Good Morning Monday

The last few weekends I have been busy preparing the house for soon-to-be child #3 (a boy) while also prepping oldest #1 for college. Yeah, I may end up the dude carrying one child in the sling while looking at colleges with another. Just another American family, and all...

That leaves the cupboard for my own blog content contributions fairly empty on Monday, so this week I thought I'd highlight another group blog that I think has been putting out great content lately - Gunpowder and Lead. Run by Diane Wueger (who is too smart for me to adequately quantify it in a paragraph), the sites content now features an interesting mix of authors that hit on subjects both timely and relevant to national security interests of this audience. A few recent posts worth a look provide a few examples.

Useful Idiots by Skylar Gerrond looks at the details in the affidavit not really being discussed by news organizations for the model airplane bomber. Clever and intelligent work, that.

Next we have a pair of articles by Jonathan Rue on the New America Foundation report Whither Command of the Commons? Choosing Security Over Control (PDF). I know many of you are already discussing this report in private, and yep - we are discussing this report among the bloggers here as well. Lots worth discussing.

The person who highlighted this report to me on when it was released was Jonathan Rue, another author at Gunpowder and Lead, who has two articles Strategy, Math. Whatever. and Strategy, Geometry. Whatever. looking at this report. Good stuff, and a good starting place for discussion of this latest attempt to frame a strategic argument in the context of DoD budgets.

Other All-Star authors at Gunpowder and Lead include Caitlin Fitzgerald, who many of us know from her ridiculously intelligent Clausewitz for Kids series that is basically On War illustrated for children; and Daveed Gartenstein-Ross who used to write for the once widely read Counterterrorism blog, and recently published his book Bin Laden's Legacy: Why We're Still Losing the War on Terror (see his recent interview with Abu Muqawama at CNAS here).

While not a maritime centric blog by any measurement, certainly a blog with quality content I have found myself reading almost daily lately (and a newest addition to this blogs blogroll).

The Week Ahead

Lots of topics likely to be discussed this week including the recent announcement that Russia intends to send an aircraft carrier battlegroup to the eastern Mediterranean Sea as tensions there between Turkey, Israel, and Cyprus heat up, a few HASC hearings that may get very interesting, and as Secretary Panetta travels to Europe I look forward to how he addresses the Europeans since last time a Secretary of Defense gave a speech in Europe - Secretary Gates blasted them with criticism.

Disqus Problems Solved

For those who have emailed, I believe I have solved the problems with the comments being deleted. Let me know via email whenever you see a problem and I'll do what I can to correct it.

9/11

Daunting Question

Well, the compressed first course at National War College has come to a close. In just a few short weeks, we have heard from the EUCOM Commander, the Secretaries of State and Defense, several former ambassadors, and a variety of faculty and guest lecturers. It has been something of a whirlwind, but has given me much to think about.

Unfortunately, the busyness also allowed me to avoid addressing a common challenge to new authors: What to write about? Taking the third item of Admiral Stavridis' advice, "Read, Think, Write", here I go: I plan to start a broader discussion of the Coast Guard role beyond American shores with two rhetorical questions at the bottom of the post. Before I get to those, I will explain my concern.

I believe that the public has little awareness of the work of the Coast Guard beyond our shores, nor that the Coast Guard, analysts, bloggers, pundits, etc (I include myself in this grouping) do a very effective job of changing that. In the looming fiscal tightening, questions of value and return on investment should rightly be asked. Those who see value in various missions of the Coast Guard, as well as the Coast Guard itself, have a responsibility to make that value, tangible and intangible, known; not to overstate or exaggerate the case, but to get the case out there. It strikes me that we all talk to each other, in various forums, but rarely is the point made to the broader public.

Limited public awareness of what Coast Guard ships, aircraft, and people do worldwide undermines the competitiveness of the capital projects that enable those missions. I suspect that, for ID readers, this is an easy case, and that I will even receive some suggestions on how to improve my points. My concern, however, is that in agreeing with each other (at least to some extent), we have neglected to tell anyone else.

So now to my rhetorical question, followed by a challenge to us all:

In the foreign policy context, How is the Coast Guard an instrument of national power?

The challenge question to all of you who believe you have an answer to the first (including me): What can we do to better pass that word to the broader public?

I leave both of these as open questions until my next post, which should be two weeks or so. Please share your thoughts on this point by comments (preferred) or e-mail.

