money. There have to be better qualifications than just that. You need someone that is sharp, that has the ability to go out there and go head to head on the debate floor with the Democratic leader, Chuck Schumer. You cannot have someone that says they're a leader and they're having these moments of blanking out. And I would think that it would be the honourable thing for Mitch McConnell to say that, you know, I'm not up to this anymore. I'm going to step aside and let someone younger, John Thune or whoever to step into this position. So, but again, it comes back to the American people now starting to ask, should there be term limits? Should there be mental acuity testing on individuals there in the House and the Senate or maybe in the Supreme Court. You mentioned Nikki Haley and obviously the Republican primary and I watched the first debate. I was over there in Virginia and I watched it. The main candidate, obviously Trump, was not there. I thought Nikki Haley did well. I thought Vivek did well, although I'm not sure exactly where he's come from. Obviously, I've watched DeSantis, has been a very good governor. What are your thoughts on the field? Because my initial thoughts were, if someone like Donald Trump is running, then you don't even get in the ring. It's not your time. But these individuals have chosen to put themselves up against the gorilla in the room, in effect. What are your thoughts as you look from the outside at the campaign, at the primary? Well, I will tell you very simply, and I've said this publicly on many interviews, is that Donald Trump has to change the narrative. Donald Trump should be on that debate stage, because right now the media is painting him as someone, a former president under indictments, several different states. What he has to do is be the former president that is running to be president again. And the only way you change that is to go on offense, to be on the debate stage, to defend your record, to talk about your record, to talk about where you are now. And if you're going to be, I'll use your metaphor, if you're the gorilla, well then you got to beat down all the chimpanzees, but you can't run away from them. And I think that that's the important thing that he has to do. So if he continues to skip debates, my concern is he makes himself less and less relevant when it comes to talking about the issues. And you can go on Tucker and everything like that and have what, I don't know, 10, 12 million people check it out, but still you were not on the debate stage. And I think it's a little disingenuous to the American people to say that, I'm leading in the polls, I don't need to show up, I'm gonna win it. Well, I'm a big college football fan. And I will tell you that every year you have your preseason ranked number one team, and It just so happens it's Georgia, and Georgia, of course, they've wanted to last national champions. But even being a preseason number one, that doesn't mean they skip all of the games in the season. It doesn't mean that they say, well, we're only going to play teams with a winning record, or we're only going to play our home games. We're not going to go travel to anybody else's stadium, because we're the preseason ranked number one. Every single weekend, Georgia has to go out and validate their ranking. And every team has to do that. So I think that President Trump should not sit back and just say, hey, look, I'm ahead. I don't need to go. You got to show that you are the gorilla. You do deserve that ranking. You do deserve that polling support. and get that narrative changed. I watched my first football game when I was over there, USC against someone else, and after three and a half hours, I had lost the will to live. So yeah, sometimes I need to be educated on the ins and outs of American football.  Peter, let me tell you what, one of these days, I graduated from the University of Tennessee. I'm going to take you to the good old-fashioned South-eastern Conference football game. You're absolutely going to love it. I'll walk you through and talk you through everything, but the best part is all the tailgating, man. It was confusing, but I will take you up on that offer, definitely, someday. You mentioned parental rights, and I've just actually written a piece for Our Church magazine on this issue, which we are facing a hugely hot topic, currently debated in Parliament over the last few weeks even. I was at a demo yesterday outside Parliament on this very issue. We've watched those debates with parents, those school meetings, and the frustration of parents even getting access to materials and this has certainly been a huge topic here and over there. How is that playing out in the political sphere with many organizations trying to educate parents to what is happening, getting parents more involved, trying to wake up politicians to what's happening. Well, I will tell you again, let's go back to what happened in Virginia. And you saw a state that had just gone for Joe Biden in the 2020 election by 10 or 11 points. And then a year later, they lose the governor's mansion and they lose lieutenant governor, they lose attorney general. Why? Because all of a sudden, Tara McAuliffe gets on the debate stage against Glenn Youngkin and says the quote that the left has always believed secretly and in private, but he said it in public. Parents do not have a right in deciding what their children are being taught. That unified people, R&D didn't matter. It was just parents who want to have the best opportunities for their kids and the best opportunities comes from a great education. And when you start to look now at the schools and our kids that are failing, not reading and not doing math at grade level across the country, but yet, you know, everyone is saying everything's fine in our schools. When you have school choice that got passed in a Republican legislature in North Carolina, but the Democrat governor, Roy Cooper, comes out and declares a state of emergency, against school choice. No, this has really lit a fire under a lot of parents. No one has ever really paid attention to school board meetings. People are showing up to school board meetings. People are running for school board. They wanna make sure that the right educational policies are there. They don't want these filthy books that are showing up in school libraries. In California, they're out there saying that if your child, a little boy, wants to be a little girl, you have to go along with her or else the state of California is going to take your child away from you. This is huge, man. I don't know what the left is thinking. Having this drag queen exposure of our kids. That's contributing to a delinquency of a minor. You can't take a kid to a strip show, or they talk about this gender mutilation surgeries. If you're under the age of 18, you can't even get a tattoo. But now we're supposed to believe that an 11, 12-year-old can decide that they want their bodies to be mutilated, and parents are supposed to go along with it or else lose their child. This is a huge issue going into 2024. And when you have an organization called Moms for Liberty, that really is out there, you know, standing up for parental rights, and they're designated as a hate group. I mean, the FBI is classifying parents as domestic terrorists that are going to, you know, school board meetings. This is lighting a fire on a lot of people here in the United States, American parents and grandparents, and I think it's going to play hugely in the 2024 cycle. Yeah, we've had Tina Descovich on twice, talking to her about what Moms for Liberty are doing, and extremely jealous of the success they're having, and we need something like that here. But I'm wondering, what about churches? What's the church's position and role and engagement in this protecting children issue.  I think churches are waking up, as a matter of fact last week I was up in Ohio, you know they have this ballot initiative coming up in November which which will basically codify murder. It says in the Bible of Deuteronomy 30 and 19, I sit before you, heaven and earth, and life and death, and choose life so that you and your descendants shall live. I mean, it's very simple. Psalms 121, verses three through five, talks about children are a blessing from God, and the man that has more of them is like arrows in the quiver. Jeremiah chapter one, talk about I knew you before I formed you in the womb. So I think you're going to see a lot of the churches standing up against this, because this is infanticide. This is not just about, okay, I'm a victim of rape, I'm a victim of incest. This is about murdering unborn babies all the way up to the time that they're born. Even in some states—California, a couple others—they're talking about, if you don't want the baby after it's born, still kill it. Now, to me, I don't understand how you justify that. This is also going to be a huge issue. The left, I think, believes that they could win on this, but when you really describe it, what they stand for, and Planned Parenthood, and Margaret Sanger, who was a white supremacist and a racist, people aren't going to go for that. It's been a destruction of the Black community. I want everyone to understand, since Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 20 million Black babies have been murdered in the womb. And in any other sense, people would say that's a genocide. So it's those simple bits of information and education we've got to get people out there. But yet, 70 to 73 percent of Planned Parenthood clinics are located in black communities. So this is targeted. This issue play out in the Republican primary itself, the issue of pro-life, which some candidates are certainly much more, some are afraid of engaging, and on the issue of parental rights and responsibility of children, which are two huge issues, but obviously quite separate issues. How do you see that playing out in the Republican primary itself?  I think Republicans need to go on offense, and I think that people are looking for someone that is strong on those issues. Lots of times Republicans will, and these are the establishment Republicans, say, don't talk about the life issue, don't talk about social issues. Well, they're here. You're talking about a group of people that believe in murdering children up to the time of birth. You're talking about a group of people that want to expose our children to sexual deviancy and perversion. You're talking about people that want to mutilate the bodies of our children, and they don't want our kids to get a good quality education. So I think that there's an incredible opportunity here for strong constitutional conservatives who just happen to have an R after their name to go against the Democrats and say, why do you hate children? I mean, that's the question that we should be asking. Why does this party have such an angst against children? They want to kill them in the womb after they're born, if they allow them to be born, they want to mutilate their bodies. They want to expose them to sexual deviancy and perversion. You know, we've got this thing in America now where the left is saying you can't say paedophiles anymore, Peter. You have to say minor attracted persons. Well, let me tell you something. I've got a two year old grandson, I got another grandson on the way. You will see someone come down on you like Thor if you mess with my grandsons. And so we've got to protect our kids. But with all that being said, they still don't want to educate them. They have a good future. I mean, it's appalling what is happening in the system of education in America where our kids can't read and do math at grade level. So yes, I think that this is an issue that should be talked about. It's an economic issue, because the more that you have future generations dependent upon the government, you know, who's going to pay for that? So we are dwindling our economic opportunities by way of lessening our educational opportunities.  Can I finish on something a little bit different? Your background is military and here in the UK we've had that with the royal family, we've had the military connection, we've had originally, traditionally, many serving the military going into public service in politics and I know you've also had that in the States. Is that becoming less so with military shrinking, with less influence? The route you've taken, is that not really as viable to others? Well, I will tell you that I come from a military family. My dad served in the Army in World War II in the European Theatre. My older brother was a Marine infantryman in Vietnam. My dad challenged me to be the first officer in our family when I was 15. And so I went through college ROTC and was commissioned in 1982, served 22 years. My nephew is a lieutenant colonel right now in the Army. My father-in-law did 24 years of service, two combat tours of Vietnam. Both of my son-in-laws are soldiers. And so that sense of generational service to the country, I think we're losing that. And as a matter of fact, it was about a month and a half ago, the current Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth, said that she doesn't want to recruit future soldiers from families that have generations of service to the country. Wants to look at a new and different type of recruit. Well, first of all, what a slap in the face to families that have had a lifelong commitment to this country of service and sacrifice and commitment. And I think everyone knows that the recruiting and retention in our military is down. Why? Because they're focusing all these social pet peeves and ideological agendas of the left. You cannot have an effective military fighting force if you're instituting cultural Marxism that says, well, you know, Peter, since your skin colour, you're bad, you're an oppressor, there's nothing you can do about that. Alan, because of your skin colour, you're a victim, you're oppressed. So how are we supposed to get in a foxhole together, Peter? How are we supposed to trust each other in a situation called combat? But yet that's what's happening in our military, and this whole emphasis on gender dysphoria, and how we're spending taxpayer money to allow, you know, soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines to take paid leave. To go and murder future generations of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines in their womb. We have got to change things in the Oval Office because the most important title for a president of the United States of America is Commander-in-Chief. Right now, when you think about what Joe Biden did with that debacle in Afghanistan, where 13 Americans unnecessarily lost their lives. Many others were wounded at Hamid Karzai International Airport, but the story is not told about the other Marines who have committed suicide because of that fateful day, and how so many feel that they were abandoned. I spent two and a half years in Afghanistan. So we have got to change things with the leadership of our military, especially the civilian side. When you've got a Secretary of Defence that's writing letters to females in the military saying that you just need to go ahead and be prepared for biological males to be in your shower and latrine facilities, that's not what the American people want to support in our military. Because the military in the US has been an institution that has united the country traditionally. You have much more respect, I think, for your military even than we have in Europe. And I kind of see that, as a foreigner looking in, as slowly unravelling. Is that a kind of fair assessment? It's a very fair assessment. And the thing is that it is not that the trust and confidence is lacking for the individual, the young troops, soldier, sailor, airman, marine. It's the lack of trust and confidence in the leadership of our military, be it the civilian leadership or the senior military leadership that is lacking. So until there are changes there, that lack of trust and confidence is going to continue. Colonel Allen West, I appreciate you coming on today and obviously the viewers can get more of your own steadfast and loyal podcast over on Rumble and elsewhere. And I will certainly take you up on your offer of understanding college football. I will sometime, but thank you so much for coming on and sharing your expertise and understanding what's happening stateside. Thank you, Peter. It's a pleasure and God bless you and God be with you.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Marine Corps Maj Max Nauta discusses his Master's thesis from the US Army Command and General Staff College entitled: Multinational Operations in Strategic Competition: Leveraging the Inherent Informational Aspects through Culture and Narrative. Strategic competitors have significantly increased their influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in ways that jeopardize US influence and threaten democratic governance. The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Russia do this by exploiting the ambiguity of gray zone activities, such as predatory, opaque lending practices and the spreading of disinformation. US Forces, Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) builds resiliency against these gray zone activities through transparency, which it promotes through cooperation activities to strengthen partnerships and build trust in LAC. SOUTHCOM accomplished this, in part, through Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC), whose mission was to conduct mutually beneficial engagements with partner nations (PN) to address shared challenges in the region. SPMAGTF-SC 15, 16, and 17 were US-only task forces. SPMAGTF-SC 18, however, became the first multinational task force. SPMAGTF-SC 19 grew on this by integrating ten PN officers from Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Belize, and the Dominican Republic. The author found that integrating PN officers into SPMAGTF-SC 18 and 19 exponentially strengthened partnerships in LAC at a relatively insignificant cost. This paper examines the degree to which integrating PN officers into SPMAGTF-SC 18 and 19 strengthened partnerships, and then compares those findings with theories on narrative and culture. In conclusion, the author presents the concept of a shared regional narrative and illuminates asymmetric characteristics of strategic competition in LAC. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #37 Bill Vivian on MCDP 1-4 Competing #89 Ajit Mann and Paul Cobaugh on Narrative #137 Vic Garcia and Mike Berger on Information Operations and Intelligence #151 Daniel Runde on Chinese Soft Power #148 Kalev Leetaru on GDELT Video Presentation: Multinational Operations in Strategic Competition: Leveraging the IIA through Culture and Narrative The Village by Bing West The Role of Information in U.S. Concepts for Strategic Competition. A RAND study by Chris Paul, Michael Schwille, Michael Vasseur, Elizabeth Bartels, and Ryan Bauer Artificial Intelligence Basics: A Non-Technical Introduction by Tom Taulli Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio:  Major Maxwell Nauta grew up in Chester Country, Pennsylvania, graduated from Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, and commissioned in the United States Marine Corps on March 18, 2011.  After Officer Candidate School, he attended The Basic School, Infantry Officer Course, and Light Armored Reconnaissance Leaders Course. In January 2012 he reported to 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance (LAR) Battalion, MCAGCC, 29 Palms, CA, where he served as an LAR Platoon Commander from February 2012 to June 2013.  In April 2012 Maj Nauta deployed as the senior Infantry Marine to New Zealand for the six-week joint, multinational exercise, Exercise Alam Halfa.  From December 2012 to June 2013 he and his platoon independently deployed to Okinawa, Japan reporting to 3rd Combat Assault Battalion under the Unit Deployment Program.  In June, he and his LAR platoon deployed to the Republic of Korea to participate in Exercise Ssang Yong 13, forming a multination LAR platoon with Australian Cavalry Soldiers. Upon returning from Okinawa, Japan, Maj Nauta served as the Assistant Operations Officer for 3rd LAR Battalion until March 2014 when he augmented into the Selected Marine Corps Reserve (SMCR). In the SMCR, Maj Nauta first reported to Company C, 4th LAR Battalion, Salt Lake City, Utah serving as a Platoon Commander from March 2014 to March 2015.  He then transferred to Headquarters Company, Combat Logistics Battalion 453 (CLB-453) in Aurora, Colorado, serving as the Headquarters Company Executive Officer until attending Supply Officers Course at Camp Johnson, North Carolina in August 2015. In January 2016, Maj Nauta activated to serve as the Supply Officer for Special Purpose Marine-Air Ground Task Force – Southern Command (SPMAGTF-SC) 16, deploying to Honduras.  Upon re-deployment in January 2017 he served as the Current Operations Officer, CLB-453. In January 2018, Maj Nauta activated to serve as the Liaison Officer to the U.S. Embassy in Honduras for SPMAGTF-SC 18. In March 2019, he reactivated as the Key Leadership Engagement Coordinator for SPMAGTF-SC 19, deploying throughout the Southern Command area of responsibility.  In preparation for this final SPMAGTF-SC deployment he attended the Civil Affairs Officers Course in March 2019.  Upon completion of SPMAGTF-SC 19 in February, 2019, he transferred to U. S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa (MARFOREUR/AF) and activated as an Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) serving as a Logistics Planner, G-4 and the Prepositioning Officer, MARFOREUR/AF. In October, 2021, he deactivated and was hired by Valiant Integrated Services as a Program Analysit in support of Africa Future Operations, G-35, MARFOREUR/AF. Maj Nauta is participating in U.S. Army Command and General Staff College's Information Advantage Scholars Program and is expected to transfer to Marine Corps Information Operations Center upon graduation. Maj Nauta's awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three Gold Stars in lieu of fourth award.  His formal education includes Infantry Officer Course, Light Armored Reconnaissance Leaders Course, Supply Officer Course, and Civil Affairs Officer Course and Expeditionary Warfare School. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Army MAJ Steve Schiovani discusses his Master's thesis from the US Army Command and General Staff College entitled: Lying, in Wait: Competitive Deception in the Indo-Pacific. The United States faces its stated pacing adversary, China, in competition in the Indo-Pacific region. As the Joint Force reorients, deception has re-emerged in updated doctrine as a competitive tool. The updated doctrine encourages the use of deception but provides little unclassified guidance on training or implementation of deception outside of tactical engagements. This thesis analyzes the foundations of strategic deception applied to the context of current US and Chinese competition in the Indo-Pacific region. Deception is modeled as a competitive wargame focused on the Indo-Pacific theater. Fundamental aspects of deception tied to US and Chinese strategic cultural lenses and objectives form the basis for the game's model. Analysis of the wider concept of deception reveals challenges and opportunities for the US in employing strategic deception below the level of armed conflict. This thesis offers an avenue for training deception planning using an experiential learning method. Research Question:  Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #146 Sebastian Bae on Gaming #90 Dave Acosta on Informationally Disadvantaged The Tao of Deception by Ralph Sawyer Lever of Power by Ralph Sawyer A Theory of Fun for Game Design by Raph Koster Counterdeception Principles and Applications for National Security by  Michael Bennett, Edward Waltz Information Warfare and Organizational Decision-Making by Alexander Kott Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-159 Guest Bio:  MAJ Steven Schiavoni commissioned in 2010 from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN. He started service as an Infantry Officer in the Pennsylvania National Guard where he served as a rifle platoon leader and battalion mortar platoon leader. In 2016 he transferred to the Army Reserve and became a Functional Area 30 - Information Operations officer. Since then he has served and deployed in multiple roles including company commander, sensitive activities planner, and information operations planner. He is a graduate of Infantry Basic Officer Leader's Course, Maneuver Captain's Career Course, FA-30 Qualification Course, and Basic Airborne Course among others. He is currently part of the Information Advantage Scholars Program at the Army's Command and General Staff Officers Course. In his civilian life, MAJ Schiavoni works as a Department of the Air Force civilian conducting Defense Cyber Operations as part of the 412th Communications Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Air Force MAJ Chris Mesnard discusses his Master's thesis from the US Army Command and General Staff College entitled: Describing and Forecasting Relevant-Actor Attitudes, Actions, and Behaviors via Narrative-Based Decision-Making. Planners at all echelons seek to transition the present state into one more desired and advantageous. This study explores the topic of transitioning to desired future states through the use of measurable story elements which can influence relevant actor attitudes, actions, and behaviors. Story is a well-researched cognitive process with unique elements enabling planners to use story elements as a framework in operational planning and assessment. Additionally, during the discovery phase of this study, the research identified a doctrinal gap in how joint planning doctrine describes the term narrative. The key takeaway from this study is that the mind thematically aligns stories and their elements into narratives, demonstrating a cognitive process that assists in an individual's understanding of reality and the possible decisions which logically fit into that reality. Using the understanding of stories and their elements, planners can better describe and forecast narrative-based decision-making exhibited through relevant actor attitudes, actions, and behaviors. Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #89 Ajit Mann and Paul Cobaugh on Narrative Watch and listen to the research presented here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6Xx3WMwQOE Communication models Transactional communication Thesis placeholder YouTube link of thesis defense:  Decision making: Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow Gary Klein's Seeing What Others Don't Narrative and story: Kendall Haven's Story Smart RAND 2021 study on Command Narrative -- Doctrine: MCDP-8 Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-156

