Category: Expert Analysis

The Marine Corps, like every military branch, has a language all its own. That isn’t to say that Marines don’t speak English – but the words we use come with a cultural context that often requires familiarity to translate. A casual observer may be able to glean that the “head” is actually the bathroom, but […]

Drawing a pistol is an art-form that requires practice to do subconsciously efficient. Every holster and firearms combination is different or has the possibility to be, given the different body types and capabilities of different people. The draw can be done from the same setup a variety of ways depending on the individual’s position as […]

As a new member of the Fraternity of Dad-hood, I’ve been acutely aware of how having a child can change one’s mindset about safety. Obviously, it’s no surprise that parents worry, but as adults, we’ve all honed our ability to apply basic operational risk management to our day to day lives: it’s not worth running […]

The conditions are just right: the pillows are soft and plentiful and you rest your head after a hard day’s work. You hug a large, soft pillow on your mattress that threatens to swallow you whole it’s so soft. The blankets on top of you are a blissful, heavy weight that embodies the essence of […]

In my own lifetime, I’ve seen the movie industry change dramatically over the years. As a kid, it wasn’t all that unusual for folks to go to a movie theater without a specific flick in mind, as though going to the movies was akin to going to the bar; you don’t have to know what […]

There is no denying that the VA appeals process is in need of reform. As of 2016, veterans wait, on average, four and a half years for their first decision from the Board of Veteran Appeals. In an attempt to mitigate these wait times Congress recently passed the Appeals Modernization Act of 2017 (AMA). VA is […]

Anytime Russian influence campaigns are addressed in an article, you can count on two comments popping up in short order. The first will be from an old timer that doesn’t believe perceptions can be managed through the digital sphere, so they’d prefer to keep their head planted firmly in the sand, and the second is […]

This article contains videos with graphic content. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida has made heavy the hearts of many watching as the events developed; none heavier than those who lost those they loved. Before “objectivity” is thrust into the limelight and arguments are made, I believe that it is important […]

To put it simply: the one-point sling is not versatile enough. It’s really good at a specific role, and that is accommodating a direct action based use of the weapon. It is extremely good in this capacity but because it is such a specialized piece of kit, it lacks the versatility of the two-point. I […]

Patrick Bacon joined the United States Army when he was 21 years old. He would make it through the rigorous schools and selections required to enter the 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served in the 3rd Ranger Battalion, spending five years in the military and leaving as a sergeant with multiple deployments under his belt. […]

“Always grip your sword with the thought of killing.” “To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.”  – Miyamoto Musashi   All training for lethal combat regardless of form should be routed in death. That is not to say that escalation of force and rules of engagement do not apply […]

Filmmakers, from both outside Hollywood and in, have attempted a variety of ways to shoot action sequences. Some styles tend to draw more attention to themselves, like the visually tantalizing battlefields of “300,” while others try and help you feel completely immersed, like you’re not watching a film at all — “Black Hawk Down,” for […]