Units in the Airborne Divisions portrayed characteristics and a culture symbolic and unique to paratroopers. A demolition section attached to the Continue Reading
Paratroopers of WWII: Double Volunteers
When soldiers are asked why they volunteered for the paratroopers, their responses come in many forms. Many men signed up to be in the Airborne Continue Reading
Roots of Airborne Success: The Parachute Test Platoon
The American Airborne concept first suggested in World War I, became a need heading into World War II. The war started years before direct American Continue Reading
A Shot to the Heart: A Ranger’s Case for Love and God’s Grace
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on June 25, 2015. In the wake of the tragedy that occurred in Charleston, South Carolina, amidst ill-timed Continue Reading
D-Day & Beyond: Land of the Free Because of the Brave
D-Day is certainly a day to be celebrated; but it is also important to recognize, for those who survived the jumps and beach landings, that day was Continue Reading
Building a Winning Culture: Easy Company, Unit Cohesion & Grit
A group of individuals who came together to become one of the tightest fighting forces in World War II was the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Continue Reading
Ulama in the Kingdom: Useful Pawns or Strategic Partners?
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on April 19, 2017. Prior to reading portions of Nabil Mouline’s The Clerics of Islam I did not see the ulama, Continue Reading
Saudi Women and the War on Terror
In the masculine-driven nation of Saudi Arabia, women are subordinate to men and the state, yet, in the eyes of both, they serve an important role Continue Reading
20 Rules for Newly Commissioned Officers
You are about to embark on the beginning of your career. I wanted to share some things I’ve learned through either experience or observation to “put Continue Reading
Why the Abu Sayyaf Raid Mattered: A SOF Warfighter’s Perspective
This first appeared in The Havok Journal on May 18, 2015. The day after the bold raid conducted by U.S. Special Operations forces, there was a lot of Continue Reading
American Airborne: Surprise & Deception
On May 29, 1944, the commander in chief of the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces, Air Chief Marshall Trafford Leigh-Mallory, expressed his concerns to Continue Reading
Importing the Muslim Brotherhood: Creation of the “Sahwa” in Saudi Arabia
A movement known as the Islamic Awakening (al-Sahwa al-Islamiyya) or Sahwa quickly established itself as a counter-culture to the religious Continue Reading
