Lethal Minds Volume 27
Lethal Minds Volume 27
Volume 27, 01 October, 2024
Letter from the Editor
I am late writing this. Normally, I am done well before the deadlines I establish for everyone at Lethal Minds Journal. But this month has been a little crazy even before Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and perhaps most of all, North Carolina, took a historic hit, so it’s the day before you ought to be reading this and I am re-writing it. In the NC mountains, whole communities have literally been washed away. Towns where I’ve walked with my family simply no longer exist, at least not physically. But a town is the people that live there, bound by their collective idea that “This is the place we should be” that truly holds it together more than any nails or cement. I live on the North Carolina coast where I get plenty of chances to experience insane winds, rain, and water rushing in places where it ought not to be. Accordingly, I have things that can help in the aftermath. A four-wheel drive pickup. Multiple chainsaws. A winch. I’m not a prepper and I don’t spend much time panting over what knife to carry or which tourniquet is the coolest. But I do think a veteran is obligated to be prepared, if only because many of our civilian peers think we are and will look to us when it counts. Now it counts on the far end of my state. Veterans should be ready to lead. Not in the “Look at me! Thank me for my service!” vein chosen by some of our number. Rather, in the sense of being the figurative rock in the windstorm, the person who says, “I’ll be walking the neighborhood early tomorrow and seeing who needs a tree cleaned up” or “Call me if you need help.” There’s a lot of shared humanity in desperate times, a lesson a lot of us learned when we were young, and it’s something we can teach by example now. Everyone wants to help in the aftermath. That’s human and there are immediate needs. You know the drill. Start the breathing. Stop the bleeding. Protect the wound. Treat for shock. In the meantime, the pros are getting on the ground in Western North Carolina. They need your help and you can provide it via the following vetted and well known means: Salvation Army and American Red Cross. There are countless other groups and many ways to help, but never forget that cash is king in these situations. Trained emergency responders will start the breathing. Volunteers will stop the bleeding. When the immediacy of all that calms down, when I can be an asset rather than another problem, I will look to help. I won’t ask what anyone thinks about the issues of the day. I won’t make sure they believe what I believe. I’ll just grab a shovel or an axe or a chainsaw or my checkbook and go to work. There will be a lot of shock for which to treat. Times like this show what America is. As a veteran, you’re already an example of what America is. So are the folks who have given us their help this month. We have their thoughts on military education and reading, on putting your head down and doing the work, on getting on with getting on. We also want your opinions, your professional lessons learned, your thoughts, and your art. That really means we want your help. All you have to be is a veteran or serving member of the armed forces. Fire for Effect, Russell Worth Parker Editor in Chief - Lethal Minds Journal Submissions are open at lethalmindsjournal.submissions@gmail.com. Dedicated to those who serve, those who have served, and those who paid the final price for their country.
Two Grunts Inc. is proud to sponsor Lethal Minds Journal and all of their publications and endeavors. Like our name says we share a similar background to the people behind the Lethal Minds Journal, and to the many, many contributors. Just as possessing the requisite knowledge is crucial for success, equipping oneself with the appropriate tools is equally imperative. At Two Grunts Inc., we are committed to providing the necessary tools to excel in any situation that may arise. Our motto, “Purpose-Built Work Guns. Rifles made to last,” reflects our dedication to quality and longevity. With meticulous attention to manufacturing and stringent quality control measures, we ensure that each part upholds our standards from inception to the final rifle assembly. Whether you seek something for occasional training or professional deployment, our rifles cater to individuals serious about their equipment. We’re committed to supporting The Lethal Minds Journal and its readers, so if you’re interested in purchasing one of our products let us know you’re a LMJ reader and we’ll get you squared away. Stay informed. Stay deadly. -Matt Patruno USMC, 0311 (OIF) twogruntsinc.com support@twogruntsinc.com
In This Issue
Opinion
Subject to Student Match: The Right Books For The Right Marines
Written Word
It Has to End Sometime
Turn on The Radio
The World Today
Democracy at a Crossroads: Reflections on the 2024 Election Year
Poetry and Art
If I Only Had
Javier Lara Photography
Opinion
Op-Eds and general thought pieces meant to spark conversation and introspection.
Subject to Student Match: The Right Books For The Right Marines
Joshua Sulnetic
As it stands today, the United States Marine Corps places significant importance on the professional development of its non-commissioned officers. It initiates Professional Military Education at a lower level than any other branch. It provides resources for those who have yet to earn the title (Recruits and Poolees) to begin preparing for their careers as members of the profession of arms through the Commandant’s Professional Reading List. This list, a cornerstone of our professional development, is a testament to our commitment to continuous learning and growth at all ranks.