The views expressed herein are those of the blogger and are not to be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Commandant or of the U. S. Coast Guard. Nor should they be construed as official or reflecting the views of the National War College, National Defense University, or the Department of Defense.

Two Friday Thoughts

Meet Senator John Cornyn. Now read this (PDF). Shots.Fired.Ash.Carter. That is.... remarkable.

Bill Sweetman has written about it here, and in that article he also links to the Bob Work memo mentioned earlier today (PDF).

Did you hear about the new Navy Facebook game? It is mentioned and being heavily criticized at CDR Salamanders, although IMO that link looks like a heavily slanted jab at the Navy made either in ignorance or with intent to insult. I do not know why he didn't explain it or why he implied the wrong target audience.

Believe it or not, this Facebook game is remarkably smart, and depending upon mileage - brilliant. I have checked my Facebook every day this week - and can confirm for CHINFO it did work as intended from my POV. Most folks don't get it at all, which IMO that is one more reason it was very smart.

This "Capture the Flag" game was super savvy social media marketing stuff that to most of this audience probably looks like a big waste of time. I am very curious what the Navy Information folks think of the effort and if they were able to measure results, so I'll wait until after Hurricane Irene to get some background on their impression and explain for those who think this is just a silly Facebook game.

Denny you have some very smart and clever sailors.

Notes and Links

- I've fixed the links in the Daily Read section - removed and added a few. I've decided against changing the ads, so no new ads. Yeah I'm not going to get rich with that approach, but I'm not blogging for the money either.

- I missed the SASC nomination hearings today, but this observation from Capital Alpha Partners, LLC as part of their overall analysis on the Senate hearings is noteworthy.

Witnesses were asked several times about what happens if Pakistan shuts off the supply routes that the U.S. uses to support operations in Afghanistan. Gen. Fraser stated that 35% of supply for Afghanistan comes by ground through Pakistan. Since the question was asked, there must be legitimate concern.

How many heavy lift aircraft would be needed to create an air bridge to Afghanistan in order to deliver 35% of the military's daily war supply in Afghanistan if something like this happens? The political ramifications of such an event occurring would not be trivial, because I'm not quite sure how Americans would react if suddenly 100,000+ American soldiers and Marines suddenly lost 35% of their lines of communication in a land locked country in Asia.

- Carl Pines post titled A Woman For All Reasons is interesting. Admittedly I added GrEaT sAtAn"S gIrLfRiEnD to the ole RSS after this May article, and have followed ever since. What kindof disturbs me is that I can actually read the language there without an interpreter. She's sharp, but she's young. She's also starting to talk - which suggests study - the merits of seapower. Once her delusion balloon on the merits of COIN busts into a fireball of disappointment, we might have a winner. Until then I'll still keep reading.

- Have you heard the one about China and ASEAN agreeing on behavior ‘guidelines’ for settling disputes on the South China Sea? Call me a skeptic. Rory Medcalf has a different take than mine, and is worth reading. I think ASEAN is an economic body trying to punch above it's weight class, and the EU has proven that doesn't work well. Something tells me China won't be impressed.

- Tom Ricks is keeping score on the number of Navy COs fired, now up to 15. I agree completely with his comment: "I do admire the sea service for continuing its tradition of accountability, and for being public about it." Amen.

- CDR Salamander had one take on the recent report regarding the performance of the MQ-8B Fire Scout, and the Navy apparently has a different take. I think they are both right, and as a matter of fact the winner here is all of us for finally seeing some transparency regarding a NAVSEA program. If NAVSEA isn't stupid, and that's a big IF, NAVSEA will use the MQ-8B program as a test of more transparency by NAVSEA and learn how to discuss important programs in the context of development evolution. Like I said last month, I am very pleased to see that field testing the Fire Scout included putting the system in a position where it could be shot down.

The Silent Service Finds a Voice

"Let us dare to read, think, speak and write." — John Adams - 1765

And for COMSUBFOR - Blog.

The first post is discussion "Design For Undersea Warfare," and according to Bubblehead, the reviews so far are good. Things might get interesting if the Silent Service learns how to talk about themselves in public. At minimum I have to give VADM Richardson credit - he's going to give it a shot.

