Another Inexperienced Pick

This time for Secretary of the Navy

Meritocracy, Mediocrity, & DEI: SECDEF* Edition

There is no such thing as “the perfect candidate.”

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

Tim Walz’ Military Record Redux

Some additional (and longwinded) perspective.

[Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States [Minnesota Governor Tim Walz on stage before Senator Amy Klobuchar announces her 2020 presidential bid by Lorie Shaull from Washington, United States

[Updated] Reviewing 5 Claims About Tim Walz Military Record

I don’t think its stolen valor, but Walz has played it loose when referring to his service

Defense Department to Review Wounded Knee Medals

An understandable but wrongheaded action.

The World According to Trump

While foreign policy seldom decides American elections, it really should this year.

Why the IDF Fights As It Does

A small, conscript-driven military has very different training and doctrine than ours.

Daniel Kahneman, 1934-2024

The psychologist who won a Nobel in economics is gone at 90.

Lisa Franchetti Becomes First Woman to Lead Military Service

We finally have a Chief of Naval Operations but the crisis in the top ranks continues.

The Fine Line Between Supporter and Co-Belligerent

America’s involvement in the Israeli and Ukrainian war efforts is more than advertised.

Senate Confirms Army, Marine Chiefs

Congress is doing something, at least.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich) Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich)

Charles “CQ” Brown Confirmed as Joint Chiefs Chairman

The Senate is voting one-by-one in the face of the Tuberville hold on top nominees.

Fight Over Military Promotions Intensifies

There’s no end in sight to an absurd standoff.

America’s Forgotten Empire

Our Pacific territories are giving more than they’re getting.

Pentagon Senior Leader Backlog Growing

The standoff with Senator Tuberville is reaching crisis levels.

Tales of Florida Governance

Fun in the sunshine state.

Joint Chiefs Stymied by One Idiot Senator

Tommy Tuberville’s stunt is now impacting the highest levels of the military.

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The All-Volunteer Force at 50

Is America’s military capable of fighting the next war?

Violent Rhetoric: Legal But Dangerous

Politicians and other thought leaders are playing with fire.

Young Men Becoming More Right-Wing?

Some interesting (and potentially disturbing) polling trends.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich) Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. delivers remarks during a transition ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Md., Aug. 14, 2020. (U.S. Air Force/Eric Dietrich)

CQ Brown Next Joint Chiefs Chairman

As widely expected, Air Force Chief of Staff Charles “CQ” Brown will become the nation’s top military officer.

Biden to Reshape Joint Chiefs

He’s likely to make heads explode.

Supreme Court Clerks and Undergraduate Elitism

Culling for the primary feeder job in American legal system begins in high school.

OTB at 20

A look back at two decades of blogging.

General Preparing for War With China!

Playing two-level games.

Next Joint Chiefs Chairman

The Marine and Air Force chiefs appear to be the top candidates.

Congress ‘Concerned’ About Military Retirees’ Foreign Employment

Shockingly, the Defense Department doesn’t keep up with former employees.

Retired Flag Officers Cashing In As Foreign Agents

An unsavory practice that’s mostly legal.

America’s Woeful Defense Industrial Capacity

Eighteen HIMARS and what do you get? Years older and deeper in debt.

Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo) Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo)

Military ‘Rushed’ Denials of Religious Exemption from COVID Vaccines

The Pentagon’s Inspector General is “concerned” over the pace of rejections.

Michael Langley Becomes Marines’ First Black 4-Star General

A major milestone has been reached.

Russia’s Absurd Demands for Griner and Whalen Release

Moscow is playing a very strange game.

China’s Worrisome Behavior

The competition is slowly ratcheting up.

Military Recruiting Woes

The US armed forces are looking for a few more good men and women.

Michael Langley to be 1st Black Marine 4-Star General

A long-overdue milestone has been reached.

Marine Force Design Has Been Debated

The service is taking a big risk but not without much discussion.

CDC Relaxes Mask Requirements (Again)

Most of us have suddenly gone from High to Low risk communities.

Generals Say Afghan Exit Would Have Been Smoother Had Biden Listened to the Generals

Two unclassified after-action reports shine a new—if one-sided—light on the evacuation.

Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021. Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021.

Military Vaccine Deadlines Pass

Some 98 percent of active service members are now vaccinated. The rest will be discharged.

Military Justice Reform Watered Down

The Pentagon brass have defeated a supermajority coalition in Congress.

The Phony-Tough and Crazy-Brave

Violence, masculinity, and American politics.

Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo) Airman 1st Class Thadyn DuPont, an aerospace medical technician with the 137th Special Operations Medical Group, prepares to administer a coronavirus vaccine for an Oklahoma National Guard soldier at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Norman, Okla., on Jan. 15, 2021. (Andrew LaMoreaux/U.S. Air National Guard photo)

Army to Separate National Guard Vaccine Refusniks

The next boot has dropped.

Stu Scheller’s Sideshow

The convicted criminal has taken his shenanigans to court.

Our Victory in Iraq

The wonders of hindsight.

The Kabul Attack Death Toll

What we know of the American servicemembers killed.

Terrorist Strike Hits Afghan Evacuation

Thirteen Marines and dozens of Afghan civilians are dead in a much-anticipated attack.

Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021. Major Kimberly Bender, Director Air Force Public Affairs , Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, receives the first of two COVID 19 vaccine shots, Brooke Army Medical Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, 29 Jan 2021.

Mandatory Military Vaccinations Expected

It appears to be only a matter of time before the SECDEF orders active-duty troops to get the shots.

Marine Corps Major Arrested for Capitol Riot

A serving officer was arrested for his part in events of 6 January