The Commandant’s Professional Reading List (CPRL) was codified in 1989 by “the enlisted Marines’ Commandant,” General Alfred M. Gray Jr, and since then, has been updated by every Commandant of the Marine Corps to “improve Marines’ understanding of the military profession, the nature of warfare, and develop decision-making and critical-thinking skills.”1 The CPRL has recently been updated to include six core sections: Commandant’s Choice, Profession of Arms, Innovation, Leadership, Strategy, and Foundational. The latter section is more like the traditional CPRL, assigning specific titles to the ranks that should be reading them as the foundation of their general self-education. They cover a wide range of topics, such as leadership, history, and strategy. This is a great way to ensure that Marines of all ranks and billets have a resource to look to for information on how to better educate themselves as members of the profession of arms across a wide spectrum of pertinent subjects. But from what I have seen, it is not being utilized as it should be, and for a rather simple reason: young Marines aren’t interested.
In warfare, certain weapons engage certain targets based on a prescribed weapon-to-target match. Mechanized vehicles are engaged with high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) rounds, bunkers are engaged with machine guns and high explosive dual penetration (HEDP) rounds, and individual targets are engaged with rifle fire. This is because certain weapons, despite doing more damage, may not be best applied to smaller targets. We need to think of prescribed reading more similarly: we should find the weapon to target match for books to Marines.
Commandant’s Choice
Let us begin with the “Commandant’s Choice.” As you will see with many of these titles, some are good, but others should be shifted to a different position. The good titles include First to Fight by LtGen Victor H. Krulak, The Leader’s Bookshelf by Stavridis and Ancell, and MCDP 1: Warfighting. Each of these books develops a foundation of knowledge for all ranks: First to Fight speaks on the history of the Corps from the Revolution to Vietnam, The Leader’s Bookshelf gives valuable suggestions for books from the libraries of flag officers across the military, and Warfighting develops an understanding of why and how the Marine Corps fights. However, other titles on this list do not make much sense as a baseline for all ranks. A Private will likely have little to no interest in learning how to be successful like the All Blacks (New Zealand’s national rugby team) from Legacy by James Kerr, or how “hiring ‘neuro-diverse’ workers and creating empathetic shampoo bottles signal[s] a dramatic shift toward compassion in the workplace,”2 from Rohit Bhargava’s Non-Obvious. I have noticed a shift in my peers and younger Marines in reading these Wall Street Journal-esque “learn to lead people” titles. Still, I am confident that even the young entrepreneurs will hold little interest in A World In Disarray by Richard Haass, which talks about globalism and geopolitics in the 21st century. It’s likely safe to assume junior Marines think more about their next chow or liberty timeline than “updating the global operating system.” I have not read any of these three books, so I cannot personally speak to the value each holds to the military profession, but I am sure that they hold some value given their place on the list. As a former 18-year-old Private First Class, I can also be sure that many young Marines will have no interest in these three books, and there are titles out there that will be more useful to them. We need titles that are informative, engaging, and relevant to the daily lives and challenges of our enlisted Marines.
The “Commandant’s Choice” subsection could be seen as the foundation's foundation since it is geared toward all Marines, according to the CPRL website. Therefore, it may help for it to be stocked with titles that build a foundation of professional knowledge all Marines can build upon. Titles like The Warrior Ethos by Steven Pressfield could be placed here so Marines can build on an already established understanding of moral foundations. Publications such as MCDP 1-3: Tactics and MCWP 6-11: Leading Marines should also be included to develop a foundation of understanding on leading in and out of combat (something all Marines should be expected to do since every Marine is expected to be a leader and a rifleman).
Also, we should remember that every Marine has sworn an oath to “…support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic…” Every Marine should understand the Constitution of the United States of America since they have sworn an oath that they are willing to fight and possibly die to uphold the principles that the document stands for. It is also well understood within the Corps that one of our secondary duties is to develop Marines to be successful and knowledgeable American citizens. As stated in Major James Stephens’ Marine Corps Gazette article “Better Citizens:” “The Corps has an implicit responsibility to return better citizens to American society.”3 Since the dawn of our Republic it has been understood that good citizens understand their liberties and rights, as well as how the government operates. It’s a primary reason Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison wrote The Federalist Papers during the framing of the Constitution.4 Therefore, the Constitution and its Amendments should be required reading for all Marines, as well as at minimum certain articles collected in The Federalist Papers.
Understandably, some would argue that the Commandant’s Choice section is just that: a list of books that the Commandant of the Marine Corps fancies would be good reading for all Marines. That, in and of itself, is understandable. But if that is the case, there still fails to be a foundation common to all Marines that the Marine Corps can stand behind and say, “Understanding the concepts laid out within these titles is paramount to understanding your role as a member of the Marine Corps, Department of Defense, and as an American citizen.” Rather than developing a totally separate list, it may help for the “Commandants Choice” titles to reflect that foundation. Otherwise, a separate category could be developed under a title similar to “Foundational Reading for All Marines.”
