Our Member's Blog's and BB's to Date...

[SteveMetz]

Just figured I'd poke at this one - there's actually a rule somewhere in the US Code saying that you have to have been off active duty for 10 years before you can become SECDEF.

No idea how reserve service is counted.

Not only that, but I don't think we'll ever see a retired flag officer as SECDEF. It just raises too many hackles in Congress about civilian control of the military.

[Penta]

What about a reserve/retired O6?

More relevantly to the topic. I am the new moderator behind the TIME (must remember to cap that, must remember to cap that...) Opinion Leaders blog. The point is to get people on the panels to keep coming back so they take the surveys - an online community usually gets you better response rates (and higher-quality data) than a simple online panel.

(And since I'm off the clock...Unfortunately, my predecessor and immediate supervisor didn't moderate the thing, really, except for foul language. He didn't post regularly, either. Thus, the level of bile is high, and the atmosphere is poisonous. I'm wondering whether I should just forget trying to make it a place for thoughtful, intelligent debate. Those above me could care less, but this is something of "pride of workmanship" for me.)

[SteveMetz]

What about a reserve/retired O6?

More relevantly to the topic. I am the new moderator behind the TIME (must remember to cap that, must remember to cap that...) Opinion Leaders blog. The point is to get people on the panels to keep coming back so they take the surveys - an online community usually gets you better response rates (and higher-quality data) than a simple online panel.

(And since I'm off the clock...Unfortunately, my predecessor and immediate supervisor didn't moderate the thing, really, except for foul language. He didn't post regularly, either. Thus, the level of bile is high, and the atmosphere is poisonous. I'm wondering whether I should just forget trying to make it a place for thoughtful, intelligent debate. Those above me could care less, but this is something of "pride of workmanship" for me.)

My suspicion is that would matter less. No real reason for it though. There was quite a bit of controversy when retired BG Thomas White became SECARMY. As it turned out, he was pretty darned good.

[Norfolk]

Moved to its own site (from Chinese Defence Today Forum - the old one's still there and will continue to be updated) and reworked with a very new look and some new features; now at The Norfolk Blog.

[Ironduke]

Founder and administrator of the World Affairs Board (http://www.worldaffairsboard.com).

I think there's a small degree of overlap between the memberships here and there.

[jkm_101_fso]

Founder and administrator of the World Affairs Board (http://www.worldaffairsboard.com).

I think there's a small degree of overlap between the memberships here and there.

Hey man, welcome to SWC! There are a few of us over here. Shamus is on board now. Shek and S-2 are both here, as well.

You will enjoy it. Feel free to jump in...

-Osage18 (WAB)

[Cavguy]

Against my better judgment, I accepted a request to guestblog over at ATTACKERMAN this week while he's on vacation. Wish me luck.

[slapout9]

Against my better judgment, I accepted a request to guestblog over at ATTACKERMAN this week while he's on vacation. Wish me luck.

Punk Rock and Real Talk is part of their banner headline, cowa bunga dude, good luck.

[Cavguy]

Punk Rock and Real Talk is part of their banner headline, cowa bunga dude, good luck.

Spencer Ackerman reports national security for the Washington Independent, he's done a ten part series on COIN, one of which he did on my center. We met and have stayed in contact.

He's a little edgy, but for that reason he actually has a pretty well followed national security blog.

As my first post suggests, that I even have the option is a big change for the Army.

[BayonetBrant]

I occasionally accidentally say something intelligent over at my own http://strayvoltage.blogspot.com

I try not to make it a habit.

[BayonetBrant]

http://www.grognews.com

we've got a new site up and running to mix and match current defense/security news with some (forthcoming) news about how gaming relates to the current events. We've also got a variety of RSS feeds there to help keep people in the know (including SWJ, for our readers there who don't read over here).


We are not intending to be a game-news site, where we break headlines about upcming releases, or playtests, etc. But rather we want to discuss what games might help folks understand current events and play through them, while focusing on the news, and analysis.


Please give us a look and offer some feedback... This is a pretty new venture for us, so we're happy with comments

[BayonetBrant]

FWIW - if anyone wants a bit of IITSEC flavor, we've got a few pics/comments over at www.grognews.com

Picture quality isn't great - and the video was shot sideways - but I was working with my cell phone b/c I was told that 'real cameras' were limited to members of the press... and then saw a few thousands of them wandering around after I'd left mine at home.

[BayonetBrant]

http://www.grognews.com

we've got a new site up and running to mix and match current defense/security news with some (forthcoming) news about how gaming relates to the current events. We've also got a variety of RSS feeds there to help keep people in the know (including SWJ, for our readers there who don't read over here).

A low-key relaunch includes a new base URL...

http://grognews.blogspot.com

[Schmedlap]

This is creating a big buzz in the blogosphere...

http://securitycrank.wordpress.com/

[BayonetBrant]

A low-key relaunch includes a new base URL...
http://grognews.blogspot.com

Just wanted to point out that noted professional wargamer/analyst Jon Compton (former editor of F&M) will be offering occasional thoughts and rants over at GrogNews. His first post (Just What are Wargames Good For?) is up today!

[BayonetBrant]

A low-key relaunch includes a new base URL...

http://grognews.blogspot.com

We're slowly revamping the features we've got on GrogNews. A new one that might interest people here is a COA Analysis we do on Wednesdays with the intention of some reader participation. We throw out 4 different COAs (admittedly not thoroughly developed) and ask the readers for some participation in discussing which ones they think might come to pass, and how, and what could be done to affect them. We also welcome comments on how wrong they might turn out to be. And you can comment w/o having to register for anything first (it means I have to chase spammers around a bit more, but less inconvenient for the readers)

An example COA Analysis from the past few weeks.

[sullygoarmy]

No promises on saying anything intellectually stimulating but I try to get a couple of Instruments of National Power issues posted here every week:

http://pyrenesperch.blogspot.com/