There’s a quiet brutality in the Latin phrase pulvis et umbra sumus—we are dust and shadow. It’s not motivational. It doesn’t belong on a recruiting Continue Reading
Recent Articles
Islamophobia: What If the Fear Isn’t Irrational?
By an Anonymous Veteran I have been thinking lately about the word Islamophobia. It is a powerful word, and nobody particularly wants it attached Continue Reading
Why You Want a Physicist to Speak at Your Funeral
Author's Note: the following was written by Aaron Freeman (1956-), an American physicist, writer, broadcast journalist, and standup comedian, noted Continue Reading
Marx Is Dead but His Middle Managers Are Thriving
America spent half the twentieth century terrified that communists were infiltrating the country, which was awkward because communists were, in fact, Continue Reading
Dad, You’re on a List
My son, Hans, sometimes tells me stories of his youth without any warning. He did that today. He is a combat vet from the most recent Iraq War Continue Reading
The Fear We Carry
“Courage is fear holding on a minute longer.” – Patton Those lucky enough to have children have probably heard it before—“My dad isn’t scared of Continue Reading
The Further We Get From 9/11, The Closer We Get to 9/10
There’s a phrase that’s been making the rounds in quiet conversations, veterans’ circles, and the corners of the internet where memory still carries Continue Reading
What a Police Chief Leaves Behind
During my career, I've had the opportunity to work under and have met several police chiefs. Like every police officer, I've seen different leadership Continue Reading
What is the Pain of the Living Compared to the Sacrifice of the Dead?
Somewhere in a forgotten war, over a decade ago, he died. His eight-day struggle ended. Somewhere, in this window of time, my brain takes hold. I can Continue Reading
Clausewitz Never Had to PCS
The United States military can put a carrier strike group wherever it wants, refuel aircraft in midair, deliver ammunition across an ocean, and locate Continue Reading
Part of Him Is Still in Iraq
I was sitting on the back porch of Hans' double-wide, soaking up the Texas heat and listening to Hans talk about his time in Iraq. Hans had a Continue Reading
Why You Should Enlist in the National Guard Before Commissioning
By James B. · National Guard Infantryman · ROTC Cadet · Ranger & Sapper School Graduate Of all the routes to a commission, writes Army veteran Continue Reading