Junior Enlisted Titles
Many of the titles under Primary Level Enlisted (Private, Private First Class, and Lance Corporal) and Career Level Enlisted (Corporal and Sergeant) are phenomenal reads. I have many suggested books on my bookshelf, such as Ender’s Game, The Last Stand of Fox Company, Rifleman Dodd, Battle Leadership, and With the Old Breed. However, some titles hold little to no appeal to the young Marine, such as On Combat and On Killing by Dave Grossman or The Revenge of Geography by Robert Kaplan. Most Marines in their first enlistment are aged 17 to 23, and most young men and women who enlist in the Marine Corps do not do so with the primary intent of learning about geopolitics or the psychology and sociology of warfare. Often, they like the appeal of shooting machine guns, flying in helicopters, or turning wrenches on tanks, planes, and trucks; they feel a draw towards a life of service to their nation; or they are trying to develop themselves as adults and learn skills to take into the civilian sector. You will be hard-pressed to go to a Marine Corps recruiting sub-station and find a poolee who wants to become a Marine so they can become a student of psychology or history through the Marine Corps (this is not counting those joining for GI Bill benefits since they can enter any branch of service to get the same benefits). However, understanding warfare is critical as they progress up the chain and step into leadership billets. As General Krulak said, “Training is preparation for the expected. Education is preparation for the unexpected.” So, how can we educate young enlisted Marines on warfare in a way that will keep them engaged?
The best approach would be to ask Marines what they are reading, take their suggestions, and push them into the CPRL. We could also go to bookstores near Marine Corps bases and ask them for demographic information on what young Marines are purchasing. Rather than pushing a square block into a round hole, we should look for what is already fitting and emulate it.
Another route could be to take a less research-centric approach and think critically. If young Marines don’t want to read what are effectively long research papers, then give them stories, both fiction and non-fiction, of warriors from the past. Books such as The Things They Carried, I’m Staying With My Boys, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Storm of Steel are shorter, more exciting, and more engaging to young adults than hundreds of pages of meticulous research. They also deal with some of the most critical factors of warfare that these young Marines will deal with, such as the human dimension and the fog of war.5
Implementation
We have already discussed possible changes to suggested reading for young Marines. The question now stands: How do we implement this? Right now, the most common way for the reading list to be “enforced” is through essays written by Marines for brownie points toward promotion. Though good in theory, from what I have seen, it is poor in practice. Most Marines I have spoken to take advantage of websites like SparkNotes or generative artificial intelligence to write essays of titles from the CPRL rather than taking the time to read and learn from the book. They view it in the same light as many MarineNet courses: a check in the box to earn promotion points rather than a way to develop themselves as professionals and critical thinkers. On top of that, many young Marines do not read as much as they probably should. This is not necessarily bad, since these Marines are likely more focused on the technical aspects of their job than the educational or more theoretical aspects: the science of war versus the art of war. So, how do we implement the art of war into their education?
The easiest way is likely to update the program of instruction in the lowest levels of enlisted PME: Lance Corporal’s Seminar and Corporal’s Course. Though “Lance Camp” (as it is affectionately known to many) is too short to dedicate large blocks of time to reading, key passages and lessons can be pulled from titles in the Primary Level Enlisted subsection of the CPRL and integrated into already existing blocs of instruction. For Corporal’s Course, allow the instructors to decide on one book from the Career Level Enlisted list that is to be read throughout the two to three-week course, with thirty minutes or so allocated periodically every day or two to discuss the lessons learned in the assigned part and how it is relevant to our profession.
Conclusion
If the Marine Corps is to take the professional education of its lowest enlisted members seriously, it must develop and implement professional reading based on a realistic understanding of the target audience rather than the understanding of senior leaders who are decades removed from the mindset of the current generation of young enlisted Marines. By effectively determining a subject-to-student match, we will succeed in getting the proverbial feet in the door of professional reading, and it will make it easier to add more complex and detailed titles into the suggested reading for Sergeants and Staff NCOs, who will have already begun to develop the ability to find and take away crucial lessons from higher-level writing.
Citations:
1: Marine Corps University Press (2024, April 30). Commandant's Professional Reading List. Marine Corps University. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.mca-marines.org/resource/commandants-professional-reading-list/
2: Marine Corps Association (2024, May 20). Commandant's Professional Reading List. Marine Corps Association and Foundation. Retrieved June 20, 2024, from https://www.mca-marines.org/resource/commandants-professional-reading-list/
3: Stephens, J. M. (2022). Better Citizens. Marine Corps Gazette, 106(8), WE8. https://www.mca-marines.org/wp-content/uploads/Better-Citizens.pdf
4: Hamilton, A. (1787). General Introduction. The Federalist Papers, 1.
5: (2018). MCDP-1: Warfighting. United States Government.
Written Word
Fiction and Nonfiction written by servicemen and veterans.
