Professional Military Education

The Professional Military Education (PME) podcast is where great books on war and history are analyzed and discussed with the author. Through in depth conversations, the PME podcast seeks to promote great books that will interest serious military thinkers. For people that might be interested in military topics and history, the PME podcast will get you hooked on this awesome field of study. Through in depth reading and serious scholarship, the PME podcast is proud to bring a great history show to life.

Visiting the D-Day Beaches and Normandy Battlefields 02/02/2024

American Guerillas Part Three: The Old Wagoner’s Revenge 08/11/2023

American Guerillas Part Three: The Old Wagoner’s Revenge In the year 1780, South Carolina was in the grip of violence and turmoil. On December 3, 1780, General Nathanael Greene assumed command of the southern department from General Horatio Gates. Gates, the hero of Saratoga, had struggled in the Carolinas most notably at the disastrous battle of Camden. The Continental Congress relented to General Washington’s preferred commander: Nathanael Greene. Thus, Greene left his post at West Point and traveled south. General Greene had a series of challenging decisions in front of him. How was he going to rebuild a nearly destroyed army? How was he going to recruit and train his forces to eventually challenge General Cornwallis? The task ahead of him was daunting. In the face of overwhelming odds, he made a militarily unorthodox decision: He split his army in half. In command of the other half of his army was General Daniel Morgan, a brawler from the Virginia backcountry. Morgan was a veteran of the French and Indian War. He was captured and held as a POW after the failed invasion of Quebec. He later distinguished himself as one of the heroes of the Saratoga campaign. In January 1781, Morgan was also faced with improbable odds. As he commanded General Greene’s “flying army”, Cornwallis sent Lt. Col. “Bloody Ban” Tarleton to pursue Morgan. On January 17, 1781, General Morgan made a stand in a local cow pasture in northwest South Carolina. We know this location as Cowpens. It was here that Morgan achieved one of the most tactically brilliant victories in American military history. We know Morgan as the “Old Wagoner”, but he could just as easily be called the American Hannibal. Check out part three of the series and learn more about what happened at the Battle of Cowpens! HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the show, subscribe in Apple podcasts, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. Visit the . E-mail: Check out our Tours: provides guided tours of Old Town Alexandria with a focus on George Washington, the Revolutionary, and the Civil War. Use promo code “PMECOMPLETE” for a 10% discount. Further Reading: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/27717117

Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Marine Corps with General Bohm (Maj. Gen., USMC) 07/17/2023

Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Marine Corps with General Bohm (Maj. Gen., USMC) General Jason Q. Bohm (Maj. Gen., USMC) is the author of a recently published book entitled Washington’s Marines: The Origins of the Corps and the American Revolution, 1775-1777. In this interview, we discuss why and how the Marine Corps was founded on November 10, 1775. General Bohm explains that General Washington did not initially support the Marines. However, the Marines played a pivotal role during the “Ten Crucial Days.” This was the period from December 25, 1776, through January 3, 1777. It included key battles at Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. The Marines’ heroic actions and fighting spirit helped General Washington during one of the lowest points of the Revolutionary War. Furthermore, it firmly established the Marines’ reputation as America’s premiere fighting force. In this interview, we discuss the following: The Marines were supposed to be used for a naval campaign against the British in Halifax, Nova Scotia. General Bohm tells us why it never happened. Samuel Nicholas. We know him as our first commandant. Was he really commandant though? Who was this Philadelphia Quaker? Recruiting and retention. Who were the young men that came to Tun Tavern? And why Tun Tavern? The first Marine Corps deployment was to the Bahamas. Sounds like a nice deployment! But did the Marines know anything about amphibious operations in March 1776? The New York campaign and the events that led to the Continental Armies’ low point in December 1776. The “Ten Crucial Days” included the Battles of Trenton, Assunpink Creek, and Princeton. The Marines played a critical role in helping Washington’s army snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Implications for the current Marine Corps. What lessons can we learn from our Marine forefathers? Washington's Marines can be purchased through or About the Author: General Jason Q. Bohm (Mag. Gen., USMC) is a Marine Corps infantryman with over 30 years of experience. General Bohm has served at every level from platoon commander to commanding general. His past assignments include strategic planner with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Director of the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfighting School (EWS). He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing as well as master’s degrees in military studies and in national security studies. General Bohm has written award-winning articles for the Marine Corps Gazette. He is also the author of From the Cold War to ISIL: One Marine’s Journey (Naval Institute Press, 2019). General Bohm’s first book is available on . Check out the website: Revolutionary War and George Washington Tours in Alexandria, VA: use promo code "pmecomplete" to get a 10% discount. If you like the podcast, please rate and review on iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Don't forget to subscribe and be on the lookout for Part Three of the American Guerillas series. /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/27480294

