His name was Commandant Big. It’s almost too perfect a name for a rebel leader. I had read about him in cable traffic while serving as a case officer in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Commandant Big was one of the powerful Forces Nouvelles “comzones” (zone commanders) of Zone 3, a territory that included the rebel-held …
Honor is a tricky sentiment. It’s not as clear cut as the movies or novels often portray. Over the course of my life, there have been times when I felt that I fell short of being honorable. I have regrets over things I did or did not do. There exists a complicity amongst the living, as …
“Take advantage of it now, while you are young, and suffer all you can, because these things don’t last your whole life.” ― Gabriel García Márquez, Love in the Time of Cholera It was unlike any GRT Reunion that had ever taken place before. In the weeks leading up to it, we wondered how it would …
Our home is a little more lived in these days. This is not a complaint, merely a statement of fact. It seems like we are in a constant state of running the dishwasher, picking up toys, and doing laundry even though it seems like my boys hardly even wear clothing anymore. There’s a bit of …
The first time I ever witnessed the widespread wearing of face masks outside of a medical facility coincided with my first trip to Asia. Last year I went to Japan to meet with members of the Tokyo ruck club and facilitate several GORUCK events. I invited my mom to accompany me to the place where …
If you’re stuck in what feels like the “eternal spring break” or the movie Groundhog Day, you’re not alone. No one could’ve predicted the wake of COVID-19, but if you’re choosing (or being forced to choose) social distancing like many others, we can only hope for the best and know that we’re doing our part. …