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/intellectual-history

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/french-studies

"'The God of War' is near to revealing himself, because we have heard his prophet." So wrote Jean Colin, naming Napoleon the God of War and Jacques-Antoine-Hippolyte, comte de Guibert, as his prophet. Guibert was the foremost philosopher of the Military Enlightenment, dedicating his career to systematizing warfare in a single document. The result was his magnum opus, The General Essay on Tactics, which helped to lay the foundation for the success of French armies during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. In Jonathan Abel's Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (Brill, 2021), it is presented in English for the first time since the 1780s, with extensive annotation and contextualization. Jonathan Abel is Assistant Professor of Military History at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network.

Matt Louis is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army and is currently a leading expert in career transition for veterans and public service professionals. He is the author of the best-selling and award-winning book Mission Transition, which provides practical guidance for veterans, their families, and employers during the transition process. Matt serves as the veteran Transition Assistance officer for his West Point class, is a National Speaker for the US Chamber's Hiring Our Heroes program, advises the nonprofit Soldiers To Sidelines, and actively serves several other veteran collaboratives around the country. Matt holds an MBA in Operations and Finance from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from West Point, and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College. He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, holds the ASCM organization's Certified Supply Chain Professional designation, and is a certified Project Management Professional. In addition to his work with veterans, Matt is also the President of Purepost and previously led global strategy and transformation projects at Deloitte, the largest professional services firm in the world. Before Deloitte, Matt held global operational, production, and quality roles in multiple General Electric and Procter & Gamble divisions. He has also authored articles and reports for various publications and organizations, including Deloitte University Press and the Department of Defense. Matt's book Mission Transition has received multiple awards, including Gold Medals for Non-fiction Military and Business/Career/Sales at the 2022 International Readers' Favorite and 2021 eLit Book Awards, respectively. The book has also won several other awards, including the 2021 Nonfiction Authors Association Silver Book Award and the 2022 Global Book Awards Bronze Medal in the War & Military category. Matt is a sought-after speaker and advisor on veteran transition and is actively involved in various veteran collaboratives and organizations.