American Guerillas (Part II): The Sword of the Lord and Gideon 05/18/2023

American Guerillas (Part I): War in the Carolinas 05/18/2023

When China Attacks: A Warning to America 04/18/2023

When China Attacks: A Warning to America Col. Grant Newsham (USMC-Ret.), has a warning for America: China is at war with us. It is time for Americans to understand that China does not believe war starts with the deployment of missiles, tanks, and infantry. From the perspective of the People's Republic of China (PRC), war has already begun. Furthermore, over the last several decades, China has used influence operations, economic policies, political warfare, and lawfare to cripple America. The results have left American communities jobless with rampant drug use, deaths of despair, and social disfunction. As one example, fentanyl related drug overdoses caused 70,000 American deaths in 2021. This number is higher than the number of Americans killed during the Vietnam War. The chemical components of fentanyl are manufactured in China. After decades of economic growth and political warfare, China has undergone one of the most significant military build-ups during a period of "peace." What are their next moves? As China has trained, mobilized, and built up its army and navy, the obvious question is for what purpose? In this interview, we discuss these questions and much more. Interview topics include: China’s current military capabilities: Key strengths and weaknesses China has a mission: To defeat the United States and they believe that war is already taking place. Does China believe they can successfully invade Taiwan? If China does attack Taiwan, what would the attack look like? How would the United States respond? Is nuclear war possible? What is military-civilian fusion? How does China think of Comprehensive National Power (CNP) How have American elites both in business and politics helped to facilitate China's rise to power. On the American business class and Wall Street, Grant says, "You can't expect to win if you're funding your enemies." Check out the book: Biography: Grant Newsham is a Senior Fellow with the . He is also a Research Fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies focusing on Asia-Pacific defense, political, and economic matters. Grant is a retired U.S. Marine Colonel and was the first U.S. Marine Liaison Officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He also served as reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, and was the U.S. Marine Attaché, US Embassy Tokyo on two occasions. Check out Grant's work at the . Find Grant on Twitter: HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/26570241

A Brutal Winter: George Washington’s Leadership at Valley Forge 02/22/2023

A Brutal Winter: George Washington’s Leadership at Valley Forge On December 19, 1777, George Washington led the Continental Army onto a high plateau twenty miles northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After fighting the British at the Battles of Brandywine and Germantown, Washington entered camp with a little over 12,000 soldiers. By mid-February, that number had dropped in half. Disease ravaged camp. Soldiers starved. Many of them were down to their last shirt. Some walked into camp barefoot. As if the problems couldn’t get worse, most soldiers didn’t know if or when they would get paid for their service. Despite the many difficulties, General Washington was determined to pull the army through the winter. He faced multiple threats to his command both from within the army and from Congress. Although Valley Forge did not involve any large battle, the army faced one of its toughest challenges of the Revolutionary War. If it could survive and hold together, then the American fight for independence would continue. Through a combination of leadership and determination, Washington and his army were able to persevere. By the summer of 1778, the soldiers that survived the winter emerged hardened and ready for a fight. In this podcast episode, we will study what happened at Valley Forge with a focus on Washington’s leadership and the many decisions that he had to make. We will begin the episode by imagining what order Washington might have given prior to occupying camp. Then we will focus on the following topics: How did Washington prevent a mutiny? What was the Conway Cabal and how did Washington overcome it? Who was the odd Prussian Captain that arrived at Valley Forge in February? How did the experience at Valley Forge shape Washington’s political mindset? What personnel decisions did Washington make? How was morale maintained? What caused death and desertion? Check out the website: to see maps and pictures. The website will also have a list of sources and additional information to study what happened at Valley Forge. HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the show and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. Check out the show on and To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/26000859

The Heroes of Wake Island: Remembering the Americans that fought 16 days against impossible odds 12/23/2022

The Heroes of Wake Island: Remembering the Americans that fought 16 days against impossible odds Wake Island was the site of a famous battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II. By December 7, 1941, it was a small (but growing) naval air station (NAS). The construction and development of the island began in January 1941. As Pacific Fleet Commander, Admiral Kimmel, recognized the vulnerability of the island, Marines were brought in to defend it in August 1941. On December 8, 1941, the Japanese attacked Wake Island with a series of aerial bombardments. On December 11, the Japanese attempted their first invasion of the island. But they were soundly defeated. The Marine defenders bloodied a much larger Japanese task force. Additionally, the fighting men of Wake won the first tactical victory of the Pacific and gave America hope that it could fight back and win. This was a much-needed morale boost only a few days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It would take the Japanese task force another 12 days with two aircraft carriers and 1,000 more landing forces to overwhelm the Marines defending the island and finally take it. In this solo podcast, I cover the battle from the point of view of the Marine Corps Commanding Officer, Major James P.S. Devereux. I also integrate the writing of Private First Class (PFC) John R. Himelrick. This is the story of how Marines, sailors, soldiers, and even civilians were able to defend the island for 16 days against nearly impossible odds. Without reinforcements, it was only a matter of time before the island fell. The primary defenders of the island were Marines from First Defense Battalion and VMF 211. This episode explores how the Marines fought and what lessons can still be learned today. With a strong focus on Major Devereux’s decision making, this episode tries to challenge the listener to think about “What would you do?” “How would you react amidst the ‘fog of war’”? Wake Island’s American defenders did surrender on December 23, 1941. But the deck was stacked against them from day one. There are a lot of “what ifs” that surround its defenses? I cover these counterfactuals in the episode. Furthermore, this battle is good considering what the Marine Corps is hoping to accomplish with Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO). Wake Island was meant to be an EABO. Therefore, it can provide relevant lessons for today’s operating environment. Check out the website to see maps, which are helpful to view while listening to the podcast. Primary Sources: Major Devereux’s Book: PFC Himelrick’s diary entries. Available through the upon request. by Lt. Col. R.D. Heinl, Jr. published in 1947 “The Battle of Wake Island” by Gregory J.W. Urwin HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. Check out the website: Check out the show on and To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/25409085

Is the U.S. military weak? Breaking down the 2023 Index of U.S. Military Strength 12/14/2022

Is the U.S. military weak? Breaking down the 2023 Index of U.S. Military Strength Is the United States Military weak? The Heritage Foundation has fired a shot across the bow with its “2023 Index of U.S. Military Strength.” The Index concludes that the U.S. military in its current posture is “weak.” The Pentagon might not like the report. But, my guest, Dakota Wood, is calling things as they are rather than the way people would like them to be. “Nobody likes their baby being called ugly. But the facts are what they are.” -Dakota Wood The 2023 Index starts with an assessment of the operating environment from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. Dakota explains that the Index is looking at American military power within a two major-regional conflict (MRC) framework. The Index analyses enemy threats through the lens of “intent and capability.” The focus is on Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, and terrorist groups like ISIS. The Index then shifts to a detailed overview of each U.S. military branch in terms of capacity, capability, and readiness. After grading each branch individually, the Index comes up with an aggregate grade of “weak.” This is not an indictment on any individual service member or unit. Dakota explains that this is a combination of years of underfunding, misuse of resources, and a “profound lack of seriousness.” Topics of discussion: The purpose behind the Index and its target audience How two major-regional conflicts (MRCs) was developed as the framework for the Index Why the Index assesses the overall operating environment as “favorable” We dive into two specific “competitors”: Russia and China Breaking down U.S. service branches: The Army is “marginal”; the U.S. Navy is “weak”; the Air Force is “very weak”; the Marine Corps is “strong”; the Space Force is “weak”; and nuclear capabilities are “strong” but trending toward “marginal” Find the “2023 Index of U.S. Military Strength” at Connect with Dakota on and follow him at About the guest: Dakota Wood is a Senior Research Fellow, Defense Programs, Center for National Defense at . He served America for two decades in the U.S. Marine Corps. His research and writing focuses on programs, capabilities, operational concepts, and strategies of the U.S. Department of Defense and military services to assess their utility in ensuring the United States has the ability to protect and promote its critical national security interests. Mr. Wood originated and currently serves as the editor for Heritage’s “Index of U.S. Military Strength.” HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. Check out the website: Check out the show on and To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/25312767

Epic Comeback in the Pacific! The events that led to Pearl Harbor and How the U.S. Navy won the Battle of Midway 12/04/2022

Epic Comeback in the Pacific! The events that led to Pearl Harbor and How the U.S. Navy won the Battle of Midway How did the U.S. recover from the devastation of Pearl Harbor and win one of the most epic battles in naval history? Was war in the Pacific inevitable or were there diplomatic off ramps? Why did Japan attack America on December 7, 1941? Did America really know in advance that an attack was coming? My guest Dale Jenkins helps answer these questions in his book, Diplomats and Admirals. We speak at length about these topics in our interview. I thought our deep dive into the Battle of Midway was especially fun. Additional topics include: Diplomatic breakdowns that led to war between the U.S. and Japan How the Japanese were able to carry out the Pearl Harbor attack with “total surprise” U.S. intelligence that broke Japanese codes and learned about the Japanese plans at Midway How the U.S. won the Battle of Midway and nearly lost it all U.S. heroism at the Battle of Midway Lessons on leadership to include Admiral Nimitz’s battle plan The principles of carrier tactics and how carrier battles were fought and won Dale Jenkins spent five years reading and researching. This book is a culmination of his efforts. I am glad to release this interview as we mark the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and remember the day that will live in infamy on December 7, 1941. Listen to the interview and then check out Dale’s book and his . About the Author: Dale Jenkins is a former US Navy officer who served on a destroyer in the Pacific and for a time was home-ported in Yokosuka, Japan. Pacific Fleet commitments took him to the Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Singapore. While on active duty, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal. His business career was primarily in international banking, and he was also a staff director at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. Dale currently serves on the Samuel Eliot Morison Committee of the Naval Order of the United Sates, New York, and as a Regional Director of the Naval War College Foundation. As a result of his active-duty experience and new revelations, Dale provides insight into the diplomacy and strategies of the Pacific region. He has degrees in history and business from Harvard and Columbia. HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. Check out the website: To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/25213866

The Japanese Military and the Indo-Pacific region 11/01/2022

The Japanese Military and the Indo-Pacific region In this interview, Grant Newsham discusses the state of the Japanese military as well as current events in the Indo-Pacific theater. Grant has first-hand experience helping develop the Japan Self-Defense Force’s (JSDF) amphibious capabilities. In this interview, we cover the following: An overview of the JSDF and why it has been underfunded and underappreciated for years. Why the Japanese needed to improve their amphibious capabilities and improve their joint operations. Shifting attitudes in Japan toward the military How Grant and other American liaison officers worked to improve the JSDF Differences in American and Japanese approaches to training with a specific focus on Exercises Dawn Blitz and Iron Fist from 2013 The current state of the JSDF and ability to work with U.S. armed forces nearly a decade later We also talk current events including: Analysis of China’s 20th Communist Party Congress How China’s zero COVID policy is designed to condition the population for hardship and to eliminate resistance to Xi Jinping North Korea’s continued belligerence South Korea’s political situation Australia and U.S. relations and ability to deter China Biography: Grant Newsham is a Senior Fellow with the . He is also a Research Fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies focusing on Asia-Pacific defense, political, and economic matters. Grant is a retired U.S. Marine Colonel and was the first U.S. Marine Liaison Officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. He also served as reserve head of intelligence for Marine Forces Pacific, and was the U.S. Marine Attaché, US Embassy Tokyo on two occasions. In March 2023, Grant is planning to publish a book called When China Attacks. Check out Grant's work at the . Find Grant on Twitter: HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/24860202

The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy with Ian Easton 10/20/2022

The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy with Ian Easton On this episode of the PME podcast, I welcome back Ian Easton. Ian recently published a book called The Final Struggle: Inside China’s Global Strategy. Topics of discussion include: The prospect of China invading Taiwan and an update from Ian’s first book, The Chinese Invasion Threat Is Xi Jinping on drugs? Hard to tell. But Ian does mention that his dad and sister were purged. He also spent seven years living in a cave. We discuss “Xi Jinping Thought” which is Marxism infused with Xi Jinping’s worldview and his political philosophy. How China and Xi Jinping use euphemisms to promote dark ideas. For example, the idea of constructing “A Community of Common Destiny for all Mankind.” U.S. policies toward China and how previous administrations have and have not recognized threats from the PRC How TikTok poses a direct threat to U.S. national security China’s social credit system which uses big data analytics and mass surveillance How China uses predatory economic policies to its benefit while hurting the U.S. Biography: Ian Easton is a Senior Director at the Project 2049 Institute, where he studies defense and security issues involving the People's Republic of China. Previously, he was a visiting fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs, a China analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, and a researcher for the Asia Bureau of Defense News. Ian holds an M.A. in China Studies from National Chengchi University in Taiwan and a B.A. in International Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He studied Mandarin at Fudan University in Shanghai and National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei. Buy the book: Ian’s first book: Follow him on Twitter and at the HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. I recently started a Patreon page: Please consider showing your support for the show by becoming a patron. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/24745659

Troubled Waters: The Crisis of the US Surface Navy 09/29/2022

Troubled Waters: The Crisis of the US Surface Navy Former Navy officer, Thibaut Delloue, has seen firsthand the problems that have plagued the US surface Navy for years. His book, The Wardroom, begins as a memoir. However, it turns into a straightforward assessment of issues that have led to several high-profile accidents, which included the collisions of the USS John S. McCain and USS Fitzgerald. Both warships crashed in 2017 and resulted in the deaths of 17 sailors. We discuss Thibaut’s experience as a surface warfare officer (SWO) to include his training and lack thereof. Thibaut served on the destroyer USS Carney. His experience included tracking Russian submarines and battling ISIS in Libya. Topics of discussion also include: An overview of the surface Navy and the areas of operations known as “fleets” How a Navy officer becomes a SWO Why the current training and readiness pipeline is insufficient The inability of the surface Navy to be ready for future wars unless changes are made The leadership and command climate within the surface Navy that prioritizes bureaucracy over real leadership The recent spate of high-profile accidents and the many causes that led to them The difference between the US surface Navy and other Navies including the Chinese Navy Thibaut has written about the military for publications like Task & Purpose, the US Naval Institute, War on the Rocks, and The War Horse. He now works in education in Nashville, Tennessee. Check out his website to see more of his writings and background: His book can be found on . HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. I recently started a Patreon page: Please consider showing your support for the show by becoming a patron. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/24515205

Political Warfare: China’s Strategy to Win without Fighting 09/07/2022

Political Warfare: China’s Strategy to Win without Fighting In this interview with Professor Kerry Gershaneck, we discuss his book, Political Warfare: Strategies for Combating China’s Plan to ‘Win without Fighting’. The book was published in 2020 by the Marine Corps University (MCU) press. Topics include: The history of “political warfare” and its roots going back to Vladimir Lenin and the Soviet Union United Front Work and its use as a political warfare tool Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ideology and the character of China’s regime China’s overall strategy and tactics to “win without fighting” How America used political warfare during the Cold War and then abandoned it in the 1990s China’s influence in American business, film, education, and media The origins of “One China” policy and how China is applying it to influence geopolitics A brief history of Taiwan after the Chinese civil war America’s changing diplomatic relations with China and Taiwan during the Cold War Current events related to China and Taiwan and the near term prospect for an invasion Check out the book: ABOUT THE AUTHOR Professor Gershaneck is currently a Visiting Scholar (Taiwan Fellow) at the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, College of International Affairs, National Chengchi University, with special focus on the People’s Republic of China and their use of political warfare. For a total of seven years, Professor Gershaneck was the Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Royal Thai Naval Academy and the Distinguished Visiting Professor at Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy, Kingdom of Thailand. Professor Gershaneck has extensive regional security and academic experience in the Asia-Pacific Region. He has consulted for the U.S. government, HQ North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the United Nations Command (UNC) in the Republic of Korea, the American Bar Association, and various Asia-Pacific-based organizations. In academia, he has taught at the university level for more than 25 years, primarily in topics related to National Defense & Regional Security, International Relations, Strategic Communication, Crisis Communication, Leadership Development, and Journalism. A "Mustang" Marine Corps officer, Professor Gershaneck's military experience includes Special Warfare, Counterintelligence, Intelligence, Infantry, Armor, and Strategic Communications and Public Affairs assignments during combat and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. His awards include the Department of Defense Superior Service Medal and the Legion of Merit. HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. I recently started a Patreon page: Please consider showing your support for the show by becoming a patron. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/24290130

The Hardest Place: An Interview with Wesley Morgan 08/14/2022

To Provide and Maintain a Navy: An Interview with Dr. Hendrix 07/31/2022

To Provide and Maintain a Navy: An Interview with Dr. Hendrix This episode of the PME Podcast focuses on the U.S. Navy. My guest is Dr. Henry “Jerry” Hendrix, and he is the author of a book called To Provide and Maintain a Navy. In this interview, we discuss the many challenges that the U.S. Navy faces. Dr. Hendrix thinks that America needs to get serious about the threats from Russia and China in the maritime domain. He argues U.S. defense policy has been too land focused and neglected maritime strategy. Additional topics include the following: The link between the concept of the “free sea”, natural law, and individual liberty Current laws of the sea to include the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) How America’s strategic outlook has shifted from being Naval focused to “continental” focused The evolution of both China and Russia’s ambitions from territorial to maritime The development of China’s Navy and their goal to become a “blue water” Navy The decline of the U.S. Navy in the post-Cold War era U.S. shipbuilding infrastructure relative to China’s shipbuilding infrastructure How the U.S. industrial base consolidated in the post-Cold War era and the impact that the shrinking industrial base has had on America’s ability to re-build a Navy Dr. Hendrix sees our Naval policy and America’s overall national security policy as being fundamentally “unserious” The tactical and strategic challenge that the Navy faces specifically as it relates to Anti-Access Aerial Denial (A2AD) weapons Dr. Hendrix book is Dr. Hendrix has a Twitter account and can also be found at the Two of his recent articles can be found at and . HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. I recently started a Patreon page: Please consider showing your support for the show by becoming a patron. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/23902368

Degrade and Destroy: An Interview with Michael Gordon 07/12/2022

Degrade and Destroy: An Interview with Michael Gordon Michael Gordon is the author of Degrade and Destroy: The Inside Story of the War Against the Islamic State. He is currently a National Security Correspondent with The Wall Street Journal. He has covered wars and conflicts for over 35 years with The Wall Street Journal and previously with The New York Times. In this interview, we discus the last decade of conflict against the Islamic State in which the United States applied a “by, with and through” strategy. This strategy supported Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian Democratic Forces with U.S. advisors in the field as well as multiple intelligence and air assets. Topics covered include the following: The conditions that allowed ISIS to capture territory in Iraq and Syria The capture of Mosul followed by the U.S. developing a strategy to respond The “By, With and Through” strategy that the U.S. employed based on a Special Forces concept to back local forces in the field of combat Where the term “Degrade and Destroy” came from and the strategic implications of how it shaped into “Operation Inherent Resolve” Michael discusses his frontline view of the conflict while embedded with Iraq’s Counterterrorism Service (CTS) and Kurdish Peshmerga forces The early struggle to take back Mosul and how it led to Lieutenant General Townsend’s “Tactical Directive One” The difference between the Battle of Mosul and the Battle of Raqqa How the U.S. and Russia faced off in Syria The current state of “Operation Inherent Resolve” and the current disposition of the Islamic State Lessons learned from “Operation Inherent Resolve” Michael Gordon Bibliography: Article: “” Follow and contact Michael Gordon: Twitter: LinkedIn: E-mail: and HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like the interview and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, or Audible. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/23720144

Steel Rain: How A Marine Artillery Battery Beat ISIS 11/02/2021

Twenty Years of War in Afghanistan: An After Action 09/20/2021

Clausewitz’s Theory of the Combat 07/09/2021

On Combat Marksmanship: An Interview with Master Sergeant Joel Reilly 04/25/2021

Interview with Dr. Victor Davis Hanson 03/28/2021

Treasury’s War: An Interview with Juan Zarate 03/07/2021

Stealth War: An Interview with General Robert Spalding 02/07/2021

The Chinese Invasion Threat: An Interview with Ian Easton 01/17/2021

The Chinese Invasion Threat: An Interview with Ian Easton What are the chances that China invades Taiwan? Do they plan on invading soon? If so, how would they do it? My guest is Ian Easton, the author of The Chinese Invasion Threat. In the interview, we talk at length about the possibility of a Chinese invasion. Ian is well-versed in the issue having spent many years living and studying in Taiwan. He possesses a wealth of knowledge. In his book, he dives deep into the details of what an invasion would look like. Among the many topics we cover are the following: The nature of Taiwan’s democratic government and advanced economy The Chinese Civil War between the Communists and Nationalists that caused the current day split How America’s diplomatic relations toward Taiwan evolved throughout the Cold War How equipped and ready is Taiwan to defend itself from an invasion The many domains in which China is seeking to lay the groundwork for an invasion Why an invasion is extremely difficult, and lessons learned from World War II How China under Xi Jinping was able to become militarily more dominant than Taiwan This is an important topic which Ian describes as one of the most consequential foreign policy issues facing the United States. It is a must read for military and defense members wanting to get more familiar with the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific theater. Check out Ian’s book- <a target="_blank" href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1788691768/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1788691768&linkCode=as2&tag=pm05c-20&linkId=196f8b99d1e8214c91410bab9668f406">The Chinese Invasion Threat: Taiwan's Defense and American Strategy in Asia</a><img src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=pm05c-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1788691768" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> Follow Ian Easton’s work at The Project 2049 Institute. Click for the website HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes, Spotify, Audible, or Amazon podcasts. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/17575244

