Bit late to the party, but very much enjoying these two. @swbfolsom.bsky.social has written another insightful and engaging memoir (review to follow), whilst Tripodi's study is a genuine eye-opener and deftly pushes back on the primacy of 'political' action in contemporary COIN. #HistBookChat

Gov’t shuts down & one agency impacted is the VA. That’s expected. But we *shouldn’t* expect the VA—Doug Collins—to shamelessly blame Democrats for the lack of support vets will face. Politicizing the VA—an organization created to serve those who served selflessly—is despicable.

The proof is in the reading, original and groundbreaking books are never an easy sell.

SecWar’s speech today would certainly resonate with the Marines and sailors of my last command — both the 50% who thought I was a fascist *and* the 50% who thought I was too woke.

Many thanks once again to my good friend Dr. Philip W. Blood @philipwblood.bsky.social for this tremendous opportunity… and once again proof that I absolutely suck at extemporaneous speaking. Apologies in advance! open.substack.com/pub/philipwb...

20 years after we met and became instant friends, I was grateful for the opportunity to catch up with my good friend, @philipwblood.bsky.social, on his podcast, “The Historian’s Stammtisch.” He asked some hard questions, and I was happy to answer them.

I am honored that the Military Writers Society of America just awarded ‘Nothing Here Worth Dying For’ the 2025 Gold Medal for Best Memoir. www.prlog.org/13100571-mil...

The music of Nirvana lives on through the 1st Marine Division Band.

The music of Ozzy Osbourne lives on through community steel pan.

SOON!

Re-invading Afghanistan. Yeah, that’s a *great* idea.

You think political violence is bad now? Check out how bad it could get in Dan Carlin’s @dancarlin.bsky.social Hardcore History episode about the revolutionary era of the late 1960s-early 1970s: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/d...

How it started vs. How it’s going

Want to never sleep soundly again? Read Annie Jacobsen’s “Nuclear War: A Scenario,” and then spend a few hours messing around on NUKEMAP: nuclearsecrecy.com/nukemap/

SoCal sunset.

Congratulations to @zachota.bsky.social on his selection to command 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines — “The Professionals.” Bravo Zulu, and well-deserved!

Seen in the wild

Ozzy Osbourne, the original rock & roll rebel, is gone. He sang about good & evil, struggles w/fame & substance abuse, & his eternal wait for darkness. He also sang about & loved his family. Godspeed, Ozzy, on your journey to the center of eternity; we love you & we’ll see you on the other side.

Ozzy Osbourne, the original rock & roll rebel, is gone. He sang about good & evil, struggles w/fame & substance abuse, & his eternal wait for darkness. He also sang about & loved his family. Godspeed, Ozzy, on your journey to the center of eternity; we love you & we’ll see you on the other side.

Saw this masterpiece in person today at the National Gallery, and all I could think about was the “Painfotainment” episode of Hardcore History by @dancarlin.bsky.social

I’ve found my new calling: Cat Wrangler.

Look at this sweet bastard.

One of my life’s regrets will be that I never saw Black Sabbath live. I can only say that I wish I had been in Birmingham for this historic event.

It’s always humbling when something you wrote ends up on someone’s ‘favorite Books of the Year’ list, but to paraphrase @stephenking.bsky.social , there’s something a little depressing about people saying you did your best work 20 years ago.

This story by @radiofreetom.bsky.social is the most important thing you will read today. @queenofthinair.bsky.social is a model for what everyone should be doing now more than ever: Standing up for what is right, even if you’re standing alone.

This never gets old.

Seems timely.

Seems timely.

Super awesome that the ICE agents and National Guard soldiers are dressed exactly alike.

Deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles, huh? This will not end well.

You know you’ve succeeded as a father when one daughter regularly belts out Audioslave lyrics with her band, and the other daughter asks you to review the college final paper she wrote about Apocalypse Now.

Curiously, the Marine Corps sent my teenage daughter a recruiting packet that included a poster-size Declaration of Independence. Yes, we are nearing its 250th anniversary. And yet, ironically, it outlines all of the colonists’ grievances against the king. What was old shall be new again.

Since LCpl Suarez del Solar’s death in 2003, every year possible I have visited him at Oak Hill Memorial Park. Every year his mother Rosa has been there, grieving her son’s loss; she never got over his death. I saw her there this morning too… she’s now buried right next to him.

Memorial Day weekend is my time to remember the Marines who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan while under my command. Please read their stories and think about them and their families this weekend.

Memorial Day weekend is my time to remember the Marines who were killed in Iraq and Afghanistan while under my command. Please read their stories and think about them and their families this weekend.

This thing could sleep under artillery fire.

Article is behind a paywall, but I’m certain “Nothing Here Worth Dying For” is on the list. I am assured of this…

When people ask me why I write books, this is one of the reasons.

12-year olds are running our country.

I will never be as cool or yoked as AI seems to think my limited edition action figure would be.

If you haven’t listened to @dancarlin.bsky.social ‘s latest Common Sense podcast episode, “What’s Food for the Goose,” you have no idea what you’re missing. The man is a national treasure in these troubling, dangerous times.

Val Kilmer, who portrayed Jim Morrison, has died at 65.

Many will choose to remember Val Kilmer for his roles in Top Gun and Tombstone. I choose to remember his portrayal of Jim Morrison in The Doors as his ultimate masterpiece. #RIPValKilmer

LCpl Jesus Suarez del Solar died 22 years ago today from an unexploded U.S. cluster munition in Iraq. He was born in Tijuana & was not a U.S. citizen, but he gave his life in the service of this nation. I was fortunate to serve with him; you too are fortunate for such men.

Oh, I suppose he personally signs every military retirement certificate too, right?

Author copies finally in hand. Lot of people to thank for their support as I took this book from draft to publication, as well as the faithful reposts of my shameless marketing posts. The list outruns my Bluesky character limit, so please know I appreciate you. It takes a village!

“Nothing Here Worth Dying For” is back at Amazon’s #1 new release spot, but it also appears to be sold out now. Fear not… I’m sure Naval Institute Press has plenty of copies available at www.usni.org/press/books/...

Today’s the day! “Nothing Here Worth Dying For” is finally available. I hope you enjoy the story of Task Force Lion in Iraq and what our team accomplished together. Get your copy now from @navalinstitute.bsky.social , Amazon, and anywhere fine books are sold.

I had a great time with Jim Cardoso at the Global and National Security Institute discussing my Task Force Lion team and our experiences in “Nothing Here Worth Dying For.” Perfect timing… the book comes out tomorrow! ow.ly/vSBr50V1jUm