fabiochiu/medium-articles huggingface dataset:
Starting — and Closing—a Pandemic Venture
By: Ethan Pierce
Tags: Startup Lessons, Entrepreneurship, PostMortem, Boston, Pandemic

During our first four months in operation, we proved that both of these hypotheses are viable.

We gained over 75% of our customers through dedicated emails from our restaurant partners, and posts from their social accounts.

We were also able to successfully utilize pre-existing restaurant vendors to have them deliver pre-packed grocery product directly to our partner restaurants, and our restaurant partners were able to successfully fulfill these orders to Grocery Outpost customers.

This was our dream — a no-touch solution where Grocery Outpost could connect vendors and consumers, have the product delivered through pre-existing supply chain, and offer customers convenient local pickup.

Where Our Model Broke

Ultimately, there were two challenges that we weren’t able to overcome as a team: 1) the instability of partners, caused by the second wave of the pandemic, and 2) human error.

As fall slowly turned into winter, more and more of our partners started shortening their hours of operation or went into ‘hibernation’ entirely.

Additionally, as we introduced new products and vendors to the service (in order to increase order size and retain customers), we quickly became beleaguered by order errors — both from vendors delivering the wrong product, and restaurant staff making aggregation errors.

These errors were costly to correct and also reduced customer confidence.

At the same time, it became increasingly difficult to offer consistent pickup windows with our restaurant partners, due to shortened hours or closures.

Although our partners valued the revenue share we brought to the table, ultimately, it wasn’t enough to keep their doors open.

REFLECTIONS

Is it possible that we could have resolved these problems with sufficient capital, technology, and time? Perhaps.

But ultimately, in an unstable and rapidly changing market like grocery — especially given the pandemic — we decided against pursuing funding.

As one mentor put it, “When the winds fail you, don’t try to sail home, no matter how well built the boat or seasoned the crew.”

So much of entrepreneurship comes down to timing.

We’ve both gained incredibly valuable learnings from this venture that we will take with us, and nurture in new forms — but the timing isn’t right for us to continue pursuing this particular path.
Startup Series: How to Think about Startup Ideas?
By: Hamza Iqbal
Tags: Startup Life, Startup, Startup Lessons, Ideas, Ideas To Execution

Photo by Frank Vessia on Unsplash

Why is it hard to find a good idea or does the dichotomy of good and bad ideas even exist? Do bad ideas exist? And if yes how to go around them to find a good idea for a start-up.

So, the first mistake most of the people make is to wait for an amazing idea to start off with. A moment of Eureka. They believe that the key to a start-up success is a brilliant billion-dollar idea. It is easy to think like that when you see tech giants such as Facebook, Google and such, and to think that they only grew based on some ground-breaking revelation. But believe me when I tell you this, Facebook was the 20th social networking site among top names like Myspace such at the time of its infancy. Much like Google was the 20th search engine.

So, the next mistake would be jumping onto first idea you get into your head. Rather you should look for the problems and most preferably the problems around you. Because you don’t need perfect idea for a start-up. You just need a starting point. The reason is that a lot of the startup usually evolved through their initial idea. for example, take Airbnb, it was initially just a website for renting air beds at other people’s houses. Now through trial and testing, it has evolved into a million dollar all vacation rental service. How did this actually happen though? Like turning from just a starting point to a full fledge market approved idea. This is done using the lean startup strategy which I will explain in another blog.

Another mistake would be to start with solutions rather than problems. Like coming up with Uber for builders. It is a solution that is in search for a problem. Like the problem could be the difficult in finding builders or construction workers. Starting from the problem itself could have worked well for you as you might have been able to provide a better solution than rather just being an uber for builders.

One of the common mistakes I see especially in Pakistan is that founders don’t like to start their startups in the space where there is competition. This is much better and safer than going with a completely different idea, because founders would usually find out that the reason there are no competitors is because nobody wants the product. A better version of your idea would be a market with existing competitors but positioning your startup on one/two metrics different than them on the loopholes that you might have spotted in their ideas. Dropbox is one of the example as there were a lot of other file storage solutions but they were better than their competitors and got to beat them all.

So, a good approach after having a good starting would be to test out the startup idea. You could do this by creating a google form and asking them questions like “do you face this problem? If yes, you can ask about its frequency and if the person has found any viable solutions beforehand”. This would give you some hope that your idea could have some potential users.

Thanks to Abdullah Khurram for reading and editing drafts of this.
Waves, Values and Insights. HKEK is 5!
By: Matt Cyrankiewicz
Tags: Agency, Startup Lessons, Studio, Growth, Birthday

Waves, Values and Insights. HKEK is 5!

On riding waves literally and otherwise, across 5 years of calm and stormy waters. Also on 200%+ growth every year, happy teams, remote work and deep values for real impact. Matt Cyrankiewicz Follow Dec 22, 2020 · 11 min read

Well, HOO KOO E KOO is five! 🎂

5!

I too can’t believe it my friends, we survived! Instead of a generic company recap, I thought it might be worth sharing some deeper look from my personal perspective of the founder.

What started as an experiment in remote work has now grown to over 40 people, 7 figures in annual revenue and has touched a mountain of amazing projects that will truly shape the future of our world. We grow ~200% every year and signs are that the next one will be no different.

I’m proud of our beautiful team and all the narrow escapes from death we managed to pull off. But don’t let me get self-congratulatory. There were many turns, f*ck-ups and pivotal moments in our journey to building what we are now.

Let’s dive into it in two parts:

Values Waves (Our Story)

No matter your industry, especially — but not only — as a founder or executive, you might find these useful!
Who Am I?
By: Ben Clements
Tags: Analytics, Veterans, Military, Biography, Self Development

Who am I should be easy enough to answer? But it never is.

The worst part about this question is the starting point. Where does one start and end at? Well, the easiest way is to just start with the most passionate thing possible in one’s life.

My passion has always been to help veterans achieve more than they are given credit for. And I say that as a veteran myself; five long, glorious years in the United States Army Airborne Infantry. But helping veterans is more than wearing a yellow ribbon or donating to a veteran organization. It’s finding a purpose and driving that purpose with the mindset of veterans helping veterans.

That last part is the hardest to find. I always thought my purpose to help veterans has been answering questions and making sure everyone had a voice, but it’s more than that. I’ve been on ruck marches with veterans listening to their stories and jokes, and while that is great, it’s not enough. I have tried to run an event for Veteran’s Day, and while it was somewhat successful, it still was not enough.

Life as a veteran: climbing and succeeding mountains when they come

My current belief is to combine my business and IT skills to help drive websites and organizations to help other veterans by veterans themselves. I have ideas, but with every idea, it takes careful planning and buildup. And that is who I am. Everything I do, I strive to keep that in mind while I hone my skills and knowledge.

For my knowledge and skills, I am studying analytics to figure out the veteran’s patterns with web searches and practices. For website design, I am studying Python. And for a product to own and see it get to the next level, I am studying Scrum and Project/Product Management.

That is who I am.
Why Were the Allies Not Marched Upon at Dunkirk?
By: Alexander Fleiss
Tags: World War II, Military, France

December 26, 2020 · Military

The Dunkirk evacuation, code-named Operation Dynamo and also known as the Miracle of Dunkirk, was the evacuation of Allied soldiers during World War II from the beaches and harbour of Dunkirk, in the north of France, between 26 May and 4 June 1940.

Rebellion sits down with General David Petraeus to find out the answer to why the Germans did not advance at Dunkirk and more!

What is the Future of the US Military?

Read More
What is the Future of the US Military?
By: Alexander Fleiss
Tags: Military

December 25, 2020 · Military

What is the Future of the US Military?​

As 2020 draws to a close Rebellion looks back at the conversations that taught us so much!

US Army General & CIA Director David Petraeus talks with us on a variety of topics including World War 2.

US Nuclear Submarine USS Santa Fe’s Captain talks with Rebellion on all things submarines, naval & maritime history.

We were lucky enough to have Astronaut Mike Mullane from NASA talk about flying an RF-4C Phantom vs a Space Shuttle

U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship Program

Director of the Navy War College on the Navy of tomorrow!

World’s Largest Aircraft Carrier Designer US Navy Captain Tal Manvel
An Army Guide on How To Learn From Feedback & Criticism
By: Max Schollum
Tags: Feedback, Military, Personal Development

An Army Guide on How To Learn From Feedback & Criticism

During my time training to become a commissioned officer of the army, I learnt a couple of very valuable lessons. One of the most useful lessons was a framework on how to work with negative feedback from superiors, because — oh boy- you get a lot of feedback in the army. (Think Private Pyle & DI Hartmann in Full Metal Jacket)

Accurate portrayal of everyones first days as a recruit

First things first — actively seek as much feedback as possible. I tend to explicitly ask for negative feedback, as the positive is nice to hear, but doesn’t help you improve. Invite everyone you work with to give you their opinion. This can be via a conversation, a quick whatsapp voice message or maybe even have a survey prepared that you can share.

So while the old “feedback is the greatest gift someone can give you” thing might often be true, sometimes feedback isn’t as constructive as you wish it would be, so it’s up to you to make it constructive.

As soldiers tend to be concise in their advice, they teach you little mnemonics to make sure you can never forget their insights. For feedback, they called it the “Triple A”, which in German was: “Akzeptieren, Analysieren, Ausführen” which translates to “accept, analyse and execute”.

Let me walk you through this:

Step 1: Accept — don’t apologize, don’t explain.

When you are criticized, there is absolutely no need to apologize or to explain why something happened. Don’t be offended: say thank you and listen carefully.

I got this piece of advice from my drill sergeant that really changed my perspective: “Don’t explain to me what your point of view was, or why you think you were right. It doesn’t matter. I don’t care”.

Putting yourself in his shoes, this makes a lot of sense. I messed up and he gave me advice on how to avoid doing that in the future. Done. That’s it. No need to save face, or try to justify why something went wrong. Say thank you, and don’t do it again. People are trying to help, not put you down.