On Fieldcraft: An Interview with Marine Staff Sergeant Chad Skaggs 10/25/2020

On Fieldcraft: An Interview with Marine Staff Sergeant Chad Skaggs “Marine, get packed. You’re going to the field,” the Gunny says. The Marine shudders. The last time he went to the field his gear got wet and he spent days soaked and cold. When the rain stopped, the wind picked up, and he spent the night shivering so hard that he thought his teeth would fall out. On the final movement back to civilization, his pack dug into his shoulders and caused him to fall behind and the Company Gunnery Sergeant screamed at him to keep up or else... Back in the barracks, his feet remained blistered and he spent the weekend getting over an illness that he developed toward the tail end of the field op. This Devil Dog needs some guidance. Going to the field can be daunting if one does not understand fieldcraft. Many infantry schools spend a lot of time in the field, but fieldcraft does not receive a lot of formal training. My guest, Staff Sergeant Skaggs, has spent years taking the best tips and techniques and compiling them into a useful “how-to” guide. He has consulted with dozens of Marine leaders on best practices. Furthermore, he has years of experience on deployments, in training, and from his own time as a Combat Instructor. We discuss topics such as: Taking care of one’s boots and proper footcare How to properly pack gear and use the issued ruck sack How to survive in the cold and the heat How to use proper hygiene Considerations for units living in the field The role of discipline in fieldcraft SSgt Skaggs’ book has many outstanding principles on fieldcraft. If any Marine, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman, implements a handful of these principles, they will not only survive but thrive in the field. SSgt Skaggs’ work on fieldcraft should help people gain the confidence they need to know that they can live and train in the field. Marines like to say, “Embrace the suck” and “Get comfortable being uncomfortable.” SSgt Skaggs helps us get there. Check out his BOOK. Send him an e-mail (he can be found in the GAL) and he will provide a digital copy. A print copy will be available soon. The intention is for people to be able to take it into the field with them as a hard copy. Other great resources include: Charlies Rangers (Book link below) Marine Rifle Squad (Book link below) Scouting and Patrolling (Book link below) Ranger Handbook (Book link below) Bushcraft 101 (Book link below) HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes and Spotify. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: Looking to talk Maneuver Warfare? I have partnered with to promote thoughtful discussions on maneuver warfare. Check out the and get involved with some great people having important conversations. /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/16536740

Not Yet Openly at War, But Still Mostly at Peace: An Interview with LtCol Scott Cuomo (USMC) 09/29/2019

Not Yet Openly at War, But Still Mostly at Peace: An Interview with LtCol Scott Cuomo (USMC) In this two-part episode, I speak with LtCol Scott Cuomo (USMC). He is the author of an article that appeared in the Marine Corps Gazette called, . He wrote the article with a team of Marines that include: Captain Olivia Garard, Major Jeff Cummings, and LtCol Noah Spataro. The purpose of the article was to re-think what the Marine Corps should be doing in 2019 and beyond. The co-author team suggests that the Marine Corps needs to implement a “new big idea.” The “big idea” looks beyond the Marine Corps’ historical mission of Joint Forcible Entry Operations (JFEO) through traditional amphibious assault. LtCol Cuomo references a report that came out of the Senate Armed Services Committee and an article called “”. This article served as a call to action to the Marine Corps to re-think their role in the modern defense era. We look at the Marine Corps’ mission in the context of the 2017 and 2018 The National Security Strategy states the following: “China and Russia want to shape a world antithetical to U.S. values and interests. China seeks to displace the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, expand the reaches of its state-driven economic model, and reorder the region in its favor.” A bi-partisan, concluded that the National Security Strategy was accurate in assessing the strategic threat. However, there needed to be clear operational concepts developed too. LtCol Cuomo dives into the weeds of the operational environment as we discuss the “Contact layer, the blunt layer, the surge layer, and the homeland defense layer.” LtCol Cuomo thinks that Marines need to be focused on operating in the contact layer. Moreover, the Marine Corps has a unique opportunity to do this right now. Bottom line: This is a defining moment in Marine Corps history. In the second part of the interview, we talk about the Marine Corps Commandants’ Planning Guidance (CPG). The was published in July after General David Berger took over as the 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps. LtCol Cuomo mentions that General Berger was commander of the Marines in Pacific Command prior to becoming Commandant. Thus, the current Commandant has a good outlook on the challenges and problems taking place in the Indo-Pacific region. We talk about several topics in the Commandant’s Planning Guidance to include: Force design, force modernization, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), distributed operations in partnership with the Navy, and other ways that Marines can conduct distributed naval operations. It’s a fascinating interview that covers a lot of relevant topics from strategy to tactics. To connect with the guest, please shoot me an e-mail at the address below. HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes and Spotify. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. To request additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: Looking to talk Maneuver Warfare? I’ve partnered with to promote thoughtful discussions on maneuver warfare. Check out the and get involved with some great people having important conversations. /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/11429804

American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day with Robert Coram 09/08/2019

