Commanding General shares spring reading list
USAREC Commanding General Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet
April 11, 2014
As Winter turns to Spring across the country, I am reflecting on some great books and articles that have shaped my thinking since my last update. I offer them to you for your consideration as you begin your Spring reading.
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, by Robert Gates. Since most of our team has served as military or civilian, we have been affected directly and indirectly by the decisions and actions of Secretary Gates. Significantly, Mr. Gates gives us an insider’s view on the good and bad, ugly and inspiring of service at the strategic level. I highly recommend you add this book to your “must read” list.
When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, by David Maraniss. While not a new book (published in 1999), inspiring biographies are timeless. Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize winner, captures the inspiring and very human journey of a leader. That the opening chapter is titled “Tattoos” alone should set our USAREC team for some lively discussion. The good news is there is much more to offer both personally and professionally in this account of Vince Lombardi and his journey.
Treasury’s War: The Unleashing of a New Era of Financial Warfare, by Juan Zarate. For those of us in the military, we see the exercise of national power primarily through a military lens. In the last decade, America has waged war through means not nearly as visible to us but arguably as important. To better understand our times, with an eye to the future conflicts, I commend Zarate’s Treasury’s War.
Things that Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics, by Charles Krauthammer. Love him or hate him, America for years has found Krauthammer’s insights and essays as must reads. In an era of hyper-partisanship, these essays are both refreshing and centering, and call to rise above and engage the most important things. Check out Mr. Krauthammer’s engagement on Jon Stewart’s “The Dailyshow” here to get a feel for the man (and a sample of his wit).
From my online readings, a few wide-ranging articles:
· The Missing Piece in Ensuring Afghanistan’s Peace, (ADM(R) Stavridis, former NATO commander, in Foreign Policy)
· Management Tip: Listen to Your Customers -- Especially When They Disagree, #HBRMgmntTip - @HarvardBiz
· String Field Theory Genius Explains The Coming Breakthroughs That Will Change Life As We Know It, (@twitofgus)
· Five Questions to Identify Key Stakeholders, @HarvardBiz
· Want the best tips & tricks for your #Galaxy? Follow us to learn more (@SamsungMobileUS)
· 13 Things Only 'Military Brats' Will Understand, by @amanda_m_macias (@businessinsider)
Don’t be overly humble! Let us in USAREC know what is shaping your thinking here on MilSuite, or message me and our growing community on Twitter (@USAREC_CG).
USAREC Commanding General Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet
April 11, 2014
As Winter turns to Spring across the country, I am reflecting on some great books and articles that have shaped my thinking since my last update. I offer them to you for your consideration as you begin your Spring reading.
Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War, by Robert Gates. Since most of our team has served as military or civilian, we have been affected directly and indirectly by the decisions and actions of Secretary Gates. Significantly, Mr. Gates gives us an insider’s view on the good and bad, ugly and inspiring of service at the strategic level. I highly recommend you add this book to your “must read” list.
When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi, by David Maraniss. While not a new book (published in 1999), inspiring biographies are timeless. Maraniss, a Pulitzer Prize winner, captures the inspiring and very human journey of a leader. That the opening chapter is titled “Tattoos” alone should set our USAREC team for some lively discussion. The good news is there is much more to offer both personally and professionally in this account of Vince Lombardi and his journey.
Treasury’s War: The Unleashing of a New Era of Financial Warfare, by Juan Zarate. For those of us in the military, we see the exercise of national power primarily through a military lens. In the last decade, America has waged war through means not nearly as visible to us but arguably as important. To better understand our times, with an eye to the future conflicts, I commend Zarate’s Treasury’s War.
Things that Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics, by Charles Krauthammer. Love him or hate him, America for years has found Krauthammer’s insights and essays as must reads. In an era of hyper-partisanship, these essays are both refreshing and centering, and call to rise above and engage the most important things. Check out Mr. Krauthammer’s engagement on Jon Stewart’s “The Dailyshow” here to get a feel for the man (and a sample of his wit).
From my online readings, a few wide-ranging articles:
· The Missing Piece in Ensuring Afghanistan’s Peace, (ADM(R) Stavridis, former NATO commander, in Foreign Policy)
· Management Tip: Listen to Your Customers -- Especially When They Disagree, #HBRMgmntTip - @HarvardBiz
· String Field Theory Genius Explains The Coming Breakthroughs That Will Change Life As We Know It, (@twitofgus)
· Five Questions to Identify Key Stakeholders, @HarvardBiz
· Want the best tips & tricks for your #Galaxy? Follow us to learn more (@SamsungMobileUS)
· 13 Things Only 'Military Brats' Will Understand, by @amanda_m_macias (@businessinsider)
Don’t be overly humble! Let us in USAREC know what is shaping your thinking here on MilSuite, or message me and our growing community on Twitter (@USAREC_CG).