Step 2: Analyse — reflect on what is being said and why.

Contextualizing feedback is always essential, but do this in private and not while discussing the comments. Why did you get this feedback? Is this something you have heard more often or is this the first time? Can you see patterns? How does this fit in with other people’s feedback? Try to distill this criticism down to a couple of key messages.

Step 3: Execute — Implementing feedback

Putting feedback into practice is hard, but it is imperative to avoid repeating unwanted behavior or errors. People don’t get mad at you for making mistakes. People get mad for repeatedly making the same mistakes. Showing that you learn from feedback and improve from it is incredibly rewarding not only for you, but also for your superior.
Turkey authorizes 18-month extension of Libya troop deployment
By: Desert Talks
Tags: Military, Türkçe, Greece, Libya, Maritime

Turkey authorizes 18-month extension of Libya troop deployment

President Erdogan meeting with Libya’s GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj in Istanbul, Turkey.

Turkey’s parliament on Tuesday authorized an 18-month extension of its troop deployment in Libya in support of the the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

Turkey’s support GNA in Tripoli helped stave off an offensive by eastern Commander Khalifa Haftar in April 2019.

The sides struck a ceasefire agreement in October formally ending the fighting and setting the stage for elections at the end of next year.

Turkey’s presence in Libya is linked to its broader interests in the eastern Mediterranean, where it is hunting for natural gas in disputed waters claimed by Cyprus in Greece.

Ankara struck an agreement with the GNA leadership in November 2019 that extended Turkey’s maritime claims in the Mediterranean in exchange for military support.

Turkey’s parliament authorized the first one-year troop deployment to Libya in January of this year.
You are defending and sentimentalising the armed wing of US corporations.
By: Edwin Blake
Tags: Defundhate, Military, Budget, ICC

You are defending and sentimentalising the armed wing of US corporations. This military of yours has been involved in illegal wars in Iraq with hundreds of thousands of deaths and drone strikes against civilians long before Trump ever came down the escalator. This armed force is explicitly immune from prosecution from legitimate authorities in the countries it operates in. The USA has always opposed the International Criminal Court. All Trump has done is made this clearer to all. You seem to dislike that.

More than that, he has tried to withdraw from some of your foreign war schemes. Your military isn’t about defence. It is for offence, especially if oil is involved. You also seem to dislike that.
美國太空軍，全球的守護者
By: Aero Ho
Tags: Military, Us News

Learn more. Medium is an open platform where 170 million readers come to find insightful and dynamic thinking. Here, expert and undiscovered voices alike dive into the heart of any topic and bring new ideas to the surface. Learn more

Make Medium yours. Follow the writers, publications, and topics that matter to you, and you’ll see them on your homepage and in your inbox. Explore
For Moeser
By: Jess Hackett
Tags: Creative Writing, Aspiring Writer, Military, Poetry On Medium, Poetry

The local news

paper printed your picture

on the front page

with a paragraph about

your service. Local high

school. Flight school. Over

seas combat. Dead so

young. Dead serving. No

different than other dead

youngs. Maybe because

you were a woman.

Maybe because you were

a local dead young-er.

I pass a street with

your name everyday for

work. Now

I think of you every

day. Think of you flying

into the ground or

curled up with a bullet

in the gut or

stumbling through sand.

I wonder what you saw

going to work when

work was everywhere

and everywhere was

death. Can’t teach death

in flight school. Learn in the field.

Practice. Death internship. Now I

think of death on the

road to work. Maybe

because I see your

name on a blue

street sign. Maybe

only because your name

is flanked by

signs for Heritage

Drive. Liberty Avenue.

Independence Court.

Maybe because you’re

a woman.

Your name was Moeser.
3 Things to Consider Before Joining The Military
By: Jordan Mendiola
Tags: Military, Inspiration, United States, Army, America

1. You Need to Always be on Your Toes

Every single day in the military is different. Some days, you’ll have a normal work-pace and then others you’ll be called upon to travel to a completely different country to serve for a year.

You are serving your country and doing whatever is asked of you. When signing the dotted line, you’re giving your life to the military and uncertainties. I never let my fear of deployment stop me from joining.

In 2019, I was called upon to serve in the Middle-East. I’m lucky to have come back safely, and I’m so grateful for all of the cultural experiences and spontaneous lessons I learned away from home.

It could be three in the morning, and an emergency mission comes up. You don’t have any say in rolling over and sleeping in. When it’s time to go, you go. People rely on you for your knowledge and your commitment to the military.

It’s the most intensely bonded team in the world that utilizes everyone in order to achieve one goal —to protect our country.

Keep in Mind

If you easily get overwhelmed and don’t like spontaneous events coming up, the military could cause you a lot of anxiety. There’s a lot of “frago’s” and unexpected things that come up.

There have been times where I expected to attend family events, but I had to serve. I missed my sister’s wedding, the passing of my childhood dog, and so much more, but that’s the sacrifice that comes with serving.