Defence IQ: Top 10 Defence Blogs 2011

Information Dissemination has been voted one of Defence IQ’s Top Defence Blogs of 2011 by Defence IQ readers. You can read a write-up at this link of the top ten blogs chosen by Defence IQ readers. Other blogs making the cut include Danger Room, Abu Muqawama, Ares Blog, Small Wars Journal, Kings of War, Michael Yon, War is Boring, The Best Defense, and RAF Airman’s Blog. Congratulations to everyone!

You know they actually read the blog when they write us up like this.

Information Dissemination defines itself as the ‘intersection of maritime strategy and strategic communications’. Driven by a handful of passionate contributors, you’ll be hard pressed to find more intelligent, opinionated, and occasionally angry, analysis on piracy, naval developments and maritime strategy. Definitely worth adding to your bookmarks.

For the record, I'm the "angry" while the rest of the fantastic group of contributors here on ID make up the "intelligent" contributions being praised. Thank you to Feng, Bryan McGrath, Robert Farley, GvG, Chris Rawley, Primoris Era, and other unnamed past and present contributors and guest authors.

And yep - drinks are on me, all you have to do is come to Albany and look me up! Hopefully that condition will keep the offer affordable.

Site Stuff

I tried out the mobile viewing settings for the site, and wasn't very pleased. Part of it has to do with problems regarding the comments in the mobile settings, which I can probably fix if I make an effort to go through the code. The other part is I like accessing the links I have on my own site from my own phone. I use a Droid phone, and for the most part it looked OK but needs some tweaks.

For those of you who tried it, I would appreciate feedback here. I am getting a lot of traffic these days and a lot of interest in terms of advertising. I'm giving serious consideration to exploring my options there, and would appreciate feedback on that subject if you have any thoughts. This blog site not have a revenue problem because comment is free around here, but I am always open to audience input on these issues (as long as you respect the fact I am simply farming for ideas and advice rather than seeking instructions).

If there are any specific annoyances related to the site, please leave comments in this thread. I am going to actually try to make an effort to clean stuff up.

Articles of Interest

There are so many articles I am reading and thinking about, I'm running a much needed link dump. Good stuff out there right now.

Sea-based IEDs Make Debut Off Libyan Coast by Nicholas Fiorenza

Libya Was Target of Sub, Ship and Air-Launched Cyber and Electronic Attacks by David A. Fulghum

Chief of Naval Operations Upbeat on Unmanned Systems by Grace Jean

Shipyard Pursuing Cost-Cutting Measures For Next-Generation Ballistic Missile Submarine by Grace Jean

Small U.S. Boatyards Take on Competitive Export Market by Stew Magnuson

Navy’s Shipbuilding Challenges Loom Large in the 2020s by Grace Jean

East/West Divide Grows In the International Navy Shipbuilding Business by Stew Magnuson

Chinese Carrier Needs Submarine Escorts by David Axe

When Maps Mislead by James R. Holmes

America’s Indian Rebuff by Trefor Moss

U.S. Navy in Review by Scott C. Truver and Robert Holzer

U.S. Marine Corps in Review by Lieutenant Colonel John C. Berry Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)

U.S. Coast Guard in Review by Joe DiRenzo III and Chris Doane

Worth a Mention

I was pleasantly surprised when this guy followed me on Twitter, but only because I was pleasantly surprised to see he had a blog.

Welcome to the internet sir.

Please Vote Navy

Yes. I have heard all the punchlines and jokes regarding what a contest on the internet is... but I am going to ask anyway.

Please, hit this link and vote in is this little popularity contest going on at the milbloggers website. You can do it for me, or for yourself if you want, but to be honest...

We need to do it for the folks in the Navy. It has been suggested I need to recommend you vote for the USNI Blog. I would recommend exactly that, but honestly, and I say this as a writer for the USNI blog - it isn't important whether USNI Blog wins or not.

What really matters here is that the Navy category gets an enormous number of votes, and the only way that happens in this tiny field of blogs is if this community goes all in. These are the choices, and based on frequency I think USNI Blog wins going away, but to each their own.

Navy Live - The official Navy blog. I read it because I know many of you don't. Yeah, one would think that an organization with a budget the size of the US Navy - never mind an organization with its own media shop - could produce something interesting more than 2-3 times a week.

The Sand Docs - The story of a Navy Forward Surgical Team in Afghanistan. I never even knew that blog existed before today.

