Getting the Old Idea Out

It has been said that the hardest thing about getting a new idea in, is getting the old idea out.   That is what is going on now in the US Army.  Two female Soldiers have successfully completed the most challenging course the Army has to offer – US Army Ranger School.  They are to be commended for their efforts.  They knew how difficult the course was going to be, but they volunteered to attend anyway and accepted the challenge.  They worked thru very difficult tasks and situations, and then successfully completed the course.  I am very proud of them.   I am disappointed, however,  that folks can’t (or won’t) accept the fact that they competed the course successfully.  There is way too much negative traffic on social media today.  Some folks allege that the US Army lowered their standards at Ranger School so that the female Soldiers could graduate.  I don’t buy

Dirty, Dull, and Dangerous Tasks

The Army sent me to MIT in 1985 to study robotics, and I have had a passion for that technology ever since.  Over the past 3 decades the technology continues to evolve at an amazing pace.  The question is whether or not we as a society are taking advantage of that technology.   My passion is to use robotic technology to remove human beings from dirty, dull and dangerous tasks.  From a military perspective, unmanned systems could be sent into harms way in place of the Soldier.  Many dangerous tasks, like ground surveillance, route clearance, and convoy operations could all be performed by unmanned systems.  If the system gets destroyed, it can be replaced.  A human life cannot be replaced.   From a civilian perspective, the same thing holds true.  The most pressing case is in law enforcement.  Let’s develop unmanned systems that allow police officers to “send in the robot” first….before exposing

Demanding but not Demeaning



Why is it that some folks come out of difficult / dangerous situations devastated, and others come out enriched?  I argue the difference is resiliency.  Spiritual, physical, emotional, financial resiliency.   Resiliency is defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.  It is not some abstract concept.  It is something that can be pursued, and obtained.   To be resilient, folks must have a belief in some greater good.  They must be assured that there is something out there that will help them thru difficult times.  That is a personal decision,  For me, I am a Christian.  I study the Bible everyday and believe what God’s Word tells me.  I ask God daily for the strength, courage and wisdom to do what He wants me to do that day.  Joshua 1:9 tells me “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will

Memorial Services