This week's AlphaMind podcast episode on fear and greed in trading features a true expert on the subject - Dr. Ken Long. Though retired from the US Army after 25 years' service where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Ken is still actively teaching as an Associate Professor at US Army Command & General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He is currently supervising multiple master's theses focused on applying AI to military decision making. Ken's trading journey began in the 1990s when he started investing in mutual funds. Since then, he's become an exceptional big-picture thinker and tactical trader. He has also applied his love of trading, teaching, and inspiring others, by delivering a series of workshops for the Van Tharp Institute. But that's not all, Ken has also completed a Ph.D in Organisational Development, and teaches at several universities including Colorado Tech University and City University, Seattle. Aside from being a teacher, student, and active trader, Ken is also a proud father of three, a husband, a martial artist, and youth football coach. But it's his insights on fear and greed in trading that share with you in this podcast. In our hour and a half interview, Ken shares his views, genius, and wisdom on the topic in a way that is sure to inspire and enlighten. You can find out more about Ken Long at his website Tortoise Capital Management You can follow him on Linkedin herePowering Performance in Global Markets AlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets. Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

On this Episode On this special two-part episode, you'll hear from two seasoned leadership consulting professionals who come from very different backgrounds, but work incredibly well together. One is a retired US Army Infantry Officer who has served in and prepared others to serve in combat zones for a number of years, while his colleague is an expert on the practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body-optimization, and self-regulation techniques for for greater wellbeing and improved performance. It's a wide ranging conversation about leadership and teamwork, and how to do both in incredibly challenging situations. About Our Guests Colleen Mizuki has a deep passion for helping people be at their best, to engage with the world in a way that fits their values, and strives to always provide the most up-to-date information and research-based techniques to optimize the brain-mind-body system. She has 20-years of experience in coaching and designing/delivering performance-enhancement, learning and development, and resilience programs. Her expertise and passion centers around programs based in the science and practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body optimization; and self-regulation for greater wellbeing and improved performance. She brings a unique background in psychotherapy and body-based therapy, coaching, training mindfulness/yoga practice and hard science. She has experience working a very diverse client base, including corporate, military, academic, diplomatic, social services, cyber (hackers), information technology R&D, and non-profit organizations with clients from over 25 countries. Colleen has a B.A. in French/Chinese/Economics, an A.A. in Laser Electro-optics Technology, and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology. Her certifications include the Hudson Institute of Coaching; Cultural Intelligence Center (CQ® and Unconscious Bias); Myers-Briggs (MBTI®); MHS (EQi/EQ360); HeartMath® Institute; Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence (ISEI®); Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT®); Somatic Experiencing® International (body-based trauma resolution); and, Idea Connection System, Inc. (ISPI®). She speaks fluent French and gets by in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Colonel (Retired) George Reynolds has accumulated over 43-years of combined experience within the Department of Defense (DoD) in uniform – U.S. Army – and as a federal employee, both civil service and contractor. During his Army career spanning thirty-one years – 28 as an officer –his key military areas of expertise included leadership development; force management and development; and tactical, operational, and strategic planning and execution in peacetime and combat. Throughout this entire period, George was a change manager, mentor, and developer of leaders. As a Department of Defense civil servant, George supported the NATO-led military operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Resolute Support) as a senior advisor. In this capacity, he provided critical guidance, advice, and mentorship in the areas of good governance and sustainable institutional capacity building to key leaders within the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan security ministries. As with his time in uniform, these missions called on his skills in change management and leadership development, and leveraged his emotional and cultural intelligence. Since 2015, George has served as program and course manager of the Defense Security Cooperation University's (DSCU) Ministry of Defense Advisors (MoDA) and Defense Advisors Program (DAP) training endeavors. During this time, he has planned, managed, and executed the training of over 400 career Department of Defense career employees and United States military service members enabling them to effectively serve globally with strategic partner countries at the ministerial/cabinet level. George Reynolds has a B.A. in Business Management, M.S. in Strategic Studies, and an M.A. in Military Studies. He is also a graduate of both the US Army War College and the US Army Command and General Staff College as well as the US Army Force Management School. Colleen and George are co-founders of Trellis Life Management, LLC., a leadership consultancy that teaches science-based techniques and use highly researched tools to bridge the gap from desiring improvement, increasing self-awareness, setting concrete goals, and, ultimately, to attaining sustained, meaningful change. They split their time helping people through Trellis Life Management and full-time jobs managing an intense 7-week program preparing senior DoD employees to work as advisors to ministers of defense across the globe. For a period of time, Colleen moved to another project under a different manager, in that case a 2-Star Marine General (Retired). What a lesson that was for Colleen in the impact of vastly different leadership capacities. The retired 2-Star created a hostile, toxic work environment, in sharp contrast with the leadership abilities and style of George. It's a great illustration of how we can all learn to become more effective relational leaders--no matter where we are in our careers. Connect with my Guests: george@trellislm.com colleen@trellislm.com On this Episode You'll Learn: Why mentors matter What it means to be a mission first people always leader How empathy makes us better leaders How to develop empathy What does it mean to integrate your brain-mind-body system into leadership practice Centering techniques that can reduce stress and improve how you respond to stressful situations   Connect with Dr. Mike:    Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com Book: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpatterson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always Episode Minute By Minute:   0:00 Dr. Mike's introduction to part 2 with Colonel George Reynolds and Colleen Mizuki 2:23 The conversation continues with what to do in response to people who are influential in a negative way 7:49 How to regulate the brain, mind, body system against the overload of information that occurs in life and high stress situations 10:58 But how do you actually do this during the day?  16:46 Here's one thing from George and Colleen that anyone can start doing right now 21:44 If you'd like to connect with George and Colleen here's how  

Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist? and The Critical Qur'an. He led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

On this special two-part episode, you'll hear from two seasoned leadership consulting professionals who come from very different backgrounds, but work incredibly well together. One is a retired US Army Infantry Officer who has served in and prepared others to serve in combat zones for a number of years, while his colleague is an expert on the practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body-optimization, and self-regulation techniques for for greater wellbeing and improved performance. It's a wide ranging conversation about leadership and teamwork, and how to do both in incredibly challenging situations. About Our Guests Colleen Mizuki has a deep passion for helping people be at their best, to engage with the world in a way that fits their values, and strives to always provide the most up-to-date information and research-based techniques to optimize the brain-mind-body system. She has 20-years of experience in coaching and designing/delivering performance-enhancement, learning and development, and resilience programs. Her expertise and passion centers around programs based in the science and practice of mindfulness techniques; brain-mind-body optimization; and self-regulation for greater wellbeing and improved performance. She brings a unique background in psychotherapy and body-based therapy, coaching, training mindfulness/yoga practice and hard science. She has experience working a very diverse client base, including corporate, military, academic, diplomatic, social services, cyber (hackers), information technology R&D, and non-profit organizations with clients from over 25 countries. Colleen has a B.A. in French/Chinese/Economics, an A.A. in Laser Electro-optics Technology, and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology. Her certifications include the Hudson Institute of Coaching; Cultural Intelligence Center (CQ® and Unconscious Bias); Myers-Briggs (MBTI®); MHS (EQi/EQ360); HeartMath® Institute; Institute for Social and Emotional Intelligence (ISEI®); Mindfulness-based Mind Fitness Training (MMFT®); Somatic Experiencing® International (body-based trauma resolution); and, Idea Connection System, Inc. (ISPI®). She speaks fluent French and gets by in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish. Colonel (Retired) George Reynolds has accumulated over 43-years of combined experience within the Department of Defense (DoD) in uniform – U.S. Army – and as a federal employee, both civil service and contractor. During his Army career spanning thirty-one years – 28 as an officer –his key military areas of expertise included leadership development; force management and development; and tactical, operational, and strategic planning and execution in peacetime and combat. Throughout this entire period, George was a change manager, mentor, and developer of leaders. As a Department of Defense civil servant, George supported the NATO-led military operations in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Resolute Support) as a senior advisor. In this capacity, he provided critical guidance, advice, and mentorship in the areas of good governance and sustainable institutional capacity building to key leaders within the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan security ministries. As with his time in uniform, these missions called on his skills in change management and leadership development, and leveraged his emotional and cultural intelligence. Since 2015, George has served as program and course manager of the Defense Security Cooperation University's (DSCU) Ministry of Defense Advisors (MoDA) and Defense Advisors Program (DAP) training endeavors. During this time, he has planned, managed, and executed the training of over 400 career Department of Defense career employees and United States military service members enabling them to effectively serve globally with strategic partner countries at the ministerial/cabinet level. George Reynolds has a B.A. in Business Management, M.S. in Strategic Studies, and an M.A. in Military Studies. He is also a graduate of both the US Army War College and the US Army Command and General Staff College as well as the US Army Force Management School. Colleen and George are co-founders of Trellis Life Management, LLC., a leadership consultancy that teaches science-based techniques and use highly researched tools to bridge the gap from desiring improvement, increasing self-awareness, setting concrete goals, and, ultimately, to attaining sustained, meaningful change. They split their time helping people through Trellis Life Management and full-time jobs managing an intense 7-week program preparing senior DoD employees to work as advisors to ministers of defense across the globe. For a period of time, Colleen moved to another project under a different manager, in that case a 2-Star Marine General (Retired). What a lesson that was for Colleen in the impact of vastly different leadership capacities. The retired 2-Star created a hostile, toxic work environment, in sharp contrast with the leadership abilities and style of George. It's a great illustration of how we can all learn to become more effective relational leaders--no matter where we are in our careers. Connect with my Guests: george@trellislm.com colleen@trellislm.com On this Episode You'll Learn: Why mentors matter What it means to be a mission first people always leader How empathy makes us better leaders How to develop empathy What does it mean to integrate your brain-mind-body system into leadership practice Centering techniques that can reduce stress and improve how you respond to stressful situations   Connect with Dr. Mike:  Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com Book: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpatterson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always Episode Minute By Minute: 0:00 Dr. Mike's introduction to Colonel George Reynolds and Colleen Mizuki 6:53 The 2 things can Colonel George Reynolds boil success down to? 13:43 Doesn't being mentored require a good dose of humility? 16:34 How important is empathy to effective leadership? 23:27 What does it mean to be a Mission First People Always leader and what does it look like? 28:18 What are we talking about when we say Brain, Mind, Body System? 31:12 How is the Brain, Mind, Body System practical applied for leaders?  

