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I came across this piece shortly after it was published in late October '24. I have left it open on my computer ever since and I go back to it often. It is quite telling, yet every time I ponder writing about it, I feel the pull of politicsโand I hate that. This is not …
Continue reading "Time to Reload: Strategic Velocity, Defense Reformation: DeMarco Banter"
We had an AUiX teammate PCS this week. As is tradition, we give our PCSing officers a Star Wars-themed farewell giftโthis time, a replica of Han Soloโs iconic blaster. I considered adding a plaque that simply read: โWho shot first?โ But as I floated the idea, I realized only about half the room caught the …
As a squadron commander, I spent countless hours with our team in Air Operations Centers around the world, developing strategy, writing operational plans, wargaming, and wrestling with the ambiguity that defines modern conflict. We were serious about our craftโso much so that we garnered a nickname: The Masterminds. It wasnโt a boast, but a reflection …
There is something unsettling, even dangerous, about the iconoclast. From the origin of the word itselfโa compound of the Greek eikลn, meaning "image," and klan, "to break"โthe iconoclast has always been defined in opposition to sacred norms. In its earliest usage, the term described those who quite literally smashed religious images during the Byzantine Iconoclasm …
In the evolving landscape of twenty-first-century conflict, traditional domains of warfareโland, sea, air, space, and even cyberโare now accompanied by a more elusive and insidious front: the human mind. Dubbed "cognitive warfare," this emerging domain does not target physical infrastructure or conventional forces, but the very frameworks individuals and societies use to perceive, interpret, and …
Friedrich Nietzsche warned us: โHe who fights with monsters should be careful lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.โ It was a 19th-century philosophical warning about moral corruption and existential danger. Today, it reads like a headline. Nietzscheโs famous quote appears in …
| May the 4th Celebration, 2025 A Galaxy Far, Far Awayโand Closer Than We Think Maybe I read too much into Star Wars--but every year on May the 4th, fans around the world come together to celebrate one of the most powerful myths of the modern era: Star Wars. It is more than just a film …
Introduction: The Philosophical Depth of a Song The Grateful Deadโs Touch of Grey, beyond being a cultural touchstone and their only Top 10 hit, offers profound reflections on the human condition. With its famous refrain, "I will get by, I will survive," the song encapsulates a dual philosophical stanceโcombining the endurance of Stoicism with the …
Introduction The search for purpose is arguably one of humanityโs oldest and most profound endeavors. Philosophers, theologians, and psychologists alike have sought to understand how individuals find meaning in their lives. From the dialogues of Socrates to contemporary studies in psychology, the question of purpose remains central to human existence. I just wanted to take …
Continue reading "Finding Oneโs Purpose: Ancient Wisdom and Modern Inquiry โ DeMarco Banter"
When discussing leadership, innovation, strategy, or even everyday events, people often find it easier to critique than to create. Consider the world of sportsโafter every major football game, there is an influx of โMonday morning quarterbacksโ who analyze every play with the benefit of hindsight, pointing out flaws without considering the immense difficulty of executing …
Mastermind Century Group 