Written by MTI Athlete Joe Hampton Once an Eagle is a novel of epic proportions that is on almost every military leadership development reading list. However, despite the ubiquity of the book and its common recognition as a pillar novel for leadership development, few people have actually taken the time to read it cover to […]
Knowledge
Best Chocolate Cookie Recipe Ever!
By Rob Shaul I’m no foodie … but my wife is. She swears this recipe is the best she’s found. Enjoy … Ingredients: 2 cups minus 4 Tbs All Purpose flour (put 2 cups in, take 4 tablespoons out) 2 Tbs cornstarch 1 2/3 cup bread flour 1 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 1/2 tsp […]
Research Round-Up: Predicting 8-Mile Loaded March Performance in British Army Personnel
BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) A study on British Army personnel found that 1.5-mile run time and body mass are the most reliable predictors of 8-mile Loaded March (LM) performance, regardless of sex. The research highlights that aerobic fitness and weight are critical factors for load-carrying capability, while muscular strength (e.g., lift capacity) adds little […]
Arete 1.29.25
Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Theory to Reality: Defensive Operations Confirm Clausewitz’s Theory, Real Clear Defense Trump Aims To Cut US Force in Europe by 20,000, Stars & Stripes DoD Eyes Tactical Drones for Troops Deployed to the Border, Defense Scoop Is Donald Trump just another hawk?, UnHerd Military Effort to Scrub Diversity Programs Leads […]
MTI Athlete Team: Favorite Piece of Gear
Dave Pappas – Police Officer/SWAT: Quick Detach Earpiece My favorite piece of gear for work is the Comms Gear Supply Quick Detach Earpiece. I’ve used this earpiece for about 6 years now and it works so well with my day to day patrol duties. For years I was having trouble hearing my calls through […]
Beyond the Flames: Building Leaders and Battling Wildfires Dan Dobyns, Superintendent of the Diamond Mountain Hotshots
Below are some highlights from my Podcast Interview with Dan Dobyns. – Rob Shaul Click HERE for the full Youtube Interview. Fitness Standards and the Mo’ Hill Test Rob Shaul: Tell me about your Hill. Dan Dobyns: Mo, it’s been here. It’s a huge part of our culture and tradition. And I wholeheartedly believe it […]
Arete 1.22.25
Trump’s Impact A New NATO Deal for America, The Free Press A First Draft For Secretary Hegseth, Real Clear Defense Trump Is Opening Pandora’s Box, The Free Press Deep cuts in Army, EUCOM downsizing among plans pushed by 2 Trump defense strategists, Stars & Stripes US military ordering thousands more troops to southern border, CNN […]
Research Deep Dive: 10–20 Minutes of Post-Training Walking Rivals Foam Rolling, Cold Water Immersion, and Massage for DOMS Relief
By Rob Shaul BLUF: Simple post-training walking is as effective or better than cold water immersion, massage, stretching and foam rolling for relieving Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS). Walking is an effective, simple and cheap recovery tool for athletes and coaches. Walking to Alleviate DOMS DOMS arises from microtrauma to muscle fibers, often exacerbated by […]
Research Deep Dive: The Lower Body Strength and Injury Connection – Does Strength Increase Durability?
By Rob Shaul BLUF: The research is skinny, but findings across tactical and other occupations, as well as team and endurance sports have found that higher lower body strength decreases lower body injury rates. Below is a summary of research that’s occured on this topic within the last 10 years, and at the end is […]
Arete 1.15.25
Military, National Defense, Foreign Policy Russia warned its ‘shadow fleet’ could face action from NATO allies, Moscow Times NATO launches new naval operation in Baltic sea after severed cables, Washington Post Sweden to join Baltic Sea operation to protect undersea cables, Bradenton Breaking News 101st Combat Aviation Brigade to deploy to Middle East for counter-ISIS […]