Our guest today is Ricardo Herrera. Rick is a Visiting Professor in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He received his BA from the University of California, Los Angeles (also known as UCLA) and his PhD in History from Marquette University. Before joining the Army War College, Rick was Professor of Military History in the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS) at the US Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He also served six years at the Combat Studies Institute of the US Army Combined Arms Center in Fort Leavenworth. Rick has had a long career in professional military education, but he began as an Assistant Professor of History and then as Chair of the Department of History and Geography at Texas Lutheran University in Seguin, Texas. He moved on to Ohio, serving as an Assistant Professor of History at Mount Union College. But before all of that, Rick served as an Armor and Cavalry officer in the US Army. Rick is the author of Feeding Washington's Army: Surviving the Valley Forge Winter of 1778 (University of North Carolina Press). His first book, Liberty and the Republic: The American Citizen as Soldier, 1775-1861, appeared with New York University Press. He is currently editing a collection of letters and a journal tentatively titled A Most Uncommon Soldier: The Letters and Journal of Edward Ashley Bowen Phelps, 1846-1848, which will be published with the University Press of Kansas. In addition, Rick has published numerous book chapters and prize-winning articles. If you want to know how to apply for research fellowships, ask Rick; he's received a bucket-full. In 2021-2022, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Maynooth University Arts & Humanities Institute at the National University of Ireland. He was a Residential Research Fellow at The Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington in Mount Vernon, Virginia, from 2016-2017. Rick held a Residential Research Fellowship at the David Library of the American Revolution in 2014-2015 and a Society for the History of the Early American Republic/Mellon Faculty Research Stipend in Early American History in 2005. In 2020, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society - we think that's a big deal. Join us for a wonderful chat with Rick about growing up in LA, Woody Strode, George Washington, leading staff rides, The Blasters, and what makes a proper Manhattan! Shoutout to Q39 BBQ in Kansas City! Rec.: 02/09/2023

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, US Air Force LtCol Dan “Plato” Morabito discusses his theory of information warfare. Plato takes what may be considered a first principles approach by defining objectively information, knowledge, and problems with knowing. Then, he assembles a novel taxonomy of information warfare which combines trust, access, and cognition–all of which are required for knowledge creation. After discussing “problems of knowing,” he defines information warfare and a theory for victory. Research Question: What is the role of the US Government to counter malign influence when the enemy is fighting for a strategic advantage directly with America's center of gravity, the American people, and can this be accomplished while preserving freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and other democratic principles? Resources: How We Lost the Information War of 2028 (December 2021) by Dan “Plato” Morabito National Security and the Third-Road Threat: Toward a Comprehensive Theory of Information Warfare (Fall 2021) by Dan “Plato” Morabito Cyber Persistence Theory: Redefining National Security in Cyberspace by Emily Goldman, Michael Fischerkeller, and Richard Harknett Why America Loses Wars: Limited War and US Strategy from the Korean War to the Present by Donald Stoker Link to full show notes and resources https://information-professionals.org/episode/cognitive-crucible-episode-134 Guest Bio:  Lieutenant Colonel Daniel “Plato” Morabito, commander of the 834th Cyberspace Operations Squadron, 67th Cyberspace Wing, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, holds a master of science in leadership and information technology from Duquesne University, a master of science in cyberspace operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a master of military operational art and science from the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and a master of arts in military operations from the US Army Command and General Staff College. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

Guest: LTC Allen West   Listen to LTC Allen West on his podcast Steadfast & Loyal on all the podcast platforms.   Bio from the Young America's Foundation (YAF) website:   Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen, all combat veterans, in his family. West was commissioned through ROTC at the University of Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) on July 31, 1982. He entered active duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne and jumpmaster training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course. He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of honorable service in defense of the Republic. In November of 2010, Allen was honored to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, West introduced seven major pieces of legislation, and was the original sponsor of H. R. 1246 which reduces costs at the Department of Defense, was passed unanimously (393-0), and signed into law by President Obama as part of the National Defense Authorization Act. Congressman West voted for the Balanced Budget Amendment, and voted for over 30 different bills designed to empower small businesses, reduce government barriers to job creation, boost American competitiveness, encourage entrepreneurship and growth, and maximize American energy production. West holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers.   LTC West tells the story of a young soldier Audie Murphy, a boy from Texas who joined the military and became the most decorated soldier during WWII.   What is it about the military that it was able to take a young boy and turn him into a man? West talks about the “crucible of combat” and the challenges that boys are looking for to help mold them into men - to be “All that they can be”!   Today's culture is pushing back and “canceling” anything that makes anyone uncomfortable or allowing one person to stand out above another - the military of tomorrow will face greater challenges in molding and shaping the men of tomorrow!   Can a young man find this “formula” of “do hard things” outside the military? West suggests that a young man start with reading the Bible and specifically recommends the life lessons found in Romans 5 that talks about “rejoicing in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope…” West also recommends that young people don't quit when they run into adversity - learn to push through tough times West suggests that a young man START with solidifying their spiritual foundation - before they build their lives and careers, having a solid foundation is the key to a successful life! West warns against the current culture that celebrates “immediate gratification” - good things are worth the wait. Learn to have that “stick-to-itivness” West warns about the culture of the “participation trophy” - giving a reward for doing “nothing” - as LTC West says you have to “learn to pay the extra nickel if you want to go first class”  

Our guest this episode is a true American hero. Lt Col Allen West served in the Military for 20 years, was deployed to Kuwait and Iraq and after his retirement he went to Afghanistan as a civilian military adviser to the Afghan army. Back in the US he has served his country politically in Congress. His time as Chair of the Republican party in Texas has particularly made him a target of hate from the deranged left. His voice of common sense comes from his military and political experience, his strong morals and family values, and these combined have made him a force for good. With true patriots like Lt Col Allen West(ret) we may just win the culture war that we are all fighting. Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighbourhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen, all combat veterans, in his family. West was commissioned through ROTC at the University of Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) on July 31, 1982. He entered active-duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne and jumpmaster training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course. He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of honourable service in defence of the Republic. In November of 2010, Allen was honoured to continue his oath of service to his country when he was elected to the United States Congress, representing Florida's 22nd District. As a member of the 112th Congress, West introduced seven major pieces of legislation, and was the original sponsor of H. R. 1246 which reduces costs at the Department of Defence, was passed unanimously (393-0), and signed into law by President Obama as part of the National Defence Authorization Act. Congressman West voted for the Balanced Budget Amendment, and voted for over 30 different bills designed to empower small businesses, reduce government barriers to job creation, boost American competitiveness, encourage entrepreneurship and growth, and maximize American energy production. West holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. He is the former Executive Director of the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas Texas. West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. Steadfast & Loyal Podcast https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/b58w7-26cd73/Allen-West-%7C-Steadfast--Loyal-Podcast Hold Texas, Hold the Nation: Victory or Death by Lt Col Allen B West (ret) available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Texas-Nation-Victory-Death/dp/1612542980 During the interview Allen brings up the viral clip of him being asked ‘Do you identify as black?'. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/o68OWCd2fLg He also talks about the documentary ‘Uncle Tom '. Watch it here: https://www.uncletom.com/ Follow and support Allen at the following links GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/AllenWest Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllenWest?s=20&t=xdPqNPtV13hYDp0RSja_Iw Gab: https://gab.com/AllenWest The ACRU The American Constitutional Rights Union GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/theacru Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_ACRU YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/theacru Interview recorded 20.7.22 *Special thanks to Bosch Fawstin for recording our intro/outro on this podcast. Check out his art https://theboschfawstinstore.blogspot.com/ and follow him on GETTR https://gettr.com/user/BoschFawstin To sign up for our weekly email, find our social media, podcasts, video, livestream platforms and more go to https://heartsofoak.org/find-us/ Please like, subscribe and share

The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars profoundly affected all of Europe and became watersheds in the history of strategy. Until then, French thinking on war had dominated European discourse for a good two centuries, even though the word ‘strategy' had not yet been imported into European languages from the Greek. Crucial among the French thinkers of this period was Comte de Guibert (1743–1790), who has been called the prophet of the wars of the French Revolution, foreseeing the transformation of war into the people's cause, rather than merely that of their monarchs. In a republican spirit, Guibert dedicated his first work, the General Essay on Tactics, ‘to my fatherland' – reason enough to publish it anonymously, even though he noted that the king was part of his fatherland! Guibert – like Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz – changed some of his fundamental views during his lifetime. In his youth, Guibert wrote what would become a bestseller throughout the Western world, in which he made the case for an army of citizen-soldiers who would be unbeatable. However, after fighting in the French conquest of Corsica and then serving in the French War Ministry, he decided that overseas campaigns required a professional army. The arguments he put forward still stand up to scrutiny today. To discuss Guibert and his works, we are joined by Dr Jonathan Abel, Assistant Professor of Military History, US Army Command and General Staff College, the author of Guibert: Father of Napoleon's Grande Armée (2016) and translator of Guibert's General Essay on Tactics (2021).

Russia's Invasion of Ukraine disproves many recent predictions about the future of war. This includes the predictions about the death of the law of war. The perception of the legitimacy of war depends in large part on seemingly ancient notions of Jus Ad Bellum and Jus in Bello. The war in Ukraine shows that legitimacy, or loss of legitimacy, has serious consequences.   For more information on the material in this podcast see:   “The End of History”: https://www.c-span.org/video/?24282-1/the-end-history-man   “The Laws of War on Land”: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/Article.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=B06FB334DC14CBD1C12563CD00515767   “Should the Laws of War Apply to Terrorists?” https://www.jstor.org/stable/25658249   “On the Nature of War”: Helmuth von Moltke: http://www.gwpda.org/1914m/moltke.html   Defense Department Law of War Manual: https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/DoD Law of War Manual - June 2015 Updated Dec 2016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13-172036-190   "Russia's military is incompetent. That makes it more dangerous." https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/03/17/russia-military-failing-dangerous/   Col. Christopher T. Mayer, US Army Retired, is a former instructor of the US Army Command and General Staff College and the Naval War College, guest lecturer on national security at academic institutions in the United States and Europe, and developed operational and organizational concepts for future warfare. He is a veteran of combat operations in Iraq and peacekeeping operations in Africa and the Balkans.  

Released  26 May 2022. This podcast examines critical issues for the field of strategic studies raised by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including the waning of major war, strategic coercion, and “War Amongst the People.” Drawing on previous scholarship and current events, this commentary considers the questions raised by the first major war of the twenty-first century. It provides recommendations for scholars and senior leaders on how to work together to address the questions of strategy and policy that have and continue to arise as the war progresses. Click here to read the article. Keywords: Russia, Ukraine, strategic coercion, gray zone, compellence Author information: Dr. Antulio J. Echevarria II had a distinguished career in the US Army and is currently the editor-in-chief of the US Army War College Press, which includes Parameters. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, the US Army Command and General Staff College, and the US Army War College. He holds a doctorate in modern history from Princeton University and is the author of six books, including War's Logic: Strategic Thought and the American Way of War (2021), Military Strategy: A Very Short Introduction (2017), Reconsidering the American Way of War (2014), Clausewitz and Contemporary War (2007), Imagining Future War (2007), and After Clausewitz (2001), and more than 100 articles and monographs on strategic thinking, military theory, and military history.