It Has to End Sometime
Frank Gonzales
A year ago, I was tumbling down a hill of emotional turmoil in the wake of heartache, heartbreak, love, loss, wins, and losses in rapid succession. The remedy my mind prescribed for this state? Another deployment. What they don’t tell you in any of the leadership and tactics courses is that sometimes facing external danger and hardship is just a cover-up for running from your internal problems.
So, I made ready my life, got people to move in and take care of the house and the dog, and returned to a life of familiarity in a desert land with weapon systems on the range, bearded brawlers running when they had to, and throwing plates around in the gym when they weren’t on missions. But deep down, I knew why I was running. I had failed to make a life for myself. I failed to adapt to the society I craved and missed, the one I had told myself I was doing a great job of getting to know again. Despite my facade, the only real attachments I had to the land of the free were a mortgage and a four-legged furball who was afraid of his own shadow. So, I fled back to familiarity.
I accepted that this was my fate. To be in a cult that ran on steel and the capacity for violence but with strict control of it. Those were my people, and it was good to be back with them. So, I threw myself back into the lifestyle. Problems fade, and nothing can touch you in a country where indirect fire is more likely to occur than rainfall.
But then something unexpected happened. A damsel in distress appeared on my doorstep. Seductive and vulnerable as she appeared, I bought into every word of her troubled tale: the abuse, the turmoil, the heartbreak. She was someone I had been looking for to bridge the two worlds I loved. She was something to protect. I lunged at the opportunity and became addicted to her attention.
Things accelerated. With passion and lust, we gave every free moment to each other. I was looking for something to cling to and bring me home. She was looking for a temporary escape and just didn’t know it. So we fell for a bit. Then one of us stopped falling. The other tried to pull them on in a tailspin, but the spell was broken. She was done with me, and I was just in denial about the magical dance we had with each other.
Six months ago, I was in a foreign country, carrying a rifle and wishing the beautiful woman I had fallen for still had time for video calls. To occupy my mind, I went back to school, reading about Camelot. I felt sympathy for the troubled king, not for the daunting task of leading men better than he, nor for the terrible fate that awaited him and his kingdom. I felt for him because he loved a woman who loved another, and he had to pretend not to notice so that everyone could go on happy with their lives except him. What a terrible choice to have to make for the good of your loved ones and kingdom.
I arrived home and it was clear things were done, but I didn’t want to admit it. One good week, then deterioration set in, with the slow decay of what could have been into toxicity and malice. One final argument leads to an act we can’t come back from and the severance of a tie I never wanted to break. I only have a few weeks home, and the final ones are spent in a drunken stupor, trying to erase the memories I wish I never had.
I fly away with an uneasy feeling that fate is a fickle bitch, and so is love. After the fallout between us, I feel as if I’ve been exposed too much. Trust is broken in one relationship, and the poison oozes out and infects the others. My suspicion doesn’t help, but eventually, I confirm that the seeds of distrust and betrayal are sown. Rapid texts and some tense calls reveal that someone put my name on a court document while I was gone. My home and career are now in jeopardy. I have a couple of options. Let my dog be abandoned and live as a fugitive for a while, or return home to face the music. The choice is simple because I’ve never been fond of running.
I flew home on an unexpected flight and arrived to an empty house and a dog who looked shocked that I was alive. The next morning, I was served the papers that say I committed domestic violence, filed by a woman who wants to deny the relationship existed at all. Odd, considering it’s a requirement for the accusations. But I set about cutting all ties with the people connected to her, no matter how much love I have for them. A few tender heartstrings got plucked, and I got pulled back to a place I’m told is my home. Time reveals that even that is a mistake, and I’m left with more scars on my heart.
Today, I am tumbling down a hill of emotional turmoil in the wake of heartache, heartbreak, love, loss, wins, and losses in rapid succession. The opportunity to run away and hide from my problems in a war-torn country is no longer available. Ironically, the actions of the woman who claims she is scared of me are keeping me close when I want to be back at work in an armored car, 7,000 miles away. So, in the wake of a life that I have had to watch crumble around me, I am left with no choice but to dust off, pick up the pieces that are left, and begin to rebuild.
I don’t really sleep much anymore. I pass out around 10 or 11 after a drink or seven and get maybe 3-4 hours of peace on a good night. Then I’m roused from that slumber by the gnawing situation at hand, a mix of an urge to act in the face of urgency with the anxiety of being unable to take action. For about fifteen seconds after I regain consciousness, I’m my usual self, waking to a world of opportunity. But then the reality of my circumstances set in, and I can feel my heart rate accelerating. Every day, I wonder how much more of this I can take. How many more days am I going to wake up to another day of the sky falling? Will today bring another former friend leveling unfounded accusations due to siren solicitations, or will I be blessed enough to simply face the sinking of my Titanic silently, frantically trying to get water out of the hull with a single bucket?
