Unsung Heroes:

Why Every Effort Counts in the Fight for Our Nation

“The toughest battles are fought at the tactical level, where every mission counts towards the larger victory.”

I wanted to provide some perspective, not because I claim to know everything or that I'm the only one who understands this dynamic, but simply to share my thoughts. I do, however, have a unique perspective.

As an EOD technician working with tactical elements, I had to blend in and learn tactics rapidly since each platoon operates differently in terms of tactics, techniques, procedures, and standard operating procedures.

This includes how they stack up, conduct breaches, and approach objectives. These methods vary from unit to unit and platoon to platoon. However, some fundamentals remain constant, such as dealing with wounded personnel and IEDs.

For example, although the approach to treating the wounded may vary depending on the mission, core fundamentals remain the same. If you get wounded, you must administer first aid to yourself, especially in the middle of a firefight, because you cannot expect your teammates to risk their lives to help you during active combat.

Self-aid is crucial for survival: stop the bleeding, get your weapon back into action, and return fire at all costs. Next is buddy aid—the person closest to you will assist if and when it's appropriate. Finally, corpsman aid comes after the firefight has been subdued.

“The hardest aspect of warfare in any domain is the tactical missions required to win battles. Winning battles leads to winning campaigns, and winning campaigns leads to winning wars.”

The same principles apply to an IED threat. If an IED is encountered during a firefight, self-aid involves moving away from the IED and getting to cover. Buddy aid includes communicating the IED's location to your team. The EOD technician (corpsman aid) handles the IED once the firefight has been subdued.

I mention this to illustrate parallel concepts. How one concept, like combat first aid, can apply to dealing with an IED during combat operations. This is a unique skill that EOD techs, especially those supporting tactical teams, use frequently.

Why am I telling you this? Because everything I've written about regarding local action is based on parallel concepts. I apply military-style strategies to local civic action.

For example, using center of gravity analysis involves evaluating your local community environment and government, assessing critical requirements and critical capabilities, gathering key information, identifying critical vulnerabilities, identifying and refining problems, understanding the end state of the local government and community, creating decisive points (where decisions need to be made), establishing goals, courses of action, and feedback loops. These concepts are effective, proven over time, and, most importantly from a citizen's perspective, they are underutilized. This creates a political and civic tactical advantage.

The only way is the military, right? Perhaps that's what's implied. I can't say for certain, but it seems to fit the parallel concept I'm discussing.

Now, let me bring up something I've observed in our community. Some may agree, others may not, but I'm sharing my perspective—take it or leave it.

Another parallel concept that fits quite elegantly is the levels of warfare. We have three levels: strategic, operational, and tactical. Similarly, there are three levels of government: national (parallel to strategic), state (parallel to operational), and local (parallel to tactical). The operational level of warfare bridges the gap between strategy and tactics, just as state representatives bridge the gap between local and national government.

Many of us are focused on the national or strategic level of this "war." While it's important to be aware of the national level, our local or tactical actions can and should support the national strategy. In other words, your local actions should contribute to the strategic level through the state level.

“Campaigns are won through a series of hard-fought battles, each driven by precise tactical actions.”

We often focus on Trump, and while that's necessary to some extent, over-focusing on the strategy can prevent us from performing the actions needed to support that strategy. Without local tactical efforts, we won't achieve national strategic goals.

This is the essence of what General Flynn means when he says, "Local action creates national impact." I want to emphasize that local action is essential for national impact; without it, national impact cannot and will not happen.

“In warfare, the smallest tactical success can be the first step towards a strategic triumph.”

Let me give you an example. Imagine we're in kinetic warfare with strategic generals creating brilliant strategies at the national (strategic) level. At the operational level, everything is prepared to link tactical operations to these strategies.

Now, if the tactical forces—the ones doing the fighting—just sat on their bases, expecting the national level to save the day and win the war, does that make sense to you? This is a parallel concept that many may not see, but it's crucial to understand. We need to recognize that local actions are the foundation for achieving national goals.

“Local action is required for a profound national impact.”

I understand that many feel their efforts are futile, but I assure you they are not. I can relate to this feeling from my experience conducting combat operations. During my last deployment, we engaged in combat operations six or seven days a week. We would engage the enemy, capture some bad guys, and never see them again, repeating the cycle over and over. Meanwhile, people were getting injured and wounded, making it feel like our efforts were useless.

Throughout my deployment I noticed a middle-aged man in our Command Operations Center. He had long black hair and a long beard, reminding me of Jesus. He was always quiet, never saying a word, but he was there every day for every mission planning session.

One day In 2006 while eating chow on Camp Marc Lee, I was expressing my frustration to my EOD partner about feeling like our efforts were in vain. After finishing my meal and getting ready to leave, the man, whom I'll call Jesus, said, "Hey bro, I want to show you something."

He took me to his office, where I saw three walls covered in human intel maps. These maps had bubbles connected by lines to other bubbles, representing over 1,000 individuals. He spent the next hour and a half walking me through our entire deployment. Mission by mission.

“You remember this mission? We captured these guys, which lead to them.” Jesus said. As he pointed individuals out on the map.

He pointed out individuals, missions, and connections, showing how each effort led to significant outcomes. I was astonished and amazed.

This experience taught me that our efforts were absolutely essential. Now, imagine if we all put in as much effort as we could. There are so many ways to get involved, and the impact can be tremendous.

It's not just about securing a victory for President Trump; it's about saving our nation. As brilliant and motivated as Trump is, it's impossible for him to do it alone. From a levels of warfare perspective, Trump can devise the most brilliant strategies, but he needs us on the ground to make those strategies work.

So, keep your heads up and stay in the fight. Focus on your local strategy and ensure it aligns with the national strategy. I can assure you, Trump will need us in the voting booth, and he will need us when he is president.

“My shield is yours, and yours mine.”

SpartanAltsobaPatriot

17th SOG