American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day with Robert Coram Robert Coram is the author of an excellent biography called American Patriot: The Life and Wars of Colonel Bud Day. Colonel Day is a larger than life figure. He is one of the most decorated veterans in American military history. This interview with Mr. Coram spans the course of Colonel Day’s life from his small-town upbringing in Iowa to his service as an Air Force pilot and prisoner of war (POW) in North Vietnam. Colonel Day is best known for his time during the Vietnam War because he was shot down and imprisoned in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. In fact, he was roommates with the late Senator John McCain. The two men served as POWs for five years until their release in the Spring of 1973. As a result of his steadfast commitment to resisting and upholding the Code of Conduct, Colonel Day was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. A recurring theme of Colonel Day’s legacy is honor. Colonel Day constantly repeated the phrase “return with honor” while being tortured by his North Vietnamese captors. This interview examines the core value of honor through the life and legacy of Colonel Bud Day. Robert Coram says that he was personally honored to have spent two and a half years with Colonel Day while writing the biography of his life. In talking to Mr. Coram, it was clear that he was greatly influenced by Colonel Day. I have no doubt that many other people will be influenced by the life and legacy of Colonel Bud Day, a great American Patriot. Check out the book and the other biographies written by Robert Coram: Robert Coram’s website: HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes and Spotify. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. For any requests for additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/11145377

4th Generation Warfare: An Interview with Lt. Col Thiele (USMC-Ret.) 07/28/2019

4th Generation Warfare: An Interview with Lt. Col Thiele (USMC-Ret.) Today’s guest is Lt. Col Thiele (USMC-Ret.). He is the co-author of 4th Generation Warfare Handbook, which he wrote with William (“Bill”) Lind. In the interview, Lt. Col Thiele explains that while he was working as an instructor at the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Warfighting School (EWS), he met Bill Lind, who introduced him to some of the ideas of 4th Generation Warfare. Together they began to collaborate on the 4th Generation Warfare Handbook. Lt. Col Thiele mentions that he was motivated by the question, “What does victory look like?” He had this question after returning from deployment to Iraq where he saw that even though the violence was decreasing, the U.S. still seemed far from victory. In the interview, Lt. Col Thiele focuses on the evolution of warfare through what he describes as three generations. The bulk of the fighting in the previous three generations occurred between state actors. That is nation state fought nation state. However, his theory is that in 4th Generation of Warfare, states will have to fight non-state actors i.e. any group with a specific cause or ideology. We had a good conversation, and I challenged Lt. Col Thiele on a few points that are worth discussing. First, what is the difference between 4th Generation Warfare and counterinsurgency? By this, I was trying to figure out if 4th Generation Warfare was simply another name for counterinsurgency. Second, 4th Generation Warfare presumes that there will not be state versus state hostilities in future generations. I pushed Lt. Col Thiele to explain how and why he believes this to be the case. The interview covers a lot of ground with issues relevant to the modern-day infantry. Lt. Col Thiele talks about “light infantry” tactics and training. It is good to think about whether the infantry is being properly trained and prepared for the next fight. It is hard to predict what that fight could be. However, these types of discussions and books should get people to think and engage, which is critical to preparing for success on future battlefields. Check out the book: HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. For any requests for additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/10682204

On Desperate Ground: An Interview with Hampton Sides 06/30/2019

On Desperate Ground: An Interview with Hampton Sides Today’s guest is Hampton Sides. He is the author of On Desperate Ground: The Marines at the Reservoir, the Korean War’s Greatest Battle. The topic is the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. This battle took place in the Fall and Winter of 1950 during the Korean War. Marines were surrounded at the Chosin Reservoir by over 100,000 of Mao’s Red Army forces. With their backs to the wall and facing total annihilation, they fought back with tenacity and determination. The fighting took place in sub-zero temperatures on unforgiving terrain. The Chinese attacked the Marines at night with wave after wave of soldiers storming the Marines positions. The fighting became hand to hand quickly. Marines used knives, bayonets, canteens, and helmets to repel the Chinese attackers. In the end the Marines and Allied forces were able to execute a withdrawal from the Chosin Reservoir. They were surrounded by an overwhelming force and against all odds managed to execute a complicate maneuver to avoid destruction. In the interview, Hampton discusses many topics to include: - How the Korean War was a failure of intelligence - The difference in leadership between Generals MacArthur and General Oliver P Smith - The nature of the fighting and what it was like for the Marines on the ground - How the war ended or didn’t end Finally, in researching his book, Hampton talked to many veterans of the war. He explains how the Korean War became considered the “forgotten war.” However, books like On Desperate Ground help keep the memory of Korean War and those veterans alive. This episode is dedicated to the brave men and women who served our nation during the Korean War. We should never forget the service and sacrifice of so many great Americans. Check out Hampton’s book: Hampton Sides website: HELP SPREAD THE WORD! If you like this interview, and want to hear others, subscribe in iTunes. Support the show with written reviews, share on social media, and through word of mouth. For any requests for additional shows or guests, e-mail me: Check out the website: /episode/index/show/professionalmilitaryeducation/id/10347413

Professional Military Education

TOPICS