At times like those, my mind travels even further backward in time. Over a decade ago, I was eighteen and covered in camouflage, hiding in the hills of California. I had left home for the Corps a full week after my high school graduation. An honors student, I decided more school wasn’t for me, and instead sat in classrooms between days and nights in the field, trying to stay awake in classes that covered machine gun emplacement, patrolling, and communications. Something gets lost in this last subject between the military and civilian world. Civilians seem to think that if you’re a good combatant and have been educated in the above subjects, that makes you a ticking time bomb of violence in modern society. While the capacity for violence is an admired trait in a warrior culture, it is not what makes one a good warrior.
It’s self-control, or discipline, whatever you want to call it, that sets one apart. Self-control is the chief trait of the warrior cult. The young men and the outsiders think it’s aggression, but that part is easy. Any hothead can get amped up and run through walls and beat his chest, and charge into the first door of a house. But the experienced ones are the ones who make that charge and when they see the women and children in the house, don’t pull the trigger. Loss of self-control brings swift results. If you are caught shivering in the cold, you’re shamed. If you make noise that gives away your position, you put the lives of those around you in danger. If you break the rules of engagement, you will be put in a cell. But on the other end of the spectrum, if you don’t act at some point, people can get hurt or worse. Ask a young sergeant who came back from Kabul when his friends didn’t.
As I was learning these lessons, the words of a single instructor who grew up in a small town an hour from my own, one known for saloons and the OK Corral, echoed in my head. “It has to end sometime, gents.” The storm will eventually pass. The beatings will eventually stop. Even if it’s just to reload, your adversary will have to pause eventually. All you can do is be as ready as possible when that moment comes. Exercise self-control until the moment to act presents itself.
For a decade, I prided myself on self-control. For a decade, my own discipline granted me fortune. My peers in the military didn’t realize that that attribute gave me opportunities. There were many who could do the job better, had greater skills with a weapon, were more physically capable, more intelligent, and better in every way. But not many had more self-control.
But it doesn’t take much to make a castle crumble. All I can do is wait for the assault to stop and try to run. If it doesn’t, my lease on a life I loved will be lost. All due to my own lack of self-control, to not watching my surroundings, to not protecting myself. It was a lack of discipline and a lesson learned. All I can do is wait for my enemy to stop attacking and then make the most of the opportunity.
Until then, I was taught, you do the small things well. Pack your pack tightly at all times so you are ready to move. Stay vigilant. Conceal yourself in hostile environments. Move with a purpose. And when you’re exhausted from days or weeks of doing these small things, and you’re wondering how much more you can take, there’s just one thing left to do: focus on the task at hand, dig one more shovelful out of your fighting hole, scan the area again, then put one foot in front of the other. And remember, it has to end sometime.
Turn on The Radio
Benjamin Van Horrick
The fuck with your hunch.
It’s him, Sergeant. It’s Objective Lithium Marlins.
Fuck you, Radio - it’s a farmer. This is Helmand. Everyone looks the fucking same.
Those intel weenies and their cool ass names, thought Madman. He supposed Bad Guy Number 1 and Bad Guy Number 2 would rip the veneer off as if they were Jason Bourne or James Bond.
An Afghan farmer caught the attention of the patrol. His shifty moves made the patrol stop to question him, and his face caught the eye of Radio.
Sergeant Peter “Madman” Madison lost his best Marine four days ago, and now his worst Marine was trying to hijack his patrol based on a hunch.
Lance Corporal Rufus Adam Douglas, nicknamed “Radio,” was a socially awkward, borderline autistic Marine. His squad marveled at his oddities and quirks. They cursed his recruiter but protected and guided him as best they could. The name came from a Cuba Gooding Jr. movie where a gracious high school football coach mentored a young man with an intellectual disability.
This was not a movie.
This was an infantry squad in Helmand.
Little room remained for mentorship.
“Maybe Radio is right, Madman,” chimed in Corporal Barnes.
“Who asked you Barnes?”
“Radio memorized damn near every TM and did the squads’ MCIs,” said Barnes.
It was true. Radio couldn’t patrol well, but he understood MCIs. Better yet, he understood how to cheat on MCIs. Radio couldn’t read people worth a shit, but he saw tiny gaps in the bureaucratic system that his squad needed him to exploit.
“You and your leaps of logic, Barnes. Just cause you saw Radio make a G playing blackjack, doesn’t mean we found an HVT.”
Barnes took pity on Radio. On pre-deployment leave, Barnes took Radio home to Mount Pleasant, Michigan. One afternoon, the duo went to a casino. Barnes was skeptical. Radio put $50 on the table. One hour later, Radio cashed out with $1600 as pit bosses began swarming.
“It is all logic and numbers,” said Radio.
On the drive back to J Vegas, they stopped at every casino along the way. Radio continued to duplicate his performance from earlier.
“Just BAT ‘em.”
“‘Just BAT ‘em’? Do you know where the fuck we are Barnes?”