One of the three pillars of the Human Experience is to lead, and today's guest is an outstanding example of what true leadership embodies. Oakland McCullooch spent 23 years in the Army and held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches. He assisted in disaster relief operations for Hurricane Hugo in Charleston, SC and Hurricane Andrew in South Florida. He has also held instructor positions at the US Army Ordnance School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College, University of South Alabama and Stetson University. During his most recent position in the Army, he spent 3 years as the Professor of Military Science at the University of South Alabama where he led the training and commissioning of Lieutenants and tripled the size of the program.Oakland retired from the Army in September 2009 and joined the staff at the Bay Area Food Bank as the Associate Director. He left the food bank in December 2010 to become the Senior Military Science Instructor and recruiter for the Army ROTC program at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In October 2013, he became the Recruiting Operations Officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he has more than doubled the size of the program. In 2019, Cadet Command selected LTC McCulloch as the top recruiting officer, out of 274 others. He received thirty-one military service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.In today's episode of Lead, Sell, Grow: The Human Experience, Oakland shares his experience in the army and the many lessons he learned about true leadership along the way. While many might think that being a leader just means telling others what to do, Oakland emphasizes that leadership is about people and that being a servant leader is what it is all about. People need to know that you have their best interest in mind in order for you to be able to lead them, otherwise you will end up with people that might get work done for you, but passion and motivation are the key pieces that are lacking. Tune in to hear all about Oakland's insight on how you can be a truly effective leader that people want to follow.Key highlights:● Oakland's background in the army leading up to his retirement in 2009● Oakland's reasons for being passionate about leadership● Lessons Oakland learned from being an army officer● Leadership is leadership- it doesn't matter where you practice it● People need to know that you have their best interest in mind to be able to lead them● Leadership is all about people and all about trust, if you lose trust or respect, people won't work very hard for you● The power of showing people you care about them● It is a privilege to being able to lead people- it's not about the title and more pay● Servant leadership is key● Leaders make a difference in people's lives● What can people do to improve their leadership skills?● What do good leaders do?● You need to be good at motivating people by finding a sense of purpose in their lives, a paycheck isn't enough motivation● How to get motivated in your leadership position● Why all leaders need a “Napoleon's corporal”● Why he wrote a book and what opportunities it led to● Our country is in need of good leadershipEpisode resources: ● Get Oakland's book: Your Leadership LegacyQuote from the episode:“It's mission first, people always.”Connect with Oakland: Website: www.ltcoakmcculloch.comLinkedInInstagram @ltcoakmccullochTwitter @LtcOaklandFacebookConnect with Eric: Be sure to connect with us in our Lead Sell Grow – The Human Experience Tribe Facebook group: Pick up your copy of B2B Sales SecretsLearn more about our services: www.TheGoalGuide.comImprove your sales and stay connected – Free Gifts Here https://shor.by/TheGoalGuide

The Congressional Medal of Honor is the United States government's highest and most prestigious military decoration. The stories associated with earning such an award are often inspiring, sad, and in many cases, down right unbelievable. If you ever have the chance to sit down with one of these individuals, I highly recommend you do. On todays episode I am humbled to welcome Medal of Honor recipient, and legendary story teller, Ret. US Army Command SgtMaj Bob Patterson, who, after his HS girlfriend pissed him off, decided to join the Army. We talk about his adventures in Vietnam, the day he earned the Medal of Honor, and plenty of stories that you just cant make up, like seeing two WWII legends in their annual fist fight. Enjoy!

GUEST OVERVIEW: Robert Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist?. He led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

The American Army in Germany, 1918–1923: Success against the Odds (UP of Kansas, 2021) by Dean A. Nowowiejski fills a gap in American military and political history through thorough research and a compelling narrative of the Rhineland occupation. After the armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front in World War I, the Third US Army marched into the American occupation zone around the city of Koblenz, Germany, in December 1918. American forces remained there as part of an “inter-Allied” coalition until early 1923. Nowowiejski reintroduces us to a successful military-diplomat, Major General Henry T. Allen, who faced two major challenges: build an efficient army and handle the complexity of working with the Allied powers of France, Britain, and Belgium in the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission (IARHC). Allen's ability to balance the interests of the French with those of the occupied Germans made him an indispensable participant in the High Commission. As the French sought revenge and added security against Germany, Allen moderated their actions with diplomatic skill. When the French sent forces into Germany in 1920 and 1921, Allen ensured that the US zone around Koblenz remained free of French interference. These achievements were without the support of the administration, and Congress had no desire to take part in European affairs. Allen also had to create a competent American army in the Rhineland so that the Allied powers and the Germans would respect American views and interests. He successfully took a large number of new recruits, who replaced World War I combat veterans, and molded them into a professional fighting force. As a result, the American Forces in Germany became an exemplar for the entire US Army and a symbol to the Allies and Germans of American power and resolve. This force competently accomplished the difficult task of postwar occupation according to the highest international standards. The US administration made the decision in 1922 to radically cut back the size of Allen's army, and in 1923 to remove all US troops from Germany. The author analyzes this withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” for US leverage on diplomatic developments in Europe. Dean A. Nowowiejski is the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for the Art of War and director, Art of War Scholars Program, US Army Command and General Staff College. Alex Beckstrand is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, a lecturer at Central Connecticut State University, and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves. He works in the aerospace industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

The American Army in Germany, 1918–1923: Success against the Odds (UP of Kansas, 2021) by Dean A. Nowowiejski fills a gap in American military and political history through thorough research and a compelling narrative of the Rhineland occupation. After the armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front in World War I, the Third US Army marched into the American occupation zone around the city of Koblenz, Germany, in December 1918. American forces remained there as part of an “inter-Allied” coalition until early 1923. Nowowiejski reintroduces us to a successful military-diplomat, Major General Henry T. Allen, who faced two major challenges: build an efficient army and handle the complexity of working with the Allied powers of France, Britain, and Belgium in the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission (IARHC). Allen's ability to balance the interests of the French with those of the occupied Germans made him an indispensable participant in the High Commission. As the French sought revenge and added security against Germany, Allen moderated their actions with diplomatic skill. When the French sent forces into Germany in 1920 and 1921, Allen ensured that the US zone around Koblenz remained free of French interference. These achievements were without the support of the administration, and Congress had no desire to take part in European affairs. Allen also had to create a competent American army in the Rhineland so that the Allied powers and the Germans would respect American views and interests. He successfully took a large number of new recruits, who replaced World War I combat veterans, and molded them into a professional fighting force. As a result, the American Forces in Germany became an exemplar for the entire US Army and a symbol to the Allies and Germans of American power and resolve. This force competently accomplished the difficult task of postwar occupation according to the highest international standards. The US administration made the decision in 1922 to radically cut back the size of Allen's army, and in 1923 to remove all US troops from Germany. The author analyzes this withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” for US leverage on diplomatic developments in Europe. Dean A. Nowowiejski is the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for the Art of War and director, Art of War Scholars Program, US Army Command and General Staff College. Alex Beckstrand is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, a lecturer at Central Connecticut State University, and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves. He works in the aerospace industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

The American Army in Germany, 1918–1923: Success against the Odds (UP of Kansas, 2021) by Dean A. Nowowiejski fills a gap in American military and political history through thorough research and a compelling narrative of the Rhineland occupation. After the armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front in World War I, the Third US Army marched into the American occupation zone around the city of Koblenz, Germany, in December 1918. American forces remained there as part of an “inter-Allied” coalition until early 1923. Nowowiejski reintroduces us to a successful military-diplomat, Major General Henry T. Allen, who faced two major challenges: build an efficient army and handle the complexity of working with the Allied powers of France, Britain, and Belgium in the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission (IARHC). Allen's ability to balance the interests of the French with those of the occupied Germans made him an indispensable participant in the High Commission. As the French sought revenge and added security against Germany, Allen moderated their actions with diplomatic skill. When the French sent forces into Germany in 1920 and 1921, Allen ensured that the US zone around Koblenz remained free of French interference. These achievements were without the support of the administration, and Congress had no desire to take part in European affairs. Allen also had to create a competent American army in the Rhineland so that the Allied powers and the Germans would respect American views and interests. He successfully took a large number of new recruits, who replaced World War I combat veterans, and molded them into a professional fighting force. As a result, the American Forces in Germany became an exemplar for the entire US Army and a symbol to the Allies and Germans of American power and resolve. This force competently accomplished the difficult task of postwar occupation according to the highest international standards. The US administration made the decision in 1922 to radically cut back the size of Allen's army, and in 1923 to remove all US troops from Germany. The author analyzes this withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” for US leverage on diplomatic developments in Europe. Dean A. Nowowiejski is the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for the Art of War and director, Art of War Scholars Program, US Army Command and General Staff College. Alex Beckstrand is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, a lecturer at Central Connecticut State University, and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves. He works in the aerospace industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/military-history

The American Army in Germany, 1918–1923: Success against the Odds (UP of Kansas, 2021) by Dean A. Nowowiejski fills a gap in American military and political history through thorough research and a compelling narrative of the Rhineland occupation. After the armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front in World War I, the Third US Army marched into the American occupation zone around the city of Koblenz, Germany, in December 1918. American forces remained there as part of an “inter-Allied” coalition until early 1923. Nowowiejski reintroduces us to a successful military-diplomat, Major General Henry T. Allen, who faced two major challenges: build an efficient army and handle the complexity of working with the Allied powers of France, Britain, and Belgium in the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission (IARHC). Allen's ability to balance the interests of the French with those of the occupied Germans made him an indispensable participant in the High Commission. As the French sought revenge and added security against Germany, Allen moderated their actions with diplomatic skill. When the French sent forces into Germany in 1920 and 1921, Allen ensured that the US zone around Koblenz remained free of French interference. These achievements were without the support of the administration, and Congress had no desire to take part in European affairs. Allen also had to create a competent American army in the Rhineland so that the Allied powers and the Germans would respect American views and interests. He successfully took a large number of new recruits, who replaced World War I combat veterans, and molded them into a professional fighting force. As a result, the American Forces in Germany became an exemplar for the entire US Army and a symbol to the Allies and Germans of American power and resolve. This force competently accomplished the difficult task of postwar occupation according to the highest international standards. The US administration made the decision in 1922 to radically cut back the size of Allen's army, and in 1923 to remove all US troops from Germany. The author analyzes this withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” for US leverage on diplomatic developments in Europe. Dean A. Nowowiejski is the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for the Art of War and director, Art of War Scholars Program, US Army Command and General Staff College. Alex Beckstrand is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, a lecturer at Central Connecticut State University, and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves. He works in the aerospace industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/american-studies

The American Army in Germany, 1918–1923: Success against the Odds (UP of Kansas, 2021) by Dean A. Nowowiejski fills a gap in American military and political history through thorough research and a compelling narrative of the Rhineland occupation. After the armistice ended the fighting on the Western Front in World War I, the Third US Army marched into the American occupation zone around the city of Koblenz, Germany, in December 1918. American forces remained there as part of an “inter-Allied” coalition until early 1923. Nowowiejski reintroduces us to a successful military-diplomat, Major General Henry T. Allen, who faced two major challenges: build an efficient army and handle the complexity of working with the Allied powers of France, Britain, and Belgium in the Inter-Allied Rhineland High Commission (IARHC). Allen's ability to balance the interests of the French with those of the occupied Germans made him an indispensable participant in the High Commission. As the French sought revenge and added security against Germany, Allen moderated their actions with diplomatic skill. When the French sent forces into Germany in 1920 and 1921, Allen ensured that the US zone around Koblenz remained free of French interference. These achievements were without the support of the administration, and Congress had no desire to take part in European affairs. Allen also had to create a competent American army in the Rhineland so that the Allied powers and the Germans would respect American views and interests. He successfully took a large number of new recruits, who replaced World War I combat veterans, and molded them into a professional fighting force. As a result, the American Forces in Germany became an exemplar for the entire US Army and a symbol to the Allies and Germans of American power and resolve. This force competently accomplished the difficult task of postwar occupation according to the highest international standards. The US administration made the decision in 1922 to radically cut back the size of Allen's army, and in 1923 to remove all US troops from Germany. The author analyzes this withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” for US leverage on diplomatic developments in Europe. Dean A. Nowowiejski is the Ike Skelton Distinguished Chair for the Art of War and director, Art of War Scholars Program, US Army Command and General Staff College. Alex Beckstrand is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Connecticut, a lecturer at Central Connecticut State University, and an officer in the Marine Corps Reserves. He works in the aerospace industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/european-studies