Surfing Surgeon Stuck in the Sand - I'm guessing the name implies the context? Again, first time I saw this blog was today. Clearly Navy Medicine needs their own private blog directory.

US Fleet Forces Command Blog - Ready Fleet...Global Reach. Now we are talking, Admiral Harvey's Blog is fantastic. I've still never met Admiral Harvey, and he is one of only two Admirals in the Navy I believe I would really enjoy meeting (Pandolfe being #2).

USNI Blog - of the blogs mentioned, this one is updated most frequently and when I'm not busy fighting the Board of Directors - I like to think I contribute useful content there.

OK so clearly milbloggers is a military.com Army centric community focused on people centric content and issues. Nothing wrong with that. If 100 of the minimum 15,000 people who will visit this blog this week even knew about milbloggers having a voting contest like this before I discuss it in this post - I'd be shocked. That community just isn't this audience.

But that is why we, the little immature corner of the internet focused on Navy issues, needs you to vote. Eventually we are going to have to drag that bunch towards a more mature position of military affairs if the milblogging brand is ever going to mature into something relevant, and the only way I think we can do it is by representing ourselves.

So yes, you sitting at the desk at CSBA or CNA or RAND or staffer on Capital Hill or in the Pentagon or deployed overseas or in San Diego or Norfolk or Newport or Mayport or wherever you might come to ID from today - please hit this link and vote in this little popularity contest knowing it really is for a greater good.

Only you can turn the Navy category into one with enough size those Army dudes who run that show over there take note, because on Saturday when they have the milblogger conference - if the Navy has put out enough votes - it is going to help my friend at CHINFO Captain David Werner (also known as @NavyNews) inform the audience of Army nerds at the Milblogger conference on Saturday how the broad official and unofficial Navy social media community has left them and the rest of the military services in the dust.

Why? Simple, because we are more interesting, and we are more relevant. Unless you write for BlackFive or the Small Wars Journal, don't even think about suggesting otherwise.

A Few New Links

I've added a few new links on the blog, and will be cleaning up some of the blog stuff over the next several days.

The first is David Cenciotti's blog. He is an Italian Ex-fighter pilot who blogs in English and has one of the very best daily articles on Operation Unified Protector you will find anywhere. You can also follow David on Twitter here.

The second is Cannoneer #4 which appropriately titles the blog as the Civilian Irregular Information Defense Group. The blog isn't updated as often as I prefer, but it is always interesting when it is. Cannoneerno4 is also a great follow on Twitter.

TwitterFightClub Round of 64

Busy tonight from 0900 to midnight EDT? If not, help a brother out. See here for all the details, and I believe the voting can be done here at that time. (it not, I'll update).

The voting schedule is as follows:

Super 64: Wednesday 3/23, 0900 to midnight EDT
Round of 32: Thursday 3/24, 0900 to midnight EDT
Sweet Sixteen: Monday 3/28, 0900 to midnight EDT
Elite Eight: Tuesday 3/29, 0900 to midnight EDT
Final Four: Thursday 3/31, 0900 to midnight EDT
Extended Finals Voting: Friday 4/1, 0900 to Sunday 4/3, midnight EDT

The Twitterfight Champion and the Bracket competition winner will be announced Monday 4/4.

Follow on Twitter here. I expect a lively discussion... or 32.

My Twitter Fight Club Bracket

I have no idea how my name was thrown into this, but being that this blog advocates the idea space for the Global Force for Good, even at #13 I like my chances.

I am hoping to upset Adam Serwer, but Daveed Gartenstein-Ross will probably take me down. I'm just honored to be included on that list.

Good Read

This is a really interesting article on the post 9/11 GI Bill benefits change signed into law last month.

On Budgets and Opportunity

I'm really enjoying sunny San Diego, my goodness please Lord let me do this every year in January. When I flew out of Albany, NY on Sunday afternoon the temperature was 4 degrees. When I landed in Vegas for the 'torturous two-hour layover in which I won and lost 50 bucks' the temperature in Albany was -7. This week is sunny and 75 every day I am here. That paragraph was written with violins and heavenly music playing in my head...

Anyway. I'll be blogging over at USNI about WEST 2011 for those who want to follow my thoughts. The first panel yesterday was easily the highlight of my day. I had previously met Ronald O'Rourke and Victor Addison, and have always wanted to meet Mark Hagerott and Robbie Harris. For the record, Captain Munsch was really good too. My initial thoughts on their discussion is here, and I'll be pushing to get a video online - it really was a good discussion with some innovative thinking as you might expect from such an all-star group. I know I'm going to be thinking about a lot of things said by those folks awhile, so there will be more writing over time.

