Tactical Tangents

Who even are you? And why I don't carry as often as I once did.

You do honorable, important, and dangerous work in your profession, but that work also feeds into your social needs, and you've internalized and reinforced the attributes

The best way to clear a house—CQB for Operators and Noobs

From hostage rescue to burglary alarm calls, dynamic entries to slow and deliberate clearing, CQB and entry tactics have shifted over time—but the risks haven't gone away

The Algorithm Isn't the Boss-But It's With Us in the Briefing Room

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how information is gathered, analyzed, and acted upon in both policing and military operations, and even the private sector.

Think Like an Architect: Systems Thinking for Warfighters & Cops

In complex environments, effort alone doesn't equal results. Whether you're in uniform or behind a badge, you face the same reality: limited resources, adaptive adversari

We Are Watching You - License Plate Readers and Modern Surveillance

We dive into the real-world implications of living in a sensor-saturated society. From ALPR and private-sector camera networks to open-source data and pattern analysis, m

Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?

  Police occupy an uneasy space between the government and the governed—simultaneously a symbol of state power and a human presence in people's daily lives. Sometimes we

Don't stand in front of cars! And other Pet Peeves

Mike explores a list of pitfalls in law enforcement through the lens of critical thinking and best practices. Among the list are things related to balancing officer safet

National Security Strategy Review

You don't fight in a vacuum—and neither do police officers, soldiers, or federal agents. In this episode, Jim analyzes the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy

The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword… sometimes

Everyone in a fight has their side of the story. That story is a crafted message that can keep someone in the fight, convince them to stop fighting, and convince bystande

Closing the Gaps: Building Competence in High Performing-Teams

Gaps in knowledge and performance happen naturally, even in high-performing teams. In this episode, Mike and Jim explore why blind spots develop despite good training, sm

Do You Trust Me? Credibility is Currency

Most of us see ourselves as leaders, but a whole lot goes into "Leadership."  One of the most vital aspects of persuasion is the credibility and trust people see in you.

Protecting your Parents: Fraud and Scams

  Even the best of us get played from time to time. From an Air Force pilot duped into buying thousands in Sephora gift cards, to clever banking and family scams that nea

To Chase or Not to Chase: Are the Risks of a Pursuit Worth It?

How do you stop a car that doesn't want to stop? If you see a rabbit should you chase the rabbit?   We talk about safety and statistics, what factors to weigh the risk ve

"Don't drop the airplane to fly the radio": Managing Bandwidth

  How do you prioritize your attention in a world full of distractions and competing priorities? Most people understand triage as a concept, but are you ready to sort wou

When the US invaded Panama: Operation JUST CAUSE and the War on Drugs

 The 1989 invasion of Panama was a quick and violent moment in the drug war. We revisit why we went and how it went down. The hung for Manuel Noriega, the messy Army Rang

So You Wanna Be an Air Force Pilot (…or Not?)

Thinking about joining the Air Force? In this episode, we dig into the real questions behind the glossy recruiting pitch: commissioning sources, officer vs. enlisted life

Careers in Law Enforcement - Worth It?

Law Enforcement offers a wide range of career paths—but finding the right fit takes more than just filling out an application. In this episode, Jim interviews Officer Mik

Stay in Your Lane? Maybe Not.

When is it right to stick to your role—and when do you need to step up and act, even outside your formal job description? Mike and Jim tackle the age-old advice to "st

Feeding the Machine: Range Nutrition for Tactical Athletes

You train like a pro, shoot like a pro—so why fuel like a rookie? Mike and Jim break down practical, no-BS nutrition tips for high-performance days at the range or on dut

Teaching the Enemy: Lessons from The Dragons and the Snakes

Jim and Mike dig into David Kilcullen's The Dragons and the Snakes to explore how modern adversaries—from rogue states to criminal networks—are adapting faster than ever