“Standby for grid: November Romeo 9174 8637,” Radio bellowed, referencing his Garmin.
Radio and his watch are a match made in heaven, Madman thought.
Find a woman who loves you like Radio loved his watch and your life will be complete.
Madman preferred his compass and map, but the watch helped the platoon numerous times including Taylor’s CASEVAC.
BATing someone meant scanning their eyes into the Biometrics Automated Toolset System (BATS).
The BATS promised to map the human terrain. The partner force was supposed to tell the good guy from the bad guy. But the ANA soldiers were from Kabul and couldn’t care less about Helmand’s tribes. Technology took the place of the partner force.
The system had its own cool logic—the face, fingerprint, and iris were the only things that mattered. Where he was from or what he did didn't matter. What mattered was a match to a database. If a thumbprint on an IED matched an Afghan, they would get bracelets, a hood, and a helicopter ride to God knows where. The battalion held the system in reverence. After all, it was the only thing in Helmand that was logical.
“This is not splitting aces or hitting on 15, Barnes. This a detainee.”
“Let’s get him to the Batman.”
“That sick fuck.”
“You get the contractors you deserve, not the contractors you want.”
Julian, known as the Batman, was the Field Service Representative for the BATS program, but his notoriety stemmed from his massive external hard drive complete with an encyclopedic library of porn. Not just softcore, but hardcore, dark, depraved videos that catered to deployed, desensitized minds. Eager to share with Marines, Julian’s collection became a Helmand legend.
Julian was a member of a subset of contractors initially lured by pay and repulsed by normalcy. He rejected American society, running to the warm embrace of the deployment environment, first in Anbar, and now Helmand. These men were not war profiteers so much as wards of the state. Gainfully employed in a niche job only they could perform and with the risk aversion needed for perpetual deployments. In civil society, these men would be menaces. In the deployment environment, they were instruments. Isolated from civil society, their minds became distorted. Consumption became its own end, seeking new highs to dull the boredom of deployments, the pain of isolation, and the lack of intimacy. They seemed to grow old but never grew up. Peter Pan in cargo pants.
“So we walk another six miles just to hear that pervert say we got the wrong fucking guy?” asked Madman.
“It is steak night as well,” said Barnes.
“Fine - Fuck it.”
The company Command Post got steaks on Fridays. For the squad, calories were a currency. Patrolling, stress, and heat whittled down the squad to nibs. At night, the symphony of coughing would commence, punctuated by night terrors. Since Taylor’s death, Madman hardly slept. The squad of Marines, a Corpsman, a detainee, a linguist, and four ANA soldiers went north to the Company CP. Moving at a slow pace as camelbacks ran dry and tempers flared.
As the patrol arrived, Madman asked the gate guard where the Batman stayed.
“You guys run out of porn?”
“Where the fuck is he, dipshit?”
“Go 200 meters and then turn right.”
“Fuck you very much.”
As Madman, Radio, Barnes, the linguist, and the detainee went to the Bat Cave, the rest of the platoon found water and shade, waiting for their steak dinner.
Madman entered the Batcave with his crew.
“NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA, Pervert.”
“What do you want, Madman?”
“BAT ‘em,” as Madman pointed to the detainee.
“My boy here says he is Noble Gas Baseball Team or whatever the fuck.”
“Lithium Marlin – IED marker. Get this shit – turns out Lithium Marlin’s thumbprint was on the IED that killed Tayler. Hey Barnes, you got your external hard drive?”
“You know it,” shot back Barnes.
Madman glared back. Radio and the detainee kept their vacant look.
“What? Something was left of the IED?”
“Enough for a print.”
“You have a printout of his face?”
“I don’t have a printer.”
“Probably for the best. Just BAT ‘em.”
“Let me get the gear.”
Inside the air-conditioned tent, Barnes, Madman, and Radio got some relief from the sun and heat.
The Batman returned. The detainee looked into the machine and placed his fingers on the scanner. He then pressed his face against the machine for the retina scan.
“How long does this take?” asked Madman.
“Takes as long as it takes,” shot back Batman.
The linguist asked when the detainee was getting released.
“It will happen when it happens.”
Madman’s mind drifted - we should not be here. Radio shouldn’t fucking be here. His recruiter needed to make quota and now he is in a war zone. Taylor should not have been here. He should be banging co-eds at UCLA, but now he goes home in fucking a garbage bag. Now my day is at the mercy of a deviant that is going to tell me I just wasted three fucking hours, but hey, my men get steak and smut.
Everybody fucking wins.
Batman emerged, looked at the detainee, and said get him outside.
Radio and Barnes forced the detainee outside.
“Madman – JACKPOT.”
“Don’t fuck with me, Batman.”
“I ran it three times. Match on prints, face, and iris.”
“Run it again.”
“No – it’s him. Radio was right.”
The World Today
In depth analysis and journalism to educate the warfighter on the most important issues around the world today.