Today is Air/Sea Battle and Bob Work's speech, followed by some time hanging out with sailors - which I always look forward to. For those of you who are attending, I usually go to the USNI area between sessions so look for me there, or find Mary because she knows all.

Ray's Friday Blog Notes

A few notes. I will be attending AFCEA/USNI WEST 2011 next week and hope to refresh on several topics. It has been nice not blogging much this week, I've been reading some books and doing quite a bit of research on some topics I hope to expand my knowledge of next week - specifically reviewing the budget of the last few years for the Marine Corps.

Last year while I was at WEST 2010 the QDR was released. This year, the State of the Union? Joy? Na, probably wine or beer instead. With panel discussions about budgets, unmanned systems, cyber warfare, and Air-Sea Battle - I'm thinking I will have a lot to talk about as these are subjects that matter a great deal to me.

As usual, you can reach me email, Facebook, Twitter, txt, phone, etc. I even respond, most of the time.

One of the books I read recently is Red Star over the Pacific: China's Rise and the Challenge to U.S. Maritime Strategy by Toshi Yoshihara and James R. Holmes. I note this because both authors will be guests on Midrats Sunday evening.

A few thoughts on the book... It has a very academic flavor. That is a style criticism to some, but I don't mind that style so I was good with it. I tend to take a lot of notes when reading books written in academic style, and in this book in particular I went through a bunch of page notes and post-its. To each their own, but I find the book has been a useful resource for reviewing specific topics, particularly when comparing with news and other analysis.

Yes, I was thoroughly embarrassed by my performance on Midrats a few weeks ago. I am one who likes to think about what I say/write before I say/write it, and the interview thing is not something I am very good at - clearly. The first question asked on that episode, apparently specifically given to CDR Salamander by Admiral Stavridis, is one I intend to blog about very soon.

"What is the next big thing in maritime operations?"

It is a great question, and after thinking about what the question is asking, I think I have a more interesting answer than the one I gave.

Finally, there is an article by Seth Cropsey that was included in the Wednesday edition of CLIPS titled Anchors Away: American Sea Power in Dry Dock published in World Affairs, Volume 173, Number 5 / January-February 2011. The only thing I can think of that is worse than denying Seth Cropsey potential revenue from people not purchasing that article is the fact that so few people will ultimately read the article because of where it was published and the cost associated with reading it. It is a fantastic and brilliant article. I might quibble over the wording, but not the meaning, of maybe 2 sentences in the entire 3500 word piece.

After years of putting Loren Thompson in every single House Armed Services Committee, Seapower Subcommittee hearing where Lockheed Martin and other defense company clients of Loren Thompson got more of voice than the American people on Naval issues - can someone in the new House leadership please invite folks like Seth Cropsey instead? That guys ideas need to find a microphone. If you need a list of new names with new ideas, I got lists for both Republicans and Democrats, and given an opportunity these people won't disappoint while filling the heads of new House members with all kinds of smart things to say in public in front of the media.

I'm not a Loren Thompson hater, actually I appreciate that he will give an opinion to the press, but when a panel is CBO, CRS, and defense lobbyist like Loren Thompson ultimately you end up with a panel of government and industry lobbyists advising government leaders who are lobbied primarily by government (DoD) and industry. In a YouTube era of contested elections, that's a situation just begging to make someone look really stupid to voters.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

These are my girls just last week. Feel the Joy! We live in the greatest country on earth, in no small part due to the people who read this blog every week. For those traveling this holiday season, stay safe. For those deployed overseas - Thank you for what you do and God bless.

Me

I love the US Naval Institute. I love it's mission, and I love writing there. It is why I posted this, which I encourage everyone to see.

Today is my birthday. I am 35. Later this week is my wedding anniversary. My wife and I will have been married for 16 years. Some have been tougher than others, but all have been great. She is so much better than me which makes me one of the lucky ones.

Thanksgiving is this week.

All this family stuff means I shall consume wine on many nights, and it is unclear if I will be writing much. I have left the blog on autopilot just in case, and promise insightful content this week that will hopefully generate some discussion.

Happy Holidays, and have a safe week.