Dr. Paul Berg, is a professor at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. He guides teachers on accommodating students with PTSD in military classrooms . He notes the effects of trauma and learning as studied in his dissertation and works to provide resources for veterans and first responders to tend to their mental and emotional well-being.By practicing yoga.Breathing techniques and meditation are an imperative asset to Paul's trainings - in calming the mind and soothing impeding anxieties. Paul served for the military as a helicopter pilot for over twenty years, including four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. We chat over Paul's military history and what all changed within the organization during his terms. Stress and war trauma impacted Paul's sense of safety and caused great strain on his neck, turning him to consider surgery after retirement. When Paul's doctor recommended yoga, Paul called his local studio and tried his first restorative class. It was after that moment that Paul started studying meditation and yoga as tool to center, move energy through the body and calm the central nervous system.Paul emphasizes how veterans don't want the label, they want to be treated like everyone else, and to see PTSD as very real and something to tend to for your students, employees, family and friends.Thank you for tuning in and if you haven't already, be sure to follow us at @yogabrainkc on Instagram and sign up for our email list via our website.Special GuestDr. Paul Berg@ptcbergHost & ProducerJenny Martin@jenny.eats.the.worldExecutive EditorMatt Thomas@mattyboytomtom"Kismet" SongConnor Yeager@trippysippycjsupport our podcast by sharing with your friends on social media, email & textandsaying *thank you* with a donation 

I'm so honored to have Oakland McCulloch on the podcast as he shares his decades of wisdom navigating leadership in the military and beyond! Oakland McCulloch was born in Loudon, Tennessee, and raised in Kirkland, Illinois.  After graduating from high school, he attend the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years.  He then graduated from Northern Illinois University and received his commission as an Infantry Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Course in 1986.       In his 23 year career in the Army Oak McCulloch held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches.  He assisted in disaster relief operations for Hurricane HUGO in Charleston, South Carolina and Hurricane ANDREW in south Florida.  His operational deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a Generals Aide-de-Camp, the Congressional Liaison Officer in support of operations in Bosnia and the Operations Officer during a Peace Keeping deployment to Kosovo.  He held instructor positions at the US Army Ordnance School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College, University of South Alabama, and Stetson University.  His last position in the Army was a three-year tour as the Professor of Military Science at the University of South Alabama where he led the training and commissioning of Lieutenants and tripled the size of the program in his three-year tour. LTC McCulloch retired from the Army in September 2009 with over 23 years of active service and joined the staff at the Bay Area Food Bank as the Associate Director.  He was also the Vice Chair for Military Affairs on the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Mobile Rotary International Club.  LTC McCulloch left the food bank in December 2010 to become the Senior Military Science Instructor and recruiter for the Army ROTC program at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In his 9 years at Stetson, the program grew from 15 Cadets to over 100 Cadets.  In October 2013, he became the Recruiting Operations Officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he has more than doubled the size of the program in 6 years.  Cadet Command selected LTC McCulloch as the top recruiting officer, out of 274 recruiters, for 2019.  LTC Oak McCulloch published his first book in February 2021 – “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be”.       LTC McCulloch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Northern Illinois University in 1987 and a Master of Military Arts and Science in History from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2002.  He received thirty-one military service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals, and the Humanitarian Service Medal.You can find his book here - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Leadership-Legacy-Becoming-Leader/dp/1952037107

Jim Willbanks is one of the most interesting military historians you'll come across. Born in Texas and a graduate of “that school” in College Station, Jim was commissioned as a young lieutenant through ROTC at Texas A&M University. He not long after found himself as an advisor with an ARVN regiment in South Vietnam during the 1972 Easter Offensive, during which he was wounded and decorated for heroism under fire. He spent twenty-three years in the Army, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. His decorations include the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star with “V” and Oak Leaf Cluster, two Purple Hearts, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with two Silver Stars. If that wasn't enough, Jim graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) with honors, then was selected for the inaugural class of the new Army School for Advanced Military Studies (SAMS). He earned a Ph.D. in history at the University of Kansas, beginning a long and distinguished career as a military historian and instructor in military history at CGSC, where he also served as head of the Department of Military History for several years. Jim is the author or editor of fourteen books, including A Raid Too Far (Texas A&M Press, 2014), Abandoning Vietnam (University Press of Kansas, 2004), The Battle of An Loc (Indiana University Press, 2005), The Tet Offensive: A Concise History (Columbia University Press, 2006), and most recently Danger 79er: The Life and Times of Lieutenant General James F. Hollingsworth (Texas A&M Press, 2018). A dedicated servant of the military history profession, Jim served on the Board of Trustees for the Society for Military History, the Board of Editors for the Journal of Military History, and is on the Editorial Board for Modern War Studies at the University Press of Kansas. He and his work have been highlighted in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, US News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, Army Times, Stars and Stripes, and PBS, where he consulted and appeared in Ken Burns' Vietnam series. Now retired, Jim remains as active in the profession as ever and is Aggie as ever. We'll chat with Jim about being a veteran of the war he now studies, working with Ken Burns, and the value of history in professional military education. Join us! Rec. 11/04/2021

Thank you so much for joining us! It's a true honor to get to speak with Dr. Don Huber Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University. You'll want to read Dr. Huber's full bio in the show notes. He is a pioneer in his field, his experience, knowledge, and understanding of plant pathology and physiology is simply remarkable. The AgEmerge podcast is committed to asking tough questions and seeking solutions. The work Dr. Huber began stemmed from one question he wanted to answer, “why crop rotation has such a dramatic effect on many of the plant diseases.” That one question lead to over 55 years of research into the study of soil, microbial ecology, microbial interactions, parasite relationships, and nutrient disease relationships. In 1997 and again in 2001 Monte heard Dr. Huber speak on several topics including glyphosate, which spurred Monte on to eliminate glyphosate from his own farm. Dr. Huber's Bio Dr. Don M. Huber, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology at Purdue University, holds B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Idaho (1957, 1959), a Ph-D from Michigan State University (1963), and is a graduate of the US Army Command & General Staff College, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and National Security Program. He was Cereal Pathologist at the University of Idaho for 8 years before joining the Department of Botany & Plant Pathology at Purdue University in 1971. His agricultural research for the past 55 years has focused on the epidemiology and control of soilborne plant pathogens with emphasis on microbial ecology, cultural and biological controls, nutrient-disease interactions, pesticide-disease interactions, physiology of host-parasite relationships, and techniques for rapid microbial identification. Dr. Huber has had several concurrent careers including 14 years as a professional labor-relations conciliator with 7 years of service on the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board as a Mediator/Fact-Finder/Conciliator. He retired in 1995 as Associate Director of the Armed Forces Medical Intelligence Center (Colonel Retired, U.S. Army) (now the National Center for Medical Intelligence, NCMI) after 41+ years of active and reserve military service during which time he also commanded A strategic Medical Intelligence Detachment for 8 years with the US Army Medical Intelligence and Information Agency and Office of the Surgeon General. Dr. Huber is a past Chairman of the USDA-APS National Plant Disease Recovery System; a member of the US Threat Pathogens Committee; former member of the Advisory Board for the Office of Technology Assessment, U.S. Congress (now Congressional Research Service); and Global Epidemiology and Quadripartite Medical Working Groups of the Office of the US Surgeon General (OTSG). He is author or co-author of over 300 journal articles, Experiment Station Bulletins, book chapters and review articles; five books, and 84 special invited publications; and an active scientific reviewer; speaker; consultant to academia, industry, and government; and international research cooperator. Got questions you want answered? Send them our way and we'll do our best to research and find answers. Know someone you think would be great on the AgEmerge 2021 stage or on the podcast? Send your questions or suggestions to kim@asn.farm We'd love to hear from you!

Oakland McCulloch was born in Loudon, Tennessee and raised in Kirkland, Illinois. After graduating from high school, he attend the United States Military Academy at West Point for two years. He then graduated from Northern Illinois University and received his commission as an Infantry Officer through the Reserve Officer Training Course in 1986. In his 23 year career in the Army Oak McCulloch held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches. He assisted in disaster relief operations for Hurricane HUGO in Charleston, South Carolina and Hurricane ANDREW in south Florida. His operational deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as a Generals Aide-de-Camp, the Congressional Liaison Officer in support of operations in Bosnia and the Operations Officer during a Peace Keeping deployment to Kosovo. He held instructor positions at the US Army Ordnance School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College, University of South Alabama and Stetson University. His last position in the Army was a three-year tour as the Professor of Military Science at the University of South Alabama where he led the training and commissioning of Lieutenants and tripled the size of the program in his three-year tour. LTC McCulloch retired from the Army in September 2009 with over 23 years of active service and joined the staff at the Bay Area Food Bank as the Associate Director. He was also the Vice Chair for Military Affairs on the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Mobile Rotary International Club. LTC McCulloch left the food bank in December 2010 to become the Senior Military Science Instructor and recruiter for the Army ROTC program at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. In his 9 years at Stetson, the program grew from 15 Cadets to over 100 Cadets. In October 2013, he became the Recruiting Operations Officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he has more than doubled the size of the program in 6 years. Cadet Command selected LTC McCulloch as the top recruiting officer, out of 274 recruiters, for 2019. LTC Oak McCulloch published his first book in February 2021 – “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be”. LTC McCulloch earned a Bachelor of Science degree in History from Northern Illinois University in 1987 and a Master of Military Arts and Science in History from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 2002. He received thirty-one military service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals and the Humanitarian Service Medal. LTC Oak McCulloch is married to the former Kelly Smyth of Wauconda, Illinois. They were married at Fort Sheridan, Illinois in 1987 and they have two children, Oakland Vincent McCulloch and Caileigh Nicholson. They also have a granddaughter, Ryleigh Jade Nicholson and two grandsons Christopher Bryce Nicholson and Oakland Maverick McCulloch.

