Ian TB

The Right Lessons Lead to the Stand-In Force While the grueling ground-pounding across the vast steppes that stretch across much of Ukraine have captivated both the public and most military analysts, some of the most important tactical and operational lessons over the last few years have been in littoral zones, or those stretches of water within reach of the shore. From the Black Sea to the Red Sea, we have seen the intersection of desperation and determination fuel innovation and adaptation. As a team of Marine writers pointed out in these very pages in early 2024, in both of theaters, the Ukrainian armed forces and the Houthis have proven the indispensability of stand-off drone and missile strikes against larger foes. Other key insights include the strategic leverage of denial and disruption over control, the power of asymmetric tactics to impose costs on superior forces, the value of distributed operations with minimal signatures, and the psychological impact of persistence and unpredictability. https://warontherocks.com/2024/01/trends-in-maritime-challenges-indicate-force-design-2030-is-the-proper-path/

That team of Marine writers sounds like really cool dudes.

Ice cold.

I know it’s the preseason. I know. But I like what I’m seeing from Vrabel’s #NEPats
-protection in the pocket
-defense not giving up big plays
-special teams on lock
-an offense that’s not utterly anemic

Good start.

a mascot in a patriots uniform with the number 1 on it ALT: a mascot in a patriots uniform with the number 1 on it

For any new followers, this is your only warning: @patriots.bsky.social football has started, and you are going to see a different side of me.

Oh HELL YEAH #ForeverNE #Pats #Patriots

We had it so good for so long!

Know what else you can do this weekend? Pre-order my forthcoming book from Marine Corps University Press—the “definitive Boyd” with full transcripts of all known recordings of his briefings. Email mcu_press@usmcu.edu to reserve yours! #USMC #Marines #PME

Use the weekend to catch up on Marine Pulse— @warontherocks.bsky.social members can listen to my discussion w/ CDR Aaron Kleinman on the role of the 21st century chaplain:

warontherocks.com/episode/mari...

The Marine Corps Americans Want Can’t Be Derailed by a Fake Crisis - War on the Rocks The Marine Corps relies on a sense of crisis to promote and prevent change more than any other institution I’ve come across. As one well-known Marine

Preach.

The Marine Corps Americans Want Can’t Be Derailed by a Fake Crisis - War on the Rocks The Marine Corps relies on a sense of crisis to promote and prevent change more than any other institution I’ve come across. As one well-known Marine

It may be the best pieces on the once & future #USMC are written by “Ryans”—Ryan Pallas’ excellent recent @warontherocks.bsky.social article is followed by this @ryanevans.bsky.social banger on the need for change despite a small but vocal (and petulant) resistance

warontherocks.com/2025/08/the-...

The best part is you don’t have to. It’s free from marine corps university press!

For those not familiar w/ the project: the goal this is the “definitive Boyd,” publishing Boyd in his own words to the extent that recordings of him allow. Agree or disagree w/ him after that; but no more excuses for not knowing what Boyd actually said about something:

Stop scrolling and post two characters who bring you joy and happiness

Thanks! Long time coming.

Yeah, took me long enough. Good thing all of Boyd is archived, if he was still making new content I’d never have gotten this done.

Hey, that second Boyd book I’ve been talking about for what probably feels like forever? It’s officially close! Email Marine Corps University Press at mcu_press@usmcu.edu for details and to pre-reserve your copy!

Travel’s keep me busy but I’ll be doing more quick looks at my #ManeuverWarfare #cardgame #wargame in the coming days as it gets ready to leave the factory. ICYMI #1–game overview:
#USMC #Marines #wargaming @thedietzfoundation.bsky.social

No, he obviously occupied a secondary circle of subordinate, lesser intellects, doing mundane things like designing airplanes.

#FantasticFour — doesn’t quite move the needle toward an Avengers movie the way Phase 1 did, but is certainly the best translation of those characters—and Galactus—onto the big screen. Also lots of fun nods to the FF’s early slate of villains.

Well, in a few months they can read my next book on Boyd and see all the things Boyd actually said about all the things.

The real test is getting @sebastianbae.bsky.social to #Origins…

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YouTube video by Ian Brown Maneuver Warfare Quick Hit 3: Domain Laydown

#ManeuverWarfare quick hit—a look at initial battlefield set-up with semi-random terrain selection and environmental variables: #USMC #Marines @thedietzfoundation.bsky.social

youtu.be/WNG_QVhMDgg?...

Took a LOT of tries but we finally beat the last mission of #Mandalorian: Clan of Two. Which is good cuz this was the last chance for our youngest to game with his eldest before the latter leaves for college 😭 #wargaming

YouTube video by Ian Brown Maneuver Warfare Quick Hit 3: Domain Laydown

This #ManeuverWarfare quick hit is…less quick, so it’s on #YouTube. It explains how the domain laydown set-up goes at the beginning of the game:
#USMC #Marines #wargaming @thedietzfoundation.bsky.social

youtu.be/WNG_QVhMDgg?...

Check out the latest episode of Marine Pulse for @warontherocks.bsky.social members—I talk with CDR Aaron Kleinman about the role of the chaplain in the 21st century:

warontherocks.com/episode/mari...

Day 2 of the Connections #Wargaming Conference is done, so it’s time to game. Let’s see if the Germans can run a tighter defense than yesterday: