Some people serve. Others analyze. Both are essential. One is just harder on the knees.
Make no mistake: I have never been to war. My knee saw to that. However, let me tell you something about warfare that the people who actually fight it might not understand, because they’re too busy being there to see the bigger picture.
I’ve studied this extensively. As a result, I wake at 0430 every morning not because I have to, but because warriors do. I’ve read Sun Tzu. Additionally, I’ve read Clausewitz. I’ve also read the back covers of books by Navy SEALs. Therefore, the knowledge I’ve accumulated, if converted into physical combat experience, would be significant.
The Armchair General Has Perspective
You know what actual combat veterans lack? Distance. They’re caught in the fog of war. Meanwhile, I’m above the fog. Consequently, I can see the whole battlefield from my home office in a suburb I’d rather not name for operational security reasons.
Some people think armchair general is an insult. In contrast, I think it’s a job description. Someone has to sit in the armchair. Furthermore, someone has to think the hard thoughts while maintaining excellent posture. That someone is me.
My Qualifications Are Unconventional But Valid
Yes, I dropped out of ROTC. The official reason was my knee. Similarly, the unofficial reason was also my knee. But let me ask you this: does the knee determine the warrior, or does the warrior determine the knee? I’ve thought about that for sixteen years. Although I still don’t know the answer, I’m leaning toward door number two.
My CrossFit scores are excellent. In addition, my resting heart rate is that of an athlete. I own tactical gear that I wear around the house sometimes, not for any particular reason, just to stay sharp. When I played paintball—which I did once in 2019—I performed with distinction. Specifically, I finished third place out of eight, two of whom were children.
The Enemy Is Real
People ask me: “Tucker, what qualifies you to opine on national security?” In response, I ask them: “What qualifies the enemy to threaten us?” They don’t have an answer. Neither does the enemy. That’s how threats work.
I see what’s happening in the world. Moreover, I track it closely. I have alerts set up—multiple alerts. My phone buzzes with news of conflicts I will never be near, and consequently, I analyze each one with the intensity of someone who might someday be asked his opinion at a dinner party. As I’ve written before, our adversaries are always watching.
In Conclusion
There are warriors who fight. There are also warriors who think about fighting. And finally, there are warriors who write about thinking about fighting while their German Shepherd, Patton, sleeps nearby. All are valid.
I may never see combat. My knee, which is fine for CrossFit, may never be tested under fire. Nevertheless, in the war of ideas, in the battle for strategic clarity, I am on the front lines.
Semper Paratus. That’s Coast Guard, I think. Regardless, the sentiment is universal.
Stay dangerous, friends. I know I will. From here. In my office. Watching. Always watching.
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