If the success of educational institutions depends on a steady and predictable flow of incoming students, what does the American “birth dearth” forebode for the future of higher education? Amy and Mike invited higher ed professional Chris Lucier to explain the implications of demographic trends for college admissions. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the value to higher ed professionals in exploring demographic data? What do the combined data sets tell us about the next ten years in the United States? Which colleges portend to be most impacted? What should colleges be doing now to prepare for upcoming demographic shifts? What role might international applicants play in future enrollment strategies? MEET OUR GUEST Chris Lucier is the Director of Partner Relationships at Othot, leveraging over 20 years of experience in admissions and strategic enrollment management to help colleges and universities adopt data-driven decision making in addressing enrollment and student success challenges.  Before joining Othot in 2019, Chris was the vice president for Enrollment Management at the University of Delaware (UD) where he developed, implemented, assessed, and refined a management strategy to mitigate the challenges presented by a volatile enrollment environment. In this capacity, he was responsible for undergraduate admissions, the registrar's office, and student financial services. Prior to UD, he was the vice president for enrollment management at the University of Vermont, where he developed and shaped the overall enrollment strategy and implemented operational programs to recruit, admit, retain and graduate undergraduate students. In 2001, after a 21-year career as a US Army Officer, Chris started his career in higher education as Director of Recruitment & Operations in the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Chris received his undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Administration degree from Western Kentucky University. He is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.   Find Chris at chlucier@othot.com. LINKS Demographic Comparison Tool for Higher Education RELATED EPISODES THE ULTIMATE COLLEGE STRESS TEST THE IMPACT OF NACAC ADMISSIONS CHANGES INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS IN HIGHER EDUCATION ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page.

Our guest is Lieutenant Colonel Oakland McCulloch, the author of “Your Leadership Legacy: Becoming the Leader You Were Meant to Be” In his 23 year career in the Army he held numerous leadership positions in the Infantry and Armor branches and instructed at the US Army Ordinance School, the US Army Command and General Staff College, the Australian Command and Staff College, University of South Alabama, and Stetson University. Leutenant Colonel McCulloch later became the Recruiting Operations Officer for the Eagle Battalion Army ROTC program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University where he has more than doubled the size of the program in 6 years.  He received thirty-one military service awards including the Bronze Star, eight Meritorious Service Medals, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. In this special episode of Scaling Culture, Ron and LTC McCulloch discuss: What do “selfless service” and Servant Leadership mean?  What can we learn from our best and worst bosses?  Can we become leaders or is this something that only some people are born with? How to build a team where you as a leader make others feel valued and appreciated while still having them be the best version of themselves? For more information about LTC McCulloch, please go to www.ltcoakmcculloch.com or connect with him on LinkedIn. For more information about the Scaling Culture Podcast or our upcoming Masterclass or our 2nd book “Scaling Culture”, go to ConnollyOwens.com

Robert Spencer, author of Did Muhammad Exist? An Inquiry into Islam's Obscure Origins. Are jihadis dying for a fiction? Everything you thought you knew about Islam is about to change. Is there any sound historical evidence that the prophet of Islam actually existed or is the entire story of Muhammad fable or fiction? It is a question that few have thought—or dared—to ask. Virtually everyone, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, takes for granted that the prophet of Islam lived as a prophet, as well as a political and military leader, in seventh-century Arabia. But this widely accepted story begins to crumble on close examination. In his blockbuster New York Times bestseller The Truth about Muhammad, historian and Islam expert Robert Spencer revealed the often-shocking contents of Islamic teachings about Muhammad. Now, in this newly revised and expanded version of Did Muhammad Exist? he lays bare those teachings' surprisingly shaky historical foundations. This updated and enlarged version of this acclaimed book examines even more striking and compelling evidence that the story of Muhammad, who for so long was assumed to have lived in the “full light of history,” could be more myth and legend than historical fact. Spencer meticulously examines historical records and archaeological findings, pioneering new scholarship to reconstruct what we can know about Muhammad, the Qur'an, and the early days of Islam. The evidence he presents challenges the most fundamental assumptions about Islam's origins. PLUG BOOK: Did Muhammad Exist? An Inquiry into Islam's Obscure Origins BIO: Spencer is the bestselling author of The History of Jihad, The Palestinian Delusion, and Did Muhammad Exist? He led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).

On this edition of the show,  Zach Clinton sat down with Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West at the National Religious Broadcasters Convention in Dallas, Texas.  Allen West is Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. His life has been defined as one of service, sacrifice, and commitment to this Republic, the United States of America. He believes it will be conservative, free market policies, not politics that secures a sound economic future for Americans – with growth, opportunity and returning the promise of the American dream for this generation and those to come.      Allen West was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia in the same neighborhood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once preached. He is the third of four generations of military servicemen, all combat veterans, in his family.West was commissioned through ROTC at the University of Tennessee as a Second Lieutenant (2LT) on July 31, 1982. He entered active duty service in the U.S. Army on November 1, 1983 at Fort Sill to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He later attended airborne and jumpmaster training at Fort Benning. West's first assignment was as an airborne infantry company fire support team leader and battalion training officer in the 325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team. In 1987, he was promoted to Captain and attended the Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course.He was then assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, where he commanded Bravo Battery, 6th Field Artillery Regiment and was a Battalion Task Force fire support officer for 2d Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment. While with the 1st Infantry Division, he participated in Operations Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.After redeployment from Kuwait, West served as an ROTC instructor at Kansas State University from 1991 to 1994. In January 1995, he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division Support Command as the Assistant Operations/Combat Plans Officer. During that time, West was promoted to Major and selected for attendance to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and graduated in 1997. Afterward, he became the Operations Officer of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade (Airborne), followed by assignment as the Executive Officer of the 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment. Upon completion of these positions, West was assigned to the II Marine Expeditionary Force in Camp Lejeune, and selected to serve as an Army exchange officer to this headquarters from 1999 to 2002.West's culminating assignment to his career was as Battalion Commander of the 2nd Battalion 20th Field Artillery, 4th Infantry Division. He assumed command of this unit on June 6, 2002. He deployed with his unit during the Iraq War in 2003 and continued to command his battalion until his retirement from the Army in 2004 after 22 years of honorable service in defense of the Republic.West's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; Meritorious Service Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters); Army Commendation Medal (three Oak Leaf Clusters, one Valor Device); Army Achievement Medal (two Oak Leaf Clusters); Valorous Unit Award; Air Assault Badge; and the Master Parachutist Badge.  Lt Col West proudly wears the Army Master Parachutist Badge, the Army Air Assault Badge, the Navy/Marine Corps Parachutist Insignia, the Italian Parachutist Wings, and the German Proficiency Badge, bronze award. West holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College.West is an avid distance runner, a Master SCUBA diver, a motorcyclist, and in his spare time he enjoys cheering his beloved Tennessee Volunteers. He is married to Dr. Angela Graham-West, a financial adviser, and they have two daughters. 

Matthew J. Louis is one of the nation’s leading experts in career transition for veterans and public service professionals. He advises veterans on their transition efforts and employers on hiring programs designed to successfully assimilate these valuable talent pools. He is the author of the award-winning HarperCollins book Mission Transition, a practical guide for veterans in transition and their employers. Matt serves as the Veteran Transition Assistance officer for his West Point class. He serves as an advisor to the board of YourNexStage in Washington DC (the nation's first veteran collaborative focused on the needs of women veterans), and actively serves several other veteran collaboratives around the country. During his active duty commissioned service in the United States Army, Matt served in the Southwest Asia combat theater and in the 194th Separate Armored Brigade. During reserve commissioned service, Matt served on the staff of the Army’s Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and commanded multiple regions around the country for the US Military Academy’s Admissions Office. He is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army Reserves, holds a secret security clearance, and serves on the Service Academy nominating committee for his local Congressman. Matt holds an MBA in Operations and Finance from The Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from West Point and is a graduate of the US Army Command and General Staff College.  He is also a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, a certified Project Management Professional, and holds the ASCM organization’s Certified Supply Chain Professional designation. WEBSITE: https://matthewjlouis.com/meet-matt/ BOOK:  https://matthewjlouis.com/mission-transition-wins-the-nonfiction-authors-associations-silver-book-award/ "I'm on a mission...to SUCCESSFULLY OPTIMIZE the personal potential of veterans and public servants and the productivity of their prospective employers." Additional Advice From Transitioning Troops https://matthewjlouis.com/lessons-learned/ Military to Civilian Thesaurus https://matthewjlouis.com/military-to-civilian-thesaurus/ Understanding Your Financial Needs Exercises https://matthewjlouis.com/financial-needs-exercises/ “The most difficult part of the transition for me was disengaging from ongoing activities and responsibilities at my last duty station and focusing on my transition to civilian life. There was more to do than I realized, with medical appointments, moving, required transition workshops, finding a job, and more. It wasn't that I felt like I was indispensable in my last position, but I had projects that I wanted to see through to completion before leaving. Also, the Army was still providing my livelihood, so I felt it incumbent on me to continue to contribute.” Dave Raymond (Former Army Colonel) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/mettle-of-honor/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mettle-of-honor/support

In this episode of Breaking Doctrine, our host, LTC Nikki Dean discusses Cavalry Operations above the Brigade. Joined by Maneuver Center of Excellence Commanding General, MG Patrick Donahoe, Major Nathan Jennings is a history instructor with the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS and COL(Retired) Rich Creed, Director of the Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate, or CADD.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Allen B. West is a Christian constitutional conservative, combat veteran, and former Member of the US Congress. His life has been defined as one of service, sacrifice, and commitment to the United States of America. After his retirement from the Army in 2004 following over two decades of military service, which included deployment to both Kuwait and Iraq, Allen taught high school in South Florida for a year before volunteering and deploying to Afghanistan as a civilian military adviser to the Afghan army, an assignment he finished in November 2007. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and two Masters, one from Kansas State University and another from the US Army Command and General Staff Officers College. Allen remains very active in the philanthropic community and is presently President/CEO of The Hope Center.From the new Murray Media Podcast/Virtual Studios in Dallas, Texas, National Keynote Speaker and Published Author, Scott Murray, moderate the discussion with champions that truly make a difference in our world.    Enjoy, share, subscribe and let us know what you think of this episode of Leadership America as we continue to Create Champions of Change through a Culture of Civility.Visit our website:   LeadershipAmerica.netConnect with us on Social Media:Linked In - https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-america-todayTwitter - https://twitter.com/LeadershipAmer1Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/leadership_americaFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/LeadershipAmericaChampions   Check out Murray Media Video Production/Podcast/Virtual Studios:  MurrayMedia.net

