1) Learn to play a musical instrument There is something magic in music. Regardless if it is jazz or rock or country or blues or mariachi. It doesn’t matter if it’s the flute, the drums, guitar, or xylophone. Music unites people. Music is a language in and of itself. Learning an instrument is also frustrating as all hell! Great musicians make it look easy but it takes a great … [Read more...]
Lest We Forget: An Excerpt
An excerpt from 'Lest We Forget: A Ranger Medic's Story': "Should we have a BBQ for the fourth of July this weekend?" Asked Matt. "This is America isn't it?" I respond. It is the final days of June 2005 and I was already preparing to leave on my second combat deployment. Matt and I shared a two story, three-bedroom condo that was considered "on-post" housing on Fort Benning. … [Read more...]
On Being A Veteran
It doesn’t seem that long ago. The memory of pulling away from the brown fence that surrounded 3rd Ranger Battalion for the final time is still as vivid in my memory as the taste of the burnt black coffee that I had for breakfast this morning. Despite it being 7 years and 2 weeks since I was honorably discharged I still recall how that particular drive home felt. Notions … [Read more...]
Transition Dispatch: Part One
This is Part One of a three-part series on transition from the active duty military.As I go through the transition from military to civilian life, I’m more cognizant of things surrounding the transition process. It is surprisingly smooth (I have yet to do the Veterans Affairs medical process so we’ll see). I notice weird things, small things, things to remember, things to … [Read more...]
Giving… To Veteran Organizations That Matter
Giving... To Veteran Organizations That Matter by Leo JenkinsAt this point most people are aware of the controversy surrounding Wounded Warrior Project’s (WWP) excessive, frivolous spending. Reports of a staggeringly low, 60% of donations actually being applied to WWP’s mission surfaced early this year. The actions of this organization have created a distrust in a lot of … [Read more...]
A Warrior Defined
The last time that I had my nose broken was in an MMA bout in Alabama. After securing a very deep triangle hold on my competitor he stacked me up and released one final effort to get me to release his neck from between my legs. The back of my head was the only part of my body in contact with the mat as he came down on the center of my face with his 4oz glove. It was the … [Read more...]
The Ranger Standard: A “Violence Of Action” Excerpt
This is an excerpt from Violence of Action: The Untold Stories of the 75th Ranger Regiment in the War on Terror by Blackside Concepts founder Marty Skovlund. You can pick up the full version on Amazon.com, the West Point Book Store, and major retail bookstores. _____ The 75th Ranger Regiment became the workhorse of the special operations community during the years following … [Read more...]
Sebastian Junger: Sharing the Moral High Ground
So what happens when the warrior no longer wears the uniform? Can a warrior still be a warrior at home if he's no longer a "quiet professional"? What does that look like? Many traditional warrior societies believed their warriors were always warriors, but that their missions changed after their last battles were fought. Once they came home for good, their mission was to … [Read more...]
Veterans: A Social Obligation
War may be the greatest tragedy of humanity. As John Stuart Mill said, “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things…” The bitter truth is we may never be free from the perils of war and all the hell that it brings. As ugly as it is it is somehow engrained in our nature as humans and thusly will remain a fixture for some time. The least we can do, as a … [Read more...]
“Sacrifice A Minute For Those Who Sacrificed Their Lives”: A Civilian’s Perspective On Military Service
by Ben Buehler-Garica Editor's Note: Ben Buehler-Garcia is a friend of mine, and more importantly, he is a friend of the US military. Through his show, American Warrior Radio, he promotes veterans' issues and gives voice to the celebrations and concerns of veterans and their families. I've done his show many times, and several other HJ writers have gone on AWR as well. I'm … [Read more...]