Tactical Tangents

Police occupy an uneasy space between the government and the governed—simultaneously a symbol of state power and a human presence in people's daily lives. Sometimes we get a little too PUNISHER SHEEPDOG and we need to...

Mike explores a list of pitfalls in law enforcement through the lens of critical thinking and best practices. Among the list are things related to balancing officer safety and legal justification, good tactics and...

You don't fight in a vacuum—and neither do police officers, soldiers, or federal agents. In this episode, Jim analyzes the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy (...

Everyone in a fight has their side of the story. That story is a crafted message that can keep someone in the fight, convince them to stop fighting, and convince bystanders you are the good guy worth helping or the bad...

Gaps in knowledge and performance happen naturally, even in high-performing teams. In this episode, Mike and Jim explore why blind spots develop despite good training, smart people, and strong intent. They walk through...

Most of us see ourselves as leaders, but a whole lot goes into "Leadership." One of the most vital aspects of persuasion is the credibility and trust people see in you. Credibility can grow over time, and it can also be...

Even the best of us get played from time to time. From an Air Force pilot duped into buying thousands in Sephora gift cards, to clever banking and family scams that nearly fooled even the most skeptical of us, we talk...

How do you stop a car that doesn't want to stop? If you see a rabbit should you chase the rabbit? We talk about safety and statistics, what factors to weigh the risk versus reward, how policies play into decision...

How do you prioritize your attention in a world full of distractions and competing priorities? Most people understand triage as a concept, but are you ready to sort wounded people? Both operationally and in our personal...

The 1989 invasion of Panama was a quick and violent moment in the drug war. We revisit why we went and how it went down. The hung for Manuel Noriega, the messy Army Ranger airfield seizures, Navy SEAL assaults on escape...

Thinking about joining the Air Force? In this episode, we dig into the real questions behind the glossy recruiting pitch: commissioning sources, officer vs. enlisted life, active duty vs. Guard and Reserve, and what...

Law Enforcement offers a wide range of career paths—but finding the right fit takes more than just filling out an application. In this episode, Jim interviews Officer Mike about what it's really like to build a career...

When is it right to stick to your role—and when do you need to step up and act, even outside your formal job description? Mike and Jim tackle the age-old advice to "stay in your lane" by examining what it truly means in...

You train like a pro, shoot like a pro—so why fuel like a rookie? Mike and Jim break down practical, no-BS nutrition tips for high-performance days at the range or on duty for the night shift. Whether you're running...

Jim and Mike dig into David Kilcullen's The Dragons and the Snakes to explore how modern adversaries—from rogue states to criminal networks—are adapting faster than ever to Western tactics, tech, and psychology. Drawing...