Lt. Col. Sam Hayes, the Inter-agency Coordinator for the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade, hosts a discussion with members of the Civil Affairs regiment surrounding the Civil Affairs role at the tactical level in the great power competition in different global regions. They touch on embassy work, combining Military Information Support Operations with Civil Affairs capabilities, and the importance of civil society organizations. 1st Sgt. Enrique Hernandez is an active duty Non-Commissioned Officer serving as a Company First Sergeant in 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (SO) (A).  He has deployed to numerous countries within the SOUTHCOM and CENTCOM AORs.Maj. J. David Thompson is an active duty U.S. Army Civil Affairs Major assigned to 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (SO)(A). He has a number of deployments to the Middle East and Southwest Asia. David has a Juris Doctorate from Washington and Lee University School of Law. He also holds a BS in Economics and MBA in Leadership from Liberty University. Outside the military, he's worked at the UN Refugee Agency, Department of Defense, and Physicians for Human Rights – Israel.1st Sgt. Richard Bisbal is an active-duty member in U.S. Army Civil Affairs. Serving in the 95th CA BDE (SO) (A). He has served in MEDCOM, the 98th CA BN, and 95th CA BDE with various deployments South America. 1SG Bisbal has a Bachelor's degree in Health Care Management from Trident University in California, and a Master of Arts Degree in Strategic Security Studies from National Defense University in Washington, D.C.Maj. Mike Casiano is an active-duty  U.S. Army Civil Affairs Officer serving in the 95th CA BDE (SO) (A). He has served in 1st Armored Division, the 98th CA BN, and 1SFC (A) with various deployments across the Middle East and South America. Mike has multiple degrees to include a Master of Arts Degree in Public Policy: International Affairs from Liberty University, a Master of Military Arts and Science Degree in Military Operations from the US Army Command and General Staff College, and a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree in International Management from the University of Texas at San Antonio.Capt. Christina Plumley is an active duty U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer serving in E Company, 97th Civil Affairs Battalion (SO)(A). She has recent experience in Southeast Asia as the Theater Civil Military Support Element Deputy Operations Chief. She previously served with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, supporting and executing multinational military exercises across Europe. She holds a Bachelor's of Science in International Relations and French from the United States Military Academy.Capt. Paul Kuemmerlein is an active-duty U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer serving in Fox Co, 83d Civil Affairs Battalion.  Paul deployed to Guyana from AUG-DEC 2020 where he led his CA Team ISO synchronized SOF efforts and interagency collaboration with DOS and host-nation counter-COVID efforts.   A NOV 2019 Graduate of the U.S. Army JFK Special Warfare Center and School, Paul’s pre-SOF career in Transportation and Logistics included assignments in Korea (Camps Walkers & Henry) and Fort Hood, TX.Lt. Col. Sam Hayes is an active-duty U.S. Army Civil Affairs officer serving at the 95th Civil Affairs Brigade (SO) (A). He has served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion, 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion, USAJFK Special Warfare Center and School, USCAPOC(A), and NATO with various deployment across the Middle East and Africa. Sam has multiple degrees to include a Masters of Art in Information Warfare and Political Strategy from Naval Postgraduate School and a Ph.D. in Organizational Management with a specialization in Leadership from Capella University.

In this episode, Dr. Louis DiMarco, a professor of military history at the US Army Command and General Staff College, presents a short lecture on the 2006 Battle of Ramadi, Iraq. He describes the context of the fighting and many of the key players involved. He also explains the concepts that were used to turn the city of Ramadi, widely known as the “the deadliest city in Iraq,” into a comparative model of stability that guided the way counterinsurgency operations were conducted across the country. Special thanks to the Dole Institute of Politics, where this talk was originally delivered.

In this first of two shows, Sergeant Evans tells us how she struggled and worked to overcome this horrendous personal loss, how she regained most of her normal life back, is now focused on a very important cause, and how she now considers her situation a great gift. (Recording date: June 28th, 2020) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy New Year and welcome to Season 2 on the What I Wish I Knew Podcast! On today's episode I sit down with Lt. Col. Chris McMartin or Col. Mac as his cadets call him. Lt. Col. McMArtin is a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and currently a Junior ROTC Instructor at The Woodlands High School. While on active duty, Chris completed tours of duty as a navigator on C-141 and C-130 aircraft, an instructor at the navigator training school, an Operations Director for mobility operations at a US base in the Middle East, and an assistant professor at the US Army Command and General Staff College. Chris grew up in Oklahoma but has called Texas his home since 1997. This is a great episode for anyone out there that thinks that they want to enter into military service. While Lt. Col. McMartin spent 20 years in the Air Force he speaks about the different branches of military, the different steps and ways to enter into service, what it is like while on active duty and much more. We hope that you enjoy this episode. We would love your feedback on who you would like to hear from this season. If you have a specific career or young professional that we can share with you please submit an email to office@efta-us.org with you interests. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/efta/message

An Interview with Captain Brockelmeyer and LTC Trey Lachicotte by Clark Bowden andEvan Muller Biographies: Cody Brockelmeyer enlisted in the Marine Corps in April of 2006, and served at the Legal Services Support Section in Okinawa, Japan where he served as NCOIC of the Pacific Regional Defense Counsel’s office. From 2009 to 2013, he served as Legal Management Chief for the Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps. During this time, Sergeant Brockelmeyer deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland University College. In 2013, Staff Sergeant Brockelmeyer was accepted to the Enlisted Commissioning Program, attended OCS, and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. He was designated as a supply and logistics officer, he was assigned to Second Battalion, Seventh Marines in Twentynine Palms, CA. From 2014-2016, he deployed twice to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, and completed his Master of Business Administration degree from Northwest Christian University. In 2017, Captain Brockelmeyer was promoted to his current rank, and was assigned to his present duties as Marine Officer Instructor for the NROTC unit, University of Notre Dame. He currently teaches Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare and Evolution of Warfare, and has completed a Doctor of Business Administration degree from Northcentral University. Capt. Brockelmeyer primarily works with the senior MIDN leadership, providing guidance to the BCO, BXO, and BOPS. Additionally, he teaches both the Fundamentals of Maneuver Warfare and the Evolution of Warfare classes. _____________________________________ LTC Trey Lachicotte is a 2000 graduate of the University of Tennessee, where he received two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Accounting and Finance. Upon Graduation, he received a commission in the Infantry. His civilian education also includes a Master of Art in Global and International Studies from the University of Kansas, as well as, a Master of Military Art and Science in Theater Operations from the US Army Command and General Staff College. LTC Lachicotte has served in the United States Army for 20 years as an officer in the Infantry and Special Forces branches.

Joy Villa is a pro-life, pro-America, pro-Second Amendment conservative singer and actress in Hollywood who loves the Trump administration and has been outspoken as a regular political commentator. Joy is scheduled to join me to discuss her first book, Kickass Conservative!: How I Escaped Liberal Feminism to Become a Freedom-Loving Trumplican-and How You Can Too. Robert Spencer is the author of The History of Jihad and The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process. He has led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Robert is scheduled to join me to discuss his latest book, Rating America's Presidents: An America-First Look at Who Is Best, Who Is Overrated, and Who Was An Absolute Disaster

Joy Villa is a pro-life, pro-America, pro-Second Amendment conservative singer and actress in Hollywood who loves the Trump administration and has been outspoken as a regular political commentator. Joy is scheduled to join me to discuss her first book, Kickass Conservative!: How I Escaped Liberal Feminism to Become a Freedom-Loving Trumplican-and How You Can Too. Robert Spencer is the author of The History of Jihad and The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process. He has led seminars for the FBI, the US Central Command, US Army Command and General Staff College, the Asymmetric Warfare Group, and the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Robert is scheduled to join me to discuss his latest book, Rating America's Presidents: An America-First Look at Who Is Best, Who Is Overrated, and Who Was An Absolute Disaster

In this interview, former Republic TV journalist Tejinder Singh Sodhi sits down with Newslaundry’s Manisha Pande to discuss the events surrounding his resignation letter, which has now become viral on social media. Tejinder Sodhi has been a journalist for about 18 years and prior to joining Republic TV he had worked for organisations like PTI, Hindustan Times and The Tribune. He is also the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth. On the reasons prompting his resignation from Republic TV on 5th August, Sodhi recounts how the organisation has no concept of exit interviews. The company is least concerned about the reasons surrounding anyone’s resignation from the organisation which is why he made it a point to write a separate note outlining his reasons aside from his resignation letter that he sent almost a month later. He says that while there were several reasons for his leaving, the fact that the staff was treated terribly was one of the most prominent reasons. He also cites instances where for a story he was made to compromise his ethics and resort to tactics like protesting with placards outside party offices. With regards to the Sunanda Pushkar case, he recalls how one of his colleagues was under so much pressure for an exclusive story that he suffered a heart attack while in office. Similar events surrounded another resignation from a reporter who was unable to get Rhea Chakroborty’s interview for the channel. On the subject of his time at Republic TV, Sodhi recalls how the channel while campaigning against nepotism also actively supported it. An interview that had previously been granted to Mr. Sodhi was reassigned to a close crony of Arnab Goswami which is what triggered his resignation. He also recalls how reporters were constantly asked to focus on a particular angle while reporting their stories which was centred around bashing a particular political party. With respect to the reporters mandate at Republic, Sodhi says that while he was never explicitly asked to not do a story on the BJP, the manner in which the stories were given prominence via the Mumbai desk made the bias very obvious. Since he headed the Jammu office for Republic, Sodhi recalls how while reporting about Mufti or Abdullah the channel would always focus on the one comment in their speeches that could be utilised to call them anti national and focussed all their energy on that.Watch. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The folk expression, “If God is willing and the Creek don’t rise” traces one lineage to a probably (and sadly) apocryphal letter from an early 19th century Superintendent of Indian Affairs. If true, it would have referred to lingering fears regarding a potential Indian insurrection, not to an overflowing of the banks of a body of water, as is commonly assumed today.  In this episode, we modify it for a third use: By looking closely at the exemplary heroism of the extraordinary David Moniac in the Second Seminole War, we pray the esteem of this Creek will rise among our podcast's listeners. You see, David Moniac was a Creek, one of mixed ancestry. He held the distinction as both the first Native American and the first Alabaman to secure an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy, from which he graduated with the Class of 1822 at West Point, N.Y. Moniac lead a band of 750 Creek warriors (serving alongside a US Army contingent) against the Seminole at Florida's Wahoo Swamp in present-day Sumter County.  Major General Thomas Jesup declared Moniac "as brave and gallant a man as ever drew a sword or faced an enemy." He perished in the fighting.Generations of historians have attributed Moniac's death to being struck down by a "barrage of galling fire" from Seminoles perched on the other side of a stream that Moniac had been attempting to cross. They draw this narrative from the later recollections of a military officer who was in the vicinity but not actually present at the site of this specific engagement. Something did not seem right with this long-accepted report, however, to retired US Army Brigadier General Richard Allen. Why would a West Point-trained officer attempt crossing a stream of an unknown depth to reach a hostile shore in the middle of a fire fight? Allen, an artillery and later ordinance officer who’d commanded troops in Vietnam, knows soldiering and he knows jungle fighting. A graduate of the US Army War College and the US Army Command and Staff College, which he completed first in his class, Allen also knows researching.For the occasion of the 2019 bicentennial of Alabama’s entry into the Union, Allen began exploring its favorite sons of the era. This is when he first encountered the curious circumstances surrounding David Moniac’s death. Backed by previously overlooked official documents as well as his own common sense about military matters and swamp terrain, Allen makes a most persuasive case that Moniac’s action in this battle was even more heroic than the diarists and historians ever suspected. Allen joins us today to share his revelatory findings. [Art of David Moniac leading Creeks at Battle of Wahoo Swamp by Jackson Walker]Host Patrick Swan is a board member with the Seminole Wars Foundation. He is a combat veteran and of the U.S. Army, serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and Kosovo, and at the Pentagon after 9/11. A military historian, he holds masters degrees in Public History, Communication, and Homeland Security, and is a graduate of the US Army War College with an advanced degree in strategic studies. This podcast is recorded at the homestead of the Seminole Wars Foundation in Bushnell, Florida. Subscribe automatically to the Seminole Wars through your favorite podcast provider, such as iHeart or Stitcher or Spotify, DoubleTwist, or Pandora or Google podcasts or iTunes, or ...Check it out so you always get the latest episode without delay where and when you want it. Like us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube!