Tactical Tangents

You do honorable, important, and dangerous work in your profession, but that work also feeds into your social needs, and you've internalized and reinforced the attributes that make you good at your job to a degree that sets you up for problems down the road. Mike addresses the importance of examining your identity and why you need to expand your roles in life beyond your career, because you might not always be as special as you think you are.   Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. Find us on social media @TacTangents and give a follow! Intro music credit Bensound.com

From hostage rescue to burglary alarm calls, dynamic entries to slow and deliberate clearing, CQB and entry tactics have shifted over time—but the risks haven't gone away. It doesn't matter if you're a high-speed tactical operator or a patrol cop on the front lines, clearing structures with guns has some fundamental challenges, and there's no perfect way to do it.   This episode explores the tradeoffs behind how we clear structures, why context matters, and what actually improves survivability when everything is working against you. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly reshaping how information is gathered, analyzed, and acted upon in both policing and military operations, and even the private sector. In this episode, we examine the practical implications of AI tools—especially large language models (LLMs)—and how they are already influencing intelligence analysis, operational planning, and day-to-day decision-making across our professions.  Mike and Jim explore the promise and limitations of human–machine teaming, the risks associated with data security and data poisoning, and how adversaries can exploit AI systems to manipulate information environments, accelerate decision cycles, and disrupt traditional OODA loops. As tacticians, we also have to consider the threats with AI teaming; deepfakes, synthetic media, and automated influence campaigns can distort perception and undermine trust during critical incidents or conflicts. We focus on practical leadership considerations: when to trust automated tools, how to validate AI-generated information, and how organizations can integrate these technologies without surrendering judgment, sovereignty, or operational advantage. The ultimate goal is to help practitioners understand how AI changes the competitive landscape—and how professionals can adapt without becoming dependent on systems they don't fully control. Links:  Great article from Red Beard Tactical on how to use AI to write better OPORDS: https://www.patreon.com/posts/tactics-ai-opord-150850002 Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com    

In complex environments, effort alone doesn't equal results. Whether you're in uniform or behind a badge, you face the same reality: limited resources, adaptive adversaries, and problems that refuse to stay solved. The difference between activity and impact often comes down to how you see the fight. Mike and Jim break down systems thinking for tacticians — a practical way to understand how outcomes actually emerge inside military and law enforcement environments. Using real-world examples, they explore how feedback loops, incentives, and hidden dependencies shape everything from crime trends to operational tempo. Links: https://sdm.mit.edu/a-systems-analysis-of-tactical-intelligence-in-the-us-army/  https://warroom.armywarcollege.edu/podcasts/warden-five-rings-great-strategists/ - John Warden's "The Enemy as a System" https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/ASPJ/journals/Volume-09_Issue-1-Se/1995_Vol9_No1.pdf https://amzn.to/4smTmEM0 - The Air Campaign: Planning For Combat by John Warden https://amzn.to/3OTgcVQ - Winning in FastTime: Harness the Competitive Advantage of Prometheus in Business and Life - by John Warden https://media.defense.gov/2017/Dec/27/2001861508/-1/-1/0/T_0029_FADOK_BOYD_AND_WARDEN.PDF - John Boyd and John Warden: Air Power's Quest for Strategic Paralysis https://warontherocks.com/2015/09/the-five-ring-circus-how-airpower-enthusiasts-forgot-about-interdiction/ - The Five-Ring Circus: How Airpower Enthusiasts Forgot About Interdiction by Mike Pietrucha Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com  

We dive into the real-world implications of living in a sensor-saturated society. From ALPR and private-sector camera networks to open-source data and pattern analysis, modern surveillance isn't just a policy debate — it's a tactical environment.  We unpack how integrated surveillance systems create unprecedented investigative power while simultaneously introducing new vulnerabilities for police, military professionals, and everyday citizens. The conversation moves beyond headlines to explore the operational reality: how patterns are built, how they're exploited, and how tacticians can leverage these tools while denying the same advantages to their adversaries. Along the way, we tackle the enduring tension between liberty and security, drawing on insights from history and reminding us that while the technology is new, the dilemma is not. If surveillance is the new terrain, understanding it isn't optional. The question isn't whether the system exists — it's whether it works for you, or on you. Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com Photo credit: Flock Safety  

  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 chill. Mike and Jim break down the archetypes cops often fall into and discuss how to adjust our approach to be a dynamic leaders.  Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com    

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 having a perfect plan, communication quirks, arresting and searching people, and ways you might sound like a nerd. Photo Credit from https://youtu.be/vA0P92ddm2A Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com    

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 ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf ) and translates its broad language into practical meaning for people working at the tactical and operational levels. He explains how the NSS communicates priorities across government, how it influences downstream defense and security planning, and how it signals intent to allies, competitors, and adversaries alike. Check out this episode to gain a clearer understanding of how strategic documents shape budgeting, force posture, and mission design over time. We also explore why the NSS matters differently at different ranks and roles, and how leaders can use it to frame decisions, explain priorities to subordinates, and anticipate where institutions are likely to invest (or divest) next. Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com    

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 guy worth piling onto. Police in America are struggling with an increasingly hostile public narrative that degrades morale, budgets, recruiting, and public cooperation when you need it most. In irregular warfare, the narrative may have more impact than the guided missiles.  The conversation focuses on practical storytelling skills leaders need to operate effectively in contested environments. Check out this episode to learn how tactical actions reverberate at the operational and strategic levels, why "neutrality" is often a false posture, and how to communicate facts through compelling, ethical narratives that build credibility rather than erode it. This episode is essential listening for professionals who operate in public-facing roles where perception directly impacts mission success. The History of the Marine Corps: https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/who-are-the-marines/history.html The History of Special Forces:  https://arsof-history.org/history.html#check-sf Storytelling Tactics https://pipdecks.com/products/storyteller-tactics Malcom Gladwell's TED Talk about his book The Tipping Point: https://youtu.be/RmXrwKydM9k  The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell - https://amzn.to/48X1gg1  Brian Willis TED talk most dangerous weapon in LE https://youtu.be/qwC-RHsC6gw  Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com    

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 the realities of cognitive load—how much information a practitioner can realistically retain—and how this affects everything from tactical decision-making to compliance with policy and law. Using examples from aviation, policing, and military training, they illustrate how complexity, fatigue, and skill decay shape performance far more than most would acknowledge. The conversation also addresses how organizations should think about standards, instructor responsibilities, evaluation systems, and the realistic limits of human learning. They highlight tools leaders can use to expose and correct blind spots: independent evaluation, scenario-based application, and deliberate debriefing. Mike and Jim emphasize the importance of professional education, continual reinforcement, and maintaining a baseline that is both realistic and mission-appropriate. Take a moment and ask yourself: Are you tired of always having to work on the lowest common denominator? Do you know what your own weaknesses are and how they can impact you? This episode helps practitioners understand their own limitations, recognize when they need help, and apply structured thinking to improve safety, efficiency, and organizational credibility. UCSD Report: UCSD students can't do basic math:  https://senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347/sawg-report-on-admissions-review-docs.pdf The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window  Find us on social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram/YouTube) @TacTangents. You can join the conversation in our Facebook Discussion Group. Find all of our episodes, articles, some reading list ideas, and more on our website www.tacticaltangents.com Like what we're doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe. Intro music credit Bensound.com