SSD

By Brian Dillon, MTI Contributor Avy Shovel: Black Diamond Evac 9 Normally, you will always hear the phrase, “beacon, shovel, probe”, in any backcountry circle, particularly in Colorado where the snow is notoriously dangerous for a portion of the winter season. While all three are critical to mitigating avalanche fatalities, the shovel is typically underrated.  […]

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy El Al to stop flights to South Africa following ICJ genocide case – report, JPost.com The First Medal of Honor Recipient of the Vietnam War Dies at Age 89, military.com CIA director secretly visits Somalia and Kenya amidst rising tensions in East Africa, Intelnews.org In Norway, young people compete to […]

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Russia Regains Upper Hand in Ukraine’s East as Kyiv’s Troops Flag, NY Times Vietnam Isn’t North Korea—and 50 Years of Australian Aid Has Helped, HSN How Quickly Could Iran Make Nuclear Weapons Today?, HSN What’s Behind the Surge in Attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, RAND British military takes out moving drone […]

By Brian Reed, MTI Contributor I joined the Army at 18 on 1 July 1985 when I entered the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point.  Upon graduation, my plan was to do my 5-year active-duty service obligation (ADSO) and then get out – “5 and fly.”  I retired on 1 September 2023, over […]

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigns, Al Jazeera French colonel: Ukraine will run out of ammo in February, Pravda Report Sweden to send 800 troops to Russian borders to get ready for war, Pravda Report ­­Ukraine Has a Pathway to Victory, Foreign Policy It’s Not Too Late for Biden to […]

By Carl Amolat, MTI Contributor BLUF: When I was deployed to Kuwait in 2022 I first found the article about the Happiness Formula during some downtime. Needless to say, aboard Camp Arifjan during my deployment and during my subsequent demobilization and return to my home in Florida I spent quite a bit of time thinking […]

By Craig Hysell, MTI Contributor My jiu-jitsu instructor’s movements were smooth, patient, and meticulous. When he demonstrated being in a bad spot, he made the bad spot look better than the good spot. He was light, lean, lethal, highly energetic and looked like he was in his early to mid-50’s.  He was closer to 70. […]

Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Arkansas Air Guard wing commander resigns over abortion policy, Governor says, Task & Purpose (T&P) More than 100 killed in Iran blasts near Soleimani’s tomb during ceremony, Al Jazeera Israel’s controversial use of weapons in Gaza, Al Jazeera Drone attack leaves 82nd Airborne pilot critically injured with head injury, T&P […]

By Brian Reed, MTI Contributor Ray was hands down the best Soldier in the Battalion. He lived it every day.  Not flashy, not emotional…simply steady…and really, really good.  As the senior Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) in the unit, he was the standard by which everyone in the 700+ manned formation measured themselves.  He was physically fit; […]

By Rob Simpson, MTI Contributor Flight Doc to me: “We’re going to have to ground you.” As a career aviator, those are words you never want to hear. At least  I never wanted to hear them. Over the course of a long career, there were a few down chits for short term tweaks here and […]