“What Should It Look Like?” Part VI: Special Operations Forces

Oh boy here I go ranting again. Fair warning, this is a dense one. For real. But that’s because this is one I’ve wanted to cover for a long time and have a lot of thoughts about. A lot. Yes my guys, gals, and non-binary pals, we’re finally talking about the United States’ Special OperationsContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part VI: Special Operations Forces”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part V: The Air Force

Greetings, folks. We return once more to my “What Should It Look Like” series and oh boy, it’s time to go Up into the Wild Blue Yonder with the United States Air Force. Air power is one of the most important aspects of modern warfare. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that, inContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part V: The Air Force”

Why We Fight.

Well, folks. It’s been a hell of a year, hasn’t it? I feel like since 2016, every year has been “the longest year ever” (or maybe 2016 itself has just been the longest year ever and is still going on). But I really do feel like 2022 has taken the cake so far. We haveContinue reading “Why We Fight.”

“If You Build It, They Will Come”: Military Recruitment in a Better Future

If there’s one thing I’m constantly hearing people in my field go on about – whether they directly work for the national security establishment or on its peripheries – it’s some variation on “manpower.” More specifically within the overall issue of manpower, they’re talking about the issue of recruitment and retention in the U.S. ArmedContinue reading ““If You Build It, They Will Come”: Military Recruitment in a Better Future”

Geopolitics: The Reason Why Your Tummy Hurts

I feel like every time I rejoin you all with one of these essays I have to go “boy, a lot of history sure happened in the last month” and this time it’s no exception. I’m going to spare you the line-item state of the world summary, however, and I’m gonna try and get straightContinue reading “Geopolitics: The Reason Why Your Tummy Hurts”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part IV: The Marines

Oh boy it’s time to talk about the Wet Soldiers. That’s right folks, as we return to the “What Should it Look Like?” series, it’s time to take aim at everyone’s favorite maritime themed crayon munchers: the United States Marine Corps. To make sense of the Marines as an institution, you firs have to understandContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part IV: The Marines”

When Domestic Politics Become a National Security Concern

I hope for a lot of things these days. I hope for better things for myself, for my friends and family and loved ones, for people all over the world at large. But more than anything, I really just wish we could stop having history for just a day or two. Like, fucking really. CanContinue reading “When Domestic Politics Become a National Security Concern”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part III: The Navy

Thought I forgot about this series, didn’t you? Well, I didn’t forget about it. But in case you hadn’t noticed, global events over the past few months had distracted me some. While the war in Ukraine is by no means over and we should still pay close attention to it, I think I at leastContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part III: The Navy”

Ukraine and the Scary New World

So. Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past month or so, you’re probably aware some events have transpired – and are still ongoing. But just for the sake of clarity, I’ll elaborate a bit on what I mean by that. On February 24th, 2022, the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine in what appearsContinue reading “Ukraine and the Scary New World”

“What Should It Look Like?” Part II: The Army

Prepare yourselves, people. I’m about to get very nerdily self-indulgent. That’s because this is the second entry in my “What Should it Look Like?” series where I, a self-professed democratic socialist defense analyst, put my mind to pondering how the U.S. military should look under a more just and equitable system (and also maybe toContinue reading ““What Should It Look Like?” Part II: The Army”