LBD

Humor in Uniform Recruit Depot (Take 2)

We were maybe an hour before graduating Parris Island and being called Marines for the first time when a strange thing occurred. We were in platoon formation marching to the parade deck for the ceremony and the DI calls my platoon to a halt. He then puts us at ease and points out eye-candy walking … Continue reading Humor in Uniform Recruit Depot (Take 2) →

Saint Valentine’s Day Poem

Time to tweak this bad-boy. Just wanted to bring it to mind and tell you I wrote it on Valentine's Day after finishing a plate of baby-back ribs at Applebees, cold and alone on FEB 14. I asked the waitress for a piece of paper and pen because the poem sort of fell into my … Continue reading Saint Valentine’s Day Poem →

1st LAI Takes Friendly Fire

“Can you tell us how they describe the event? I have not read that book or read any accounts of that event outside official and classified military documents.” As promised, ST, here’s the account from: “Desert Storm: A Forgotten War”: RAS AL-KHAFJI AND OTHER MAJOR GROUND ACTIONS(29/30 JAN 1991) “The first attack occurred in the … Continue reading 1st LAI Takes Friendly Fire →

Preface: LtCol S.x MacTemplar -Riverine Counterdrug (smoove) Operator

Where to begin? It seems that war is just too big of a topic for Hollywood to handle in 90-110 minutes. Go figure. I know I can’t do it justice in 300-plus pages, either, but it will be more accurate than anything Hollywood can dish up. I suspect what people want from Hollywood is to … Continue reading Preface: LtCol S.x MacTemplar -Riverine Counterdrug (smoove) Operator →

Winning the Peace Ch. 1 (AKA: Not Nation-Building Ch. 96)

I’ve had opportunity to work overseas with many of Uncle Sam’s alphabet soup agencies (DEA, CIA, DOS, USAID, etc.) and have generally been underwhelmed by their lack of foreign language skills and understanding of the local culture. On the other hand they are filled with lot of really intelligent people with advanced degrees who speak … Continue reading Winning the Peace Ch. 1 (AKA: Not Nation-Building Ch. 96) →

Virga Joy (or the Adventures of El Colonel De Corona) – Redux

Written by Douglas Kimball Publisher Description Colin Campbell is developing the first black pepper plantation in the West Indies. His days are spent clearing jungle, planting and fighting vipers. His nights are spent playing jazz piano at a local bar and enjoying the company of the local ladies. He meets Alan Greene at a jazz … Continue reading Virga Joy (or the Adventures of El Colonel De Corona) – Redux →

Preface: LtCol S.x MacTemplar -Riverine Counterdrug (smoove) Operator

Preface: LtCol S.x MacTemplar -Shadow Warrior

Driving to Costa Rica on the Road Less Traveled

Although this isn’t exactly where it all began, before I was dodging and/or killing some of the most deadly snakes in the Western Hemisphere, I decided to drive rather than fly to Costa Rica. I mark the beginning of this adventure in the epicenter of the Redneck Riviera: Panama City, Florida, where I purchased a four-wheel-drive Nissan … Continue reading Driving to Costa Rica on the Road Less Traveled →