Written by C.H. The metal edge clinks against the dining room table as he sits down for dinner. When he rests his hand on my back, I can feel the extra weight of it against my body. I can feel it digging into my flesh when we make love. Again, it's there as we snuggle on the couch. The sun catches the worn sides as he holds my daughter’s hands. At breakfast, lunch, and … [Read more...]
The Death of a Ranger
EDITORS NOTE: I am honored to introduce guest contributor, Johnny B, who is both a former Ranger and a poet. I have read some of his other work and it is equally as stirring. I don't think I am alone when I say "This one hits home." The Death of a Ranger So, you heard a Ranger died today What a tragic waste, you said That he should die in a foreign land With so much of … [Read more...]
A Ranger In Vietnam Remembers
Some of the Team Leaders were more "aggressive" than others. For some reason, Team 4 always had a Team Leader the "aggressive" ones called NUTS. Of the first four Team Leaders of Team 4, three are members of the Ranger Hall of Fame. We always seemed to get more than our share of action. My guess would be that we came under fire about 60% of the time. Usually we were engaged … [Read more...]
The Muddled, The Misguided, and The Future: A Ranger’s Perspective on a Happy Life
Editor's Note: Mat Best is an Army Ranger, combat veteran, author, and highly successful small business owner. He is also a personal friend of ours. In this short but powerful piece, Mat covers an issue near and dear to many veterans: managing transitions. It's important for fellow veterans to know that we have all had our struggles, that none of us are alone in facing … [Read more...]
Shortcomings and Lessons Learned of a Ranger
Written by Kasey Pipitt Very recently I was a victim of my own wake up call, one caused by no one other than myself. It was a real “look in the mirror” moment, if you will. I’m going to try and put this as detailed as possible without making this article seem like a “poor me” story because it isn’t. About six months ago I lost control of myself. I had, what I thought, was … [Read more...]
Boer War to Blade Runner: A Soldier’s Assimilation Into Society
Boer War to Blade Runner: A Soldier's Assimilation Into Society by Jonathan Baxter, author of The Ghosts of Babylon As the New Year brings in topics of change and transformation, it is relevant to explore the age-old theme of a soldier returning from conflict and attempting to transition into civilian society. Two works that directly or indirectly touch upon this theme are … [Read more...]
Afghanistan serves U.S. strategic interests, and it is time to stop pretending it doesn’t.
On Monday, U.S. officials met with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in the United Arab Emirates to discuss a potential political settlement to the war in Afghanistan. On Wednesday, President Trump announced that the U.S. will immediately withdraw from Syria and only one day later, the Trump Administration announced that it is considering a significant drawdown of American … [Read more...]
Leaders: Myth and Reality – A Review
When many big names in business, politics, and pop culture sit down to pen a new book, they tend to capture personal exploits, successes, accumulation of wealth, awards, and achievements. In the new, bestselling release of Leaders: Myth and Reality, GEN (Retired) McChrystal and his co-authors manage to approach the topic of leadership with a focus still on individuals, but … [Read more...]
Making a Night Stalker: An Excerpt
An excerpt from the highly rated book, Making a Night Stalker by David Burnett: The target compound was 15 minutes away, and after our aircraft and chalk two completed a quick hover check to make sure the weight and balance was good, we got the all clear from tower. “Clear up?” The Godfather said. I glanced up to the sky and glared around to make sure nothing was landing or … [Read more...]
“Empty Chairs:” Written by a Fellow Ranger
Empty Chairs Written by a Fellow Ranger An empty chair standing still An empty chair- absence filled They're missing soldiers off to war Fighting enemies ne'er seen before Shielded warriors- many come home Proud of duties that they performed Armor off, swords sheathed Now it's time to settle and breathe Yet haunting thoughts come at night Long lost friends … [Read more...]