Democracy at a Crossroads: Reflections on the 2024 Election Year
Jonas Frey
As we navigate the complex political landscape of 2024, it's becoming increasingly clear that democracy is facing significant challenges across the globe. The upcoming elections in various countries serve as a crucial litmus test for the health of our democratic systems. With polarization on the rise and the very foundations of our political institutions being questioned, it's time to take a step back and analyze where we stand and where we might be heading. The Delicate Balance of Democracy A well-functioning democracy requires a delicate balance. Political parties must maintain their unique characteristics and ideologies while still being capable of reaching consensus on fundamental issues. This balance ensures that elections offer meaningful choices to voters without threatening the stability of the state itself. However, recent trends suggest that in many countries, this equilibrium is tipping dangerously towards extremes. When Too Little is at Stake In some cases, we've seen periods where major parties appear almost indistinguishable from one another. This phenomenon often manifests in the form of grand coalitions or centrist policies that seem to blend. While this can provide stability in the short term, it often leads to voter disengagement and apathy. When citizens feel that their vote doesn't make a significant difference, it erodes the very foundation of democratic participation. For instance, in Germany, the "grand coalition" between the CDU/CSU (Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands / Christlich-Soziale Union in Bayern - Christian Democratic Union of Germany - Christian Social Union in Bavaria; Center-right) and SPD (Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands - Social Democratic Party of Germany; Centre-left) that dominated much of the past decade left many voters feeling that there was little real choice in elections. This sentiment contributed to the rise of more extreme parties on both ends of the political spectrum. When Too Much is at Stake On the other hand, we're now witnessing a shift towards the opposite extreme in many countries. Elections are increasingly being framed not as a choice between different policy approaches but as existential battles for the very nature of the state and society. When fundamental systems and values are questioned in every election cycle, it creates an atmosphere of constant crisis and instability. This trend is particularly evident in the United States, where the upcoming presidential election seems to be less about specific policies and more about dramatically different visions for the country's future. The rhetoric has become so polarized that it's difficult to imagine how the country can come together after the election, regardless of the outcome. Global Trends: A Shift Towards Polarization The trend toward polarization isn't limited to any one country. Recent elections and political shifts in various nations reveal a growing divide in political landscapes worldwide. Germany: A Microcosm of Larger Trends The recent state elections in Thuringia and Saxony, while not representative of Germany as a whole, provide a stark illustration of the challenges facing established democracies. The rise of parties on the far right and far left has put pressure on the traditional center parties. This has led to difficult coalition negotiations and, in some cases, the inclusion of more extreme parties in government. At the federal level, the current coalition led by Chancellor Scholz is struggling to maintain unity and effectiveness. The appearance of indecisiveness, particularly in foreign policy matters like support for Ukraine, undermines Germany's position on the international stage. Austria: A Rightward Shift As Austria prepares for its upcoming parliamentary elections, polls suggest a significant shift to the right. This raises questions about the country's future direction, particularly in areas such as immigration policy and European integration. The potential for political U-turns on key issues adds to the sense of instability. France and the UK: Polarization and Paralysis Both France and the United Kingdom have experienced significant political upheavals in recent years. In France, the traditional left-right divide has been disrupted not only by the rise of Emmanuel Macron's centrist movement but also by the strengthening of both far-right and far-left parties. The UK, still grappling with the aftermath of Brexit, has seen increased polarization and a weakening of the political center. United States: The Ultimate Test Perhaps the most dramatic example of political polarization can be found in the United States. The upcoming presidential election seems to have moved beyond policy debates to become a referendum on the nature of American democracy itself. The level of partisan animosity has reached such heights that constructive dialogue across party lines has become increasingly rare. The Weakening of the Political Centre One common thread running through these diverse situations is the weakening of centrist, liberal parties. In Germany, the FDP (Freie Demokratische Partei - Free Democratic Party; Center-right) struggles to maintain relevance. In Austria, the NEOS (Das Neue Österreich und Liberales Forum - The New Austria and Liberal Forum; Center) remain a minor player. Similar patterns can be observed in France, the UK, and the US. This erosion of the political center has several consequences: Difficulty in Forming Majorities: Without strong centrist parties, forming stable governing coalitions becomes more challenging. Increased Influence of Fringe Parties: As mainstream parties lose ground, more extreme parties gain disproportionate influence, often becoming kingmakers in coalition negotiations. "Unholy Alliances": To prevent the rise of extreme parties, mainstream parties sometimes form coalitions that would have been unthinkable in the past, further blurring ideological lines. Loss of Moderation: The lack of a strong liberal center means there are fewer voices advocating for pragmatic, consensus-based solutions. The Need for Pragmatic Realpolitik To address these challenges and restore health to our democratic systems, we need a return to