Blog Profile / The Best Defense

Did commanding an Army division in Iraq hurt one's chances of promotion?

Apparently it did. That's one of the many interesting conclusions Army Lt. Col. David Fivecoat offers in a terrific essay in the new issue of Parameters. I don't agree with everything he writes, but nonetheless am really pleased to see Fivecoat's article, because it is exactly he type of work I hoped my book The Generals would provoke. Show More Summary

Who kidnapped Obama the orator and replaced him with this guy at NDU?

By Emile Simpson Best Defense White House correspondent I thought President Obama's speech at NDU on Thursday was conceptual car crash -- a collision between two incompatible desires to aggregate, or disaggregate, threats. He spent half the speech saying he wants to end a war, not have endless conflict, and not blur boundaries. Show More Summary

Doonesbury's quiet Memorial Day

Rebecca's War dog of the Week: 'Call of Duty' gets a serious lookin' SEAL dog

By Rebecca Frankel Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent Call of Duty -- the popular video game series featuring many, many different warzone scenarios -- has a new game on the horizon: Call of Duty: Ghosts. In the official recently...Show More Summary

On suicide, sexual harassment and command: A Naval officer's experience

By "A. Naval Officer" Best Defense guest columnist I'd like to offer you my thoughts on this based on my experience in command. Not many folks know this, but as LT, I lost my deployment roommate to suicide about two weeks after we came...Show More Summary

Todd Greentree's seven principles for the next time we get mixed up in a small war

Todd Greentree, who served as director of the RC-South initiatives group in Kandahar during 2010-2011, offers hese recommendations in an article in the Journal of Strategic Studies: (1) Prepare above all to assist a government hrough...Show More Summary

Today's military sex scandal: SFC at West Point taped female cadets in the showers

The hits just keep on coming. Yesterday brought news that a sergeant first class at West Point has been charged with videotaping at least a dozen female cadets, some of them while they were in the shower or in other states of undress. Bonus...Show More Summary

Hey, the commandant's mystery reliefs are freaking out us Marine officers

By "A. Marine Officer" Best Defense guest columnist 1/9 CO likely deserved to be relieved. The Div CG relieved he battalion commander, the company commander, and the battalion gunner (a chief warrant officer weapons expert). Gunners are responsible for weapons raining and employment advice. Show More Summary

Another Army general hits the rocks

The commanding general of Ft. Jackson, S.C., was suspended on allegations of misconduct. Apparently it was an alleged zipper malfunction. I wish someone would get suspended on allegations of incompetence.

Comment of the day: Jim Gourley's thoughtful summary of the internet

In discussing my cranky comments about Twitter the other day, the always insightful Jim Gourley summarized how we have embraced the internet: "we decided to use that vast network as a giant repository of pornography and cat videos."

One thing I don't understand about the argument for U.S. intervention in Syria

Why would we want to get between the two sides of a fight that is, in part, between Hezbollah and al Qaeda?

Springtime in Pyongyang? China 'has secret plan to replace N. Korean leader'!

This is the second time I've heard lately about China perhaps deciding that regime change is the best course for handling North Korea. Fine by me.    Meanwhile, gunmen who may have been members of the North Korean military took over a Chinese fishing boat, stole its food and fuel, and demanded a ransom. Show More Summary

For once I agree with the head of Saudi Arabia's religious police -- about Twitter

The sheikh says Twitter is bad, and that anyone using it "has lost this world and his afterlife." A bit extreme, but I understand the sentiment. Myself, I would have put it in a more Wordsworthian way. I think that most social mediaShow More Summary

The answers to sexual assault and suicide may be the same: Dynamic leadership that makes soldiers feel like family

By Capt. Nick Nethery Best Defense guest columnist I'm wondering if the massive increase in sexual assaults over the last few years is similar to the massive increase in suicides in the same period. And I'm wondering if the responseShow More Summary

JOs, I was sympathetic, but now I'm not. Just take care of your people and move on.

By Capt. Amir Abu-Akeel, U.S. Army Best Defense guest columnist I've read the JO retention debate with quite a bit of interest. Initially, I found myself nodding in agreement with the disgruntled officers, but have since come to re-evaluate my...Show More Summary

Here's a reason for Army to get back to basics: It isn't good at remembering them

By Capt. Michael Carvelli, U.S. Army Best Defense guest columnist It is true that the U.S. Army does not follow its own doctrine, and it continues to do so even at the misfortune of soldiers. The stark lack of critical tasks degrades even the best of units as they plow hrough their deployments. Show More Summary

Rebecca's War Dog of the Week: A postcard pick-me-up from Bagram

By Rebecca Frankel Best Defense Chief Canine Correspondent Handler Staff Sgt. Jonathan Cooper of the 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Group takes a break with his dog dog, Astra, after a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) patrol at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan on April 29, 2013. Show More Summary

A new military competition: Has your base's sexual assault czar been arrested yet? And yes, there is in fact a silver bullet.

Now the manager of the sexual harassment and assault program at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, has been busted for allegedly violating a protective order banning him from contact with his ex-wife, and for stalking her. This makes me hink even...Show More Summary

Chamberlain's 1st trips in an airplane were the 'Munich' flights of Sept. '38 -- and where was Guy Burgess after Munich?

In the ever-growing category of things I didn't know: The first time British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain ever flew in an airplane was on 15 September 1938, to see Hitler at Berchtesgarden. Seeking to bolster his policy of appeasement,...Show More Summary

McHale's Pentagon

A SFC who was working in sex abuse education was running a prostitution ring on Fort Hood? Someone needs to stop making this stuff up. Oh, that's right, you can't make up stuff like this. I am surprised that SecDef Hagel isn't slugging four stars as they walk in his office, and then giving them noogies and banging their heads into he wall. Show More Summary