Author: Braxton Taylor
Those who study civilian-military relations talk frequently about the unequal dialogue between America’s civilian and uniformed leaders. Civilian leaders sit atop the chain of command and have the final word on defense policy and strategy matters. In return, they have the responsibility to respect—in the sense of listen closely to, not defer to—the military advice of those in uniform. Without this respect, the dialogue ceases to be a conversation and becomes a series of partisan orders.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s short-notice, no-explanation summoning of more than 800 general and flag officers from command positions around the world demonstrates a lack of…
As the Trump administration pushes to “aggressively adopt AI” in the military, there’s a recognition that some of the models may have protections or limitations that aren’t applicable in a military context. To be sure, some of these will need modification to suit the military’s mission. But there are many reasons that the military will want to have guardrails built in, for its own protection.Policymakers and AI labs should collaborate on how to adapt guardrails specifically for military uses. Some existing guardrails, like discouraging users from killing people, are inapplicable to military use where mission lethality is essential. But removing…
If you’re someone who likes to start your day with a workout, you have probably wondered if you should eat before hitting the gym. If you have ever experienced low blood sugar during a workout and felt nauseous, vomited or were dizzy, you may understand why fasting is not always an option. Some swear by fasted exercise, claiming it helps burn more fat, while others say fueling up is essential for peak performance. Both approaches have their place, but your decision should depend on the type and intensity of your workout. Remember, nutrition for exercise is not just about energy to do…
Mesa Tactical is releasing a new Reflex Sight Mount for the Benelli M2 Tactical shotgun. This new model is configured with the popular Aimpoint ACRO footprint. Engineered for durability and precision, this mount delivers fast, reliable target acquisition while maintaining absolute co-witness with factory ghost-ring sights. “Our new Aimpoint ACRO reflex sight mount for the Benelli M2 Tactical gives shooters the precision, ruggedness and co-witness functionality they demand—without adding bulk or complexity,” said Greg Friedman, COO of Mesa Tactical. “It’s everything our users expect—Made in the U.S. quality, lifetime warranty and real-world performance.” Mesa Tactical Reflex Sight Mount Features And…
Lawmakers have reintroduced legislation that would among other things allow noncitizen military servicemembers to apply for naturalization during basic training.The Veteran Service Recognition Act co-sponsored mostly by Democrats in the House of Representatives aims to establish a review process for those servicemembers who are in removal proceedings, as well as to provide an opportunity for noncitizen veterans who have been removed or ordered removed or who have not been convicted of a serious crime, to obtain legal permanent residence. House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Mark Takano, D-Calif., walks through the Hall of Columns at the Capitol as House Democratic chairs…
Pietta Firearms is known for its faithful reproductions of classic and black powder with historic 19th century connections to the American West, and it is once again offering the historic Le Mat reproduction revolver. Designed by Frenchman Jean Alexandre LeMat in New Orleans, the LeMat revolver is one of the most iconic revolver designs of the 19th century. The cap and ball LeMat revolver’s claim to fame is its double barrel configuration. The main cylinder has a capacity of 9 shots and spins around an independent smoothbore barrel that could be loaded with shot, effectively serving as a pistol sized…
Two Marine veterans killed seven people and wounded 13 others in separate mass shootings just hours apart in Michigan and North Carolina over the weekend. A possible motive still eludes investigators in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where at about 10:30 a.m. ET Sunday an attacker drove his pickup truck—with two American flags raised in the bed—into a Mormon church before opening fire with an assault rifle and setting a portion of the building on fire, Police Chief William Renye told reporters Sunday. The shooter was a 40-year-old former Marine sergeant who served from 2004 to 2008, with a year spent deployed to Iraq,…
So the student has worked hard with their defensive handgun to the point they can deliver relatively small groups on targets out to at least 25 yards. Now it is time to take those marksmanship skills and apply them to the business of gunfighting. Once the fight has engaged, or is about to engage, we never take our eyes off the threat. That means that the management of our pistol and getting it into fight mode has to be second nature. We are not only focused on the threat, but focused on the exact spot on the threat where we…
Southeast Ohio’s deer population is experiencing a serious epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) outbreak, forcing wildlife managers to consider adjusting hunting regulations before the state’s rifle season opens.EHD is a virus transmitted by biting flies such as no-see-ums. Deer killed by the disease are typically found near water after experiencing high fever and dehydration.Historically, the virus has been found in parts of the Southeast U.S., where whitetails typically have antibodies that limit the severity of EHD outbreaks. However, according to the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, “in recent years, this virus has been moving northward, potentially due to impacts of climate change.”…
00:00:01 Speaker 1: Welcome to Backwoods University, a place where we focus on wildlife, wild places and the people who dedicate their lives to conserving both. Big shout out to Onyx Hunt for their support of this podcast. I’m your host, Lake Pickle. On this episode, we’re going to start piecing together and understanding where grizzly bears fit into the modern landscape and get into some subjects of controversy, like their current placement on the endangered Species list. But we’re going to start all of this off by hearing a conversation with one of the most interesting human beings I…