pragmatic realpolitik. This involves several key elements: Consensus-Building: Politicians must relearn the art of compromise and finding common ground across party lines. Bridging the Gap: We need leaders who can effectively bridge the gap between governance and citizen perspectives, understanding and addressing the real concerns of voters. Citizen-Politicians: There's a need for more politicians with diverse life experiences, as opposed to career politicians who may be disconnected from the real-world impacts of their decisions. Respect for Democratic Norms: All political actors must recommit to respecting the fundamental norms and institutions of democracy, even when it doesn't serve their short-term interests. Looking Forward As we approach the various elections of 2024, it's crucial to remember the foundations of our democratic heritage. Democracy is not just about winning elections; it's about creating a system where different viewpoints can coexist and where compromise is seen as a strength, not a weakness. We must strive for moderation and the acceptance of majority decisions while maintaining a liberal basic attitude. This doesn't mean abandoning deeply held beliefs but rather recognizing that in a diverse society, no one group can or should expect to get everything they want all the time. The health of our democracies depends on our ability to find common ground and work towards pragmatic solutions that serve all citizens, not just narrow political interests. As voters, we have a responsibility to reward politicians and parties that demonstrate this ability to balance principle with pragmatism. The elections of 2024 will be a critical juncture for many democracies around the world. By recommitting to the core principles of democratic governance – dialogue, compromise, and respect for institutions – we can hope to navigate these turbulent times and emerge with our democratic systems not just intact but strengthened. A Call for Responsible Leadership As we reflect on the challenges facing our democracies, it's worth considering historical examples of political accountability and civic duty. In ancient Rome, during the Second Punic War, many senators personally bore the consequences of their policies, with dozens perishing at the Battle of Cannae. Fast forward to the 1970s United States, where over three-quarters of Congress members were veterans, bringing firsthand experience of national service to their roles. Today, we find ourselves in a different landscape. Career politicians, often far removed from the everyday realities of their constituents, have become the norm. This disconnect can lead to a distorted perception of the impact of policies on citizens' lives. As we navigate the complexities of modern governance, we must strive to bridge this gap. What our democracies need now, more than ever, is a return to pragmatic realpolitik - a politics grounded in practical realities rather than ideological abstractions. We need leaders who can build consensus across party lines who understand and prioritize the perspectives of citizens over the interests of political functionaries. Only by reconnecting our political class with the lived experiences of those they serve can we hope to reinvigorate our democratic institutions and face the challenges of 2024 and beyond. As voters, we have the power and the responsibility to demand this change. Let us use our voices and our votes to shape a political landscape that truly reflects the principles of democratic representation and accountability. Inspired by articles from Dirk Kurbjuweit (Spiegel) and Thomas von Grünigen (SRF), published in September 2024.
Poetry and Art
Poetry and art from the warfighting community.
If I Only Had…
Evan Young Weaver
We’re not in Kansas anymore, I quipped,
to the other four of a five dude team.
It was factual, we had started some days prior,
in central Kansas, lost time at godforsaken BWI,
and I have always hated pilot’s smug mustaches since but,
I saw my family there.
Kansas-Missouri-Maryland-Germany-Kazakhstan-Afghanistan
If the Beach Boys made a shrill, bad song about GWOT,
it would go something like that.
Certainly not in Kansas anymore.
I thought way too much
about Wizard of Oz characters for a few days.
But Kansas was as foreign to me as anywhere and,
frankly, the mountains and streams seemed as familiar
as anything from New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont.
I guess I questioned, more than quipped, wondered,
about how much of this place and my time there might,
someday, make me quip, well,
I’m not in Afghanistan, anymore.
Javier Lara
I come from a family of artists: painters, photographers, musicians, and writers. My grandfather is the only one with a military background; he deployed several times as an infantry officer in the Filipino Army. Now, he enjoys making all sorts of gizmos from recycled materials for friends and family. I'm fortunate to work with solid people and indulge in my hobbies. The soldiers I work with have gotten used to my little camera that I bring out to the field (or my phone). I'm not a PAO. I make slidedecks and hound the platoons for maintenance updates. Most of the time, I'm too busy doing my job to get many action shots, but I kind of prefer catching the downtime. It matters to show the people behind the gun, the radio, the steering wheel. I tend to hop on the soap box and remind the guys, "We're all replaceable." We'll all leave the unit and leave the Army. What matters is how we train the next man up so we can leave, and things keep chugging along. I like to think my random pictures will remind folks that, while they are ultimately replaceable, they were a part of this organization and had their part to play. vertebral K. Margolin
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This ends Volume 27, Edition 1, of the Lethal Minds Journal (01 October 2024)
The window is now open for Lethal Minds’ twenty-fourth volume, releasing November 01, 2024.
All art and picture submissions are due as PDFs or JPEG files to our email by midnight on 20 October 2024.
All written submissions are due in 12-point font, double-spaced, Word documents to our email by midnight on 20 October 2024.
lethalmindsjournal.submissions@gmail.com
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