If you’re extroverted and love the “adventure” and are in it for the thrill, you’ll be just fine. An enthusiastic spirit thrives in the military because there’s always something to do, so many people to meet, and a ton of once in a lifetime experiences.
Helicopter Simulator Market Size Worth $1.5 Billion By 2027
By: Gaurav Shah
Tags: Military, Europe, Transportation, Commercial, Automotive

The global helicopter simulator market size is anticipated to reach USD 1.5 billion by 2027, expanding at a CAGR of 5.6%, according to a study conducted by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth of this market is attributed to the rising focus towards safety of pilots and passengers, and cost-effectiveness in training catering to high fuel prices and maintenance costs. Increasing need for advanced technology and features to precisely replicate ground and flying conditions for training is also expected the drive the growth of this market.

A helicopter simulator offers several cockpit features along with motion and visual systems within a helicopter shell for training. The device is equipped with advanced features like acceleration onset cueing, collimation, low latency, and Stewart platform. These features enable the device to recreate the environmental conditions like air density, wind shear, and turbulence, which assists the pilot to train under these conditions. This provides the pilot with realistic hands-on experience of handling and operating the aircraft, thereby resulting in increased adoption of the device.

Full Mission Simulators (FMSs) are equipped with features to deliver weapons and ammunition training to the aircrew, which results in the cost of training with actual weapons. FMSs are also capable of creating battle scenarios, which provides training in the detection and engagement of targets. Training on a machine that can simulate real-life situations, results in saving around 45–55 percent cost per hour as compared to training on an actual helicopter. Although, training on the machine is cost effective, the high initial cost of the machine is expected to pose a challenge to the growth of this market.

The military segment held the largest market share in 2019. This high share is attributable to increasing use of the aircraft in military operations. Military forces use machines that can simulate real-time situations for the pilots and train them for possible situations and services like transportations of troops, ammunition, and goods. The commercial segment is anticipated to witness steady growth owing to increasing use of the aircraft in medical emergency services and commercial flying. Rising demand for trained pilots for mail services and business travelling is also expected to propel segment growth in coming years.

Click the link below:

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/helicopter-simulator-market

Further key findings from the report suggest:
Trump Drives the Final Stake Through the Hearts of American Veterans
By: Joe Duncan
Tags: Military, United States, Crime, Trump, Politics

Hold up. This is a lot to wrap my brain around. The Republican Party’s new leader is now waging an overt political war against the U.S. Military itself?What might cause him to do such a thing?

First, he’s upset that the government hasn’t eliminated section 230 from the U.S. penal code, a section that grants websites federal protections from lawsuits for the content that their user's post. Section 230 essentially can’t be repealed without breaking the Internet, as the vast majority of internet sites feature comments sections and user feedback. Trump said, quote:

“Your failure to terminate the very dangerous national security risk of Section 230 will make our intelligence virtually impossible to conduct without everyone knowing what we are doing at every step,”

Second, he’s angry that the military spending bill includes name changes for the military bases that are named after long-dead (and much traitorous) Confederates, people who fought in the American Civil War to preserve the institution of slavery and secede from the United States, tearing down the Republic as it stood.

This is the final stake that’s been driven through the heart of American veterans and the Republican Party is guilty by association. Destroying the name of U.S. Military while simultaneously holding up their pay and our defense spending so you can throw a tizzy tantrum is no bridge too far for Trump.

And you know what? The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. It all makes sense in the most bizarre, twisted, fucked up way thinkable.

It makes sense if you secretly believe that the United States has veered off course and become an “illegitimate government” as many in the Trump-leaning militia movements and right-wing political groups, including white nationalist groups, believe.

It makes sense if your subscription to the Trump identity is one that believes that the entire Democratic Republic and all of the American values are so irredeemably corrupted that you’d rather burn it to the ground and install an autocrat atop the ashes than try to fix things from within the political framework we’ve been granted. That’s what a lot of people wanted when they voted for him, isn’t it? Didn’t they clamor to “drain the swamp” and shake things up?

Doing politics is hard. It requires persuasion, convincing, reaching out, having conversations, and listening to others who see the world differently from you. The temptation is great for many to throw their hands up and say burn the whole society to the ground, or, at the very least, throw veterans and the U.S. military under the bus the moment you don’t get your way about something.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
By: Nathan Allen
Tags: LGBTQ, History, Military, Culture, Equality

In the Beginning, There were Straights and Closeted Gays?

It goes without saying that LGBTQ+ people have been around for as long as people have been around. This also means that gay men/women/non-binary people have served from the start of the US military. And if the military is even somewhat representative of the country’s demographics, then 3.5 percent of the institution would be gay or bisexual.

So, if we believe that the figure of 1.3 million military members is accurate, then over 45,000 members are not straight. That is a lot of people — many of which are probably just trying to do their job.

(Also, I need to mention that DADT did not concern transgender members explicitly, but it can be assumed that those members too were subjected to harassment and dismissal.)

With that said, being openly not straight in the military has always been a gamble. Although no law was really in place, members suspected of engaging in “homosexual acts” were often discharged. At one point, due to pathologizing gays and lesbians, some members did not pass a psychiatric screening and were dismissed.

Some gay/bisexual members were discharged via blue discharge — which was a discharge that was neither honorable nor dishonorable. This type of uncharacterized discharge was disproportionately given to LGBT+ members and Black members. Notably, it was only utilized in the Army Corps and Air Force.

Later, the military instituted a new label: undesirable discharge. It carried the same procedural weight as a blue discharge, but it became the standard for discharging members that were only suspected of being gay or bisexual.

The rest of the more recent history of this issue is just fraught with blatant homophobia. In 1975, Technical Sergeant Leonard Philip Matlovich donned the cover of TIME magazine to fight the ousting of gay members of the military. A 1982 policy brief from the Department of Defense stated that:

“Homosexuality is incompatible with military service. The presence in the military environment of persons who engage in homosexual conduct or who, by their statements demonstrate a propensity to engage in homosexual conduct, seriously impairs the accomplishment of the military mission.”

In 1992, Marine Corps Chaplain Capt. Larry H. Ellis wrote that:

“In the unique, intensely close environment of the military, homosexual conduct can threaten the lives, including the physical (e.g. AIDS) and psychological well-being of others…Legislators and military leaders have a legitimate role to play in checking the spread of homosexual behavior, especially among young people whose minds and characters are in formative stages, thus preventing physical and/or psychological harm that could injure many innocent people.”

It was highly praised among military officials.

The point here is that the military was extremely hostile to non-straight people. If you wanted to remain in the military, you absolutely had to give an Oscar-worthy performance that convinced others you were straight.
The Unrecognized Pandemic
By: Gus Kappler
Tags: PTSD, Veterans, Military, Vietnam, Suicide

My year in Vietnam was a game-changer. My world was changed forever — overall for the better. Ask any veteran, and they will relate, if they trust you, that they are frequently back in their war zone — some every day. They, like myself, vividly return to what was seen and experienced so long ago. The recollections are so acute that I feel as if the scene is unfolding live in my presence.

Newly minted trauma surgeon, 30 yo Gus, at Eagle Beach and in the 85th Evac OR

I’m eighty-one, and the fifty-year-old intrusions have never faded.

The military culture and stigmatization are one’s default existence when serving.

There is the politicians’ and our government’s confusion between wars of necessity and choice. There is the fallacy of nation-building. There is the hopelessness of “winning hearts and minds” when engaging an indigenous population in guerrilla warfare. There is the repeated misinformation. There is the wish not to be the last to die in a senseless conflict.

To some active-duty military and veterans, the experience is overwhelming, and PTS(D), substance abuse, and suicide are the fallout.

I do not do drugs; I am functional; I pursued a successful surgical practice; My wife, Robin, and I still are in love since we met in high school. My children are healthy, and they have accomplished children.

However, my life has been Vietnam-centric. That experience has become the modifying lens through which I interpret the world around me.

Actively recognizable and smoldering PTS is the debilitating and possibly fatal pandemic affecting our nation and the world. The military, first-line workers, police, firefighters, family members of those afflicted, and victims of crime and national disasters. There are many more triggers.

The problem is that our national approach is to ignore it since “I am not affected” and to wait for overwhelming symptoms to present before “therapy” ensues.

There are twenty-five or so treatment approaches for this PTS pandemic. All have some success but are time-consuming and uncoordinated.

My argument is, why not concentrate on prevention?

There is much to discuss and debate.

I’ll begin next time.
Do Military Leaders Suffer Imposter Syndrome?
By: James Tew
Tags: Imposter Syndrome, Military, Leadership, Productivity

In 1985, Dr Clance first began her research into Imposter Phenomenon (1). Defined as the internal experience of intellectual phoniness, Dr Clance studied the phenomenon amongst high performing women.

Today, we often refer to the phenomenon as Imposter Syndrome.

In 1978, Clance and Imes studied 150 high performing women. Despite all their success, these women felt they were imposters who did not belong.

Clance and Imes stopped short of concluding that only women experienced the phenomenon. Additional research has since indicated that men do succumb to similar feelings.

Do leaders, new to a position or role, experience similar feelings?

Clance concludes that the Imposter Phenomenon consists of six characteristics:

The Imposter Cycle The need to be “special” or to be the very best Superman/Superwoman aspects Fear of failure Denial of competence and Discounting praise Fear and guilt about success

To be considered as an Imposter, two of these characteristics must be present (2).

In the military context or any competitive industry, the need to be “special” is prevalent. You have to stand out amongst your peers when competing for positions or postings. Which then breeds fear of failure. And if you then miss out on the position/posting, increased denial of competence ensues.

While this might not be the case amongst all military leaders, it is something that I’ve experienced. Not only in a leadership role but in previous postings too.

Imposter Syndrome is something that commonly addressed amongst creatives and entrepreneurs. I am yet to come across it in my professional circles. Perhaps it is seen as taboo to discuss your feelings of inadequacy in fear that it will have adverse consequences.

How do we combat Imposter Syndrome?

Employing a feedback loop that offers evidence-based reporting, both positive and negative, is one method I’ve found useful. It doesn’t involve page long reports but providing a “pat on the back” or an example of a different approach has worked well in my experience. And I’ve seen it from great leaders I’ve worked with throughout my career.

I’m sure there are other methods, styles and examples of how leaders have addressed Imposter Syndrome. I intend on finding out these examples and documenting them.

In the meantime, to combat my own Imposter Syndrome, I will continue to make consistent progress towards my goals.

Please leave a comment with any experiences or suggestions on how to combat this internal struggle.
A Jolly Time 🍗
Tags: Christmas, Covid 19, Military, Business, Government

It’s been a tough year for all. For some, the pandemic is just an added bonus this year as day-to-day life is already a task in itself. The U.S. troops fall under that category, for example.

The Pentagon understands this and has taken the initiative to help put a smile on the face of the American troops stationed on U.S military stations worldwide. They are planning on doing this by sending out just under 51,000 pounds of roasted turkey and 7000 gallons of eggnog for the holidays.

The Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support Commander Army Brig. Gen. Gavin Lawrence made a compelling statement related to the matter.

“This year, despite the additional complexities that Covid-19 put in front of us, the DLA Troop Support Subsistence team went above and beyond to make sure our service men and women around the world will have a wonderful Christmas dinner,”

The sizable shipment includes 9000 whole turkeys, 51,000 pounds of roasted turkeys, 74,000 pounds of beef, 21,000 pounds of ham, 67,000 of shrimp, 16,000 of sweet potatoes, 19,000 pounds of pies and cakes and 7000 gallons of eggnog.

I am not a financial advisor and my comments should never be taken as financial advice. Investments come with risk, so always do your research and analysis beforehand.
Unipolar Multilateralism and Multipolar Unilateralism
By: The Pacific Orientation
Tags: Foreign Policy, Global Affairs, Military, America, World

Hello, and welcome to my first Medium post. Here on this page, I plan to discuss global affairs and American foreign policy from a non-partisan viewpoint. Our changing times of American retrenchment and Chinese belligerence are widely misunderstood, and I hope to educate at least a few, all while using this as an opportunity to augment my own understanding.

Let’s get started with the terms mentioned in my title, first, x-polarism. There are three different hierarchies of affairs between different polities. The first is multipolarism. The balance of power between a variety of polities in strategic competition with each other. The vast majority of history has featured regional multipolarism, as affairs were not global until recent centuries. An example of this would be the Italian balance of power during the Renaissance, between multiple different ‘poles’, e.g. centers of power taking the form of different Italian Renaissance states such as Lombardy, Venice, Tuscany, and Genoa. The next form of hierarchy of affairs is bipolarism. Bipolarism appears when two ‘poles’ of power in a multipolar system are so powerful that all ‘poles’ get absolved into one of the two. A historical example is the Cold War. When the Cold War initially began, the British Empire was considered a superpower separate from the United States, and while the United States chose to back third-world nationalist movements, the British Empire desperately attempted to maintain colonialism. However, as the ideological conflict between capitalism and communism intensified, Britain was absolved into the overall Western Alliance dominated by the United States of America. Bipolarism, from the name, involves two ‘poles’ of power engulfed in regional or global strategic competition. The final form of hierarchy of affairs is also the most precious: unipolarism. Single-power dominance. Regional unipolarism has taken place in history, with the Roman Empire’s ‘Pax Romanum’ (Latin for Roman Peace) of its known world as an example. However, global unipolarism has been much more difficult to come by. The British Empire during the 19th-century and its ‘Pax Brittanica’ is debated as a unipolar period, as the British Empire continuously engaged in competition with other great powers such as the Russian Empire during that time. The unquestionable unipolar period is the one we live in today, ‘Pax Americana’.

The Berlin Wall fell in 1989. Two years later in 1991, the Soviet Union itself collapsed. America’s enemy since the 1940s was vanquished, and the crusade to liberate Europe from dictatorship (Monarchism, Fascism, and Communism) had been completed. For the first time in history, a single polity had the capability to enact influence and control anywhere in the world through hard (military) or soft (economic, cultural) power. The unipolar period was born. We’re living it.
I will read in depth later.
Tags: Income Inequality, Healthcare, Energy, Military, Economy

I will read in depth later. If the electricity will be generated by domestic oil, and water, wind, solar and nuke, this is great. If we become energy independent there is no justification for not cutting the military budget in half and then so much will be affordable without tax increases.
2020’s Top Ten Stories: The Royal Engineer’s first female Squadron Sergeant Major
By: Ministry Of Defence
Tags: Case Study, Military, Single Moms, Mum, UK

2020’s Top Ten Stories: The Royal Engineer’s first female Squadron Sergeant Major

In at number 2 is The Royal Engineer’s first female Squadron Sergeant Major. As we countdown to 2021, we are taking a look at some of our most-read stories from the last year. Ministry of Defence Follow Dec 22, 2020 · 3 min read

Each day in the run-up to New Year’s Day we will be reposting our most-read stories by you from 2020.

So far we’ve had;

10–2020’s Top Ten Stories: Inside Strategic Command

9 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Airborne soldiers make history

8 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: What kit does an Apache Pilot carry?

7 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: 5 things to know about the Poseidon

6 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: a couple on the frontline

5 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA)

4 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Poseidon protects UK waters against Russian warship

3 — 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Better to die than be a coward

“I’m the Royal Engineer’s first female Squadron Sergeant Major and a single mum.”

Deployed to Liverpool for COVID-19 testing, Squadron Sergeant Major Read has had an impressive 21-year career.

The squadron should have been abroad this year. But instead, they’re protecting their country from closer to home.

For the past two weeks (November), Squadron Sergeant Major Read has been overseeing her squadron’s work on Liverpool’s COVID-19 testing sites.

They’re handing out tests in 6 different schools on rotation.

“The pandemic has dampened a lot of our deployments, so we’re grateful to still be able to team together and do something important. The Engineers never fail to amaze me — whatever task they get given. The guys were trained on how to build the testing site and they rolled out so quickly. The speed at which they can put up the sites themselves and give the tests is so impressive.”

21 years ago, Lucy Read was only the fifth woman to join the Royal Engineers.

But she has since become their first female Squadron Sergeant Major.

Her son Charlie, 13, is incredibly proud of her. She says being one of few women was daunting at first, but was a huge motivator in working hard and proving herself.

Now, there are around 70 women in the corps, and she wants those considering applying to know there are a wide variety of roles in the Royal Engineers.

Being a single mum has been her toughest challenge in the Army, but her employer has been hugely supportive. For example, paying her son’s boarding school fees while she is on deployment.

It’s hard being in the same country as her son but unable to visit on weekends due to the pandemic.

They still facetime every day, and she’s great friends with Charlie’s father — a Paralympian veteran, who lost his lower limbs in Afghanistan and has since won gold representing his country in weightlifting in multiple competitions.

“You can be a mum and be in the Army. It shouldn’t put somebody off who wants to join the Army.”

Find out where else the UK Armed Forces are deployed here 👇
2020’s Top Ten Stories: Poseidon protects UK waters against Russian warship
By: Ministry Of Defence
Tags: Aviation, Military, Borders, Russia, UK

2020’s Top Ten Stories: Poseidon protects UK waters against Russian warship

In at number 4, the RAF’s Poseidon shadows a Russian warship. As we countdown to 2021, we are taking a look at some of our most-read stories from the last year. Ministry of Defence Follow Dec 22, 2020 · 3 min read

Each day in the run-up to New Year’s Day we will be reposting our most-read stories from 2020.

So far we’ve had;

10–2020’s Top Ten Stories: Inside Strategic Command

9–2020’s Top Ten Stories: Airborne soldiers make history

8–2020’s Top Ten Stories: What kit does an Apache Pilot carry?

7–2020’s Top Ten Stories: 5 things to know about the Poseidon

6–2020’s Top Ten Stories: a couple on the frontline

5–2020’s Top Ten Stories: Military Aid to Civil Authorities (MACA)

Poseidon protects UK waters against Russian warship

The new RAF submarine-hunting aircraft completed its first mission shadowing a Russian warship in the North Sea in August.

RAF P-8A Poseidon flies over Vasily Bykov over the North Sea.

The Royal Air Force once again intercepted Russian activity. But this was a first for the RAF’s new P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The sub-hunting aircraft completed its first operational mission, shadowing a Russian warship in the North Sea near UK waters.

Monitoring and tracking activity in the airspace and seas around the UK is paramount to our security. It keeps us safe.

Aircraft from the RAF and vessels from the Royal Navy ensure our seas and skies are defended at all times.

Oblique and overviews of the Vasily Bykov transiting through the North Sea on 3 August 2020 as captured by the P-8A Poseidon.

As the Poseidon aircraft kept watch of the Russian vessel it was supported by Typhoon fighter jets and the Voyager refuelling aircraft.

This mission shows that together, both the RAF, Royal Navy and our NATO allies will secure the seas and skies to keep us safe.
Battling your Self-Doubt
By: James Tew
Tags: Military, Self Doubt, YouTube, Ideas

There’s something about the holiday season that encourages you to evaluate what you would like your legacy to be. I enjoyed making videos in the past. Talking about my experiences and what I believed made a good leader. That was lost for a while because I was chasing money. I was showing people how to make videos. I had a lot of fun.

However, as I wrote recently, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. The intersection of where we see our lives going and where we would like our lives to go. It’s something a lot of us struggle with, I am sure of it.

The question I pose to you all is; how quickly do you pull the trigger when it comes to undertaking a new project?

In the past, I’ve been trigger happy. That is, an idea forms, I run with it, find out it is a half-cooked idea and give up. Not a recipe for success.

One of those moments hit me today, as I was mowing the lawn ahead of the Christmas mayhem.

“I should revive my YouTube channel and talk about the battle against ourselves.”

Between you, me and the lawnmower, it’s a bloody great idea!

Then after the rumble of the mower has settled down, the reality of life as a dad of five sets back in, self-doubt takes over. Precisely, the reason what I was thinking of combating.

The self-doubt that you’re not good enough. The self-doubt that no one would want to listen to what you have to say.

“What if people laugh at what I have to say?”

“I should stay in my lane because I don’t have anything worthy to say.”

What is the right answer when it comes to pulling the trigger on that idea? That little bit of hope for a better future for either yourself or your family.

I don’t know. As it turns out, Google has a few ideas on market research.

Customer research is a well-researched topic. There is plenty of literature online and in various business schools around the world. After all, the majority of our interactions with businesses are as a result of marketing. However, what if we don’t want to build a business?

I, like most people, are happy swimming in my lane. I enjoy my career. However, there are times when we require “something” else. Many people find that in the form of activities like golf or running.

Creating something can be that hobby.

But this comes back to how long should you let the dust settle on that idea? How long are you going to let self-doubt talk you out of action?

I don’t have the answer. I’m sitting here writing this article, talking myself out of doing more. Do I go back to making videos? Should I be content with the status quo?

I feel the answer to all these questions is not something I alone have faced. If you’ve had experience with this dilemma, please comment. I’m incredibly interested in other stories on overcoming self-doubt.
How a Nobleman Destroyed Half the World by Saving Face
By: J.J. Pryor
Tags: World War II, Military, History, Psychology, Politics

“History is perhaps correct, but don’t forget, it is written by the victors.”

The above quote is often misattributed to Winston Churchill, but it has been a trope throughout centuries of history.

Churchill used a similar line several times, often an attempt at a joke.

History should be the ultimate judge of his character because he was about to write it.

He reused the line because it worked and it garnered him lots of laughter whenever he used it in his opening address.

Humor hiding the obvious — Churchill was a prolific writer and had full intentions of rewriting history in the way he felt best suitable.

Best suitable for him.

Churchill ended up publishing over 70 volumes of his work during his lifetime, many about WW2 and his own involvement in it.

But love him or hate him, he wasn’t the only leader in history to try to rewrite it to suit his own likeness.

His dabbling in etching historical records didn’t lead to many unfortunate consequences — other than giving people a better impression of him than he perhaps deserved.

But that wasn’t always the case.

Another important military leader tried to rewrite history just a few decades before Churchill — to devastating effect.
Operation CABRIT explained: Deterring Aggression in Estonia and Poland
By: Ministry Of Defence
Tags: Operations, Military, Nato, Russia, UK

Operation CABRIT explained: Deterring Aggression in Estonia and Poland

The Baltics States and Poland have a long history of risk of potential foreign aggression.

To help deter this, in 2017 around 4,000 troops were deployed to Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Estonia. This deployment along the Baltic States and Poland makes up NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP).

Operation CABRIT is the codename for the UK’s deployment and contribution to NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.

As a founding member of NATO, the UK has played a key role, leading one of the four multinational battlegroups.

Here are three things you need to know:

1. What is NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence (eFP)?

In 2017, NATO enhanced its presence in the eastern part of the Alliance, with four multinational battlegroups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

These battlegroups, led by the UK, Canada, Germany and the United States as a framework, are multinational and combat-ready, demonstrating the strength of the transatlantic bond.

It is part of the biggest reinforcement of Alliance collective defence and European security in a generation.
2020’s Top Ten Stories: Airborne soldiers make history
By: Ministry Of Defence
Tags: Photo Essay, Military, United States, USA, UK

2020’s Top Ten Stories: Airborne soldiers make history

In at number 9 is UK and US paratroopers on Exercise Pegasus Eagle. As we countdown to 2021, we are taking a look at some of our most-read stories from the last year. Ministry of Defence Follow Dec 21, 2020 · 3 min read

Each day in the run-up to New Year’s Day we will be reposting our most-read stories by you from 2020.

In at number 10 was: 2020’s Top Ten Stories: Inside Strategic Command

In pictures: Airborne soldiers make history

Exercise Pegasus Eagle saw a C-130J Hercules from the US Air Force fly into RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for a week of joint training.

The exercise was all about developing the ability of British and American airborne forces. They are trained so they are ready to deploy on operations together and this training helped to mix and share resources.

US jumpmasters and RAF Parachute Jump Instructors agreed on common procedures. The soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade earned their US parachute wings by jumping under US canopies from US aircraft. In return, the US soldiers have earned British parachute wings jumping from RAF aircraft.

But this is the first time that the nationality of parachutes and aircraft have been mixed

Take a look at this historic moment in pictures📸
With the family he comes from, Sean Kernan has quite some shoes to fill.
By: Rebecca Sealfon
Tags: Military Family, Navy Seals, Freelancers, Military, Discipline

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