Stan R. Mitchell's Blog, page 53

Some inspiration and hope for the week

Hope these inspire (or inform) you!

(Inspiring quotes up top; military updates/news at the bottom.)

If your problem has a solution, do something about it. If your problem can't be solved, there is no need in worrying about it.

— Life Wisdom Quotes (@LifeWisdomQuote) December 17, 2014

RT @EntreLeadership: "The secret of getting ahead is getting started." – Agatha Christie

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 16, 2014

RT @TrainingMindful: "Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." ~ Dalai Lama

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 16, 2014

RT @DavidRoads: If you ever think about giving up, remember why you held on for so long. – Hayley Williams

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 16, 2014

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.

— BrianTracy (@BrianTracy) December 13, 2014

Winners do today what losers do tomorrow.

— Guy's Motivation (@GuysMotivation) December 7, 2014

You will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. -Aristotle

— Ancient Wisdoms (@AncientWisdoms) December 7, 2014

RT @GreatestQuotes: "We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge." – John Naisbitt

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 5, 2014

 

Military news you

may have missed.

 

Hundreds of US troops now deployed in Iraq’s Anbar province —
http://t.co/sN2oAnamC8

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 19, 2014

22nd MEU conducted air strikes, Iraq embassy reinforcement —
http://t.co/VZLPstcPSZ

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 19, 2014

More US troops going to Iraq in a couple of weeks (from @AP) http://t.co/Tj7if4iLUg

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 18, 2014

Congress Again Buys Abrams Tanks the Army Doesn't Want: http://t.co/TKwSoWTDzZ pic.twitter.com/qtCqLGK1YJ

— Military.com (@Militarydotcom) December 18, 2014

This is going to seriously ruin some folks' day… — A-10s now operating in Iraq against ISIS http://t.co/Qd2meierTt

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 18, 2014

Love the Corps… @GenDunford, Commandant of the #USMC, runs the Combat Fitness Test. #Leadership http://t.co/luYaDbbdwt

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 17, 2014

Taliban mount assault on Kunar border district, Afghan officials say http://t.co/pWiMxCzBJ4

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 17, 2014

I miss these days… 2d Battalion 4th Marines conducts a Vertical Assault. http://t.co/bRYSJbLmuZ

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 17, 2014

Hilarious video of Sgt. Maj. Barrett (@SMMC17) hosting The Corps Report. https://t.co/SXNxUuP9eR

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 16, 2014

And this is where Nick Woods and his boys are going next! RT @nytimes: Pakistan’s hot spots at a glance http://t.co/YnAYxZcj61

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 16, 2014

Today in 1944 marked the start of the #BattleOfTheBulge, lasting ~6 weeks. For more info: http://t.co/WOkrc3eUz0 pic.twitter.com/ntpG1x8sYk

— The Old Guard (@The_Old_Guard) December 16, 2014

Higher prices, shortages create pressure for Islamic State — http://t.co/80XNrsPOJ7

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 13, 2014

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

How wolves change rivers

I watched this as a total skeptic, but it seems pretty convincing. And very inspiring.

Maybe our entire ecosystem is far more thought out and balanced than we ever thought.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

If women catcalled men…

Something to think about…

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

Some inspiration and hope for the week

Hope these inspire (or inform) you! (Inspiring quotes up top; military updates/news at the bottom.)

RT @DavidRoads: Stop cursing the darkness and light some candles.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 30, 2014

RT @GreatestQuotes: "They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." – Andy Warhol

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 27, 2014

RT @AncientWisdoms: If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. -Latin proverb

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 27, 2014

RT @DavidRoads: It's never too late to be what you might have been.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 27, 2014

RT @MotivatedLiving: It's not about being the best, it's about being better than you were yesterday.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 27, 2014

RT @GreatestQuotes: "Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry." – Mark Twain

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 28, 2014

RT @TrainingMindful: "Heaven on Earth is a choice you must make, not a place you must find." ~ Wayne W. Dyer

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 28, 2014

RT @LV_Sports: If you are going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price. -Bud Wilkinson

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 28, 2014

RT @MotivatedGuys: Forgive yourself for your faults and your mistakes and move on.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 29, 2014

RT @DavidRoads: When you make a commitment, you build hope. When you keep it, you build trust.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 29, 2014

RT @LV_Sports: Yesterday's home runs don't win today's games. -Babe Ruth

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 29, 2014

why we need to exercise pic.twitter.com/qK5htMVeFc

— Better Man Project (@BetterManProj) October 29, 2014

RT @BrianTracy: The biggest mistake we could ever make in our lives is to think we work for anybody but ourselves.

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 30, 2014

It takes just 1 positive action to reverse course. An excited greeting. A big hug. A jovial laugh. A open heart. Sharing your faith. Give +

— David Rutherford (@teamfroglogic) October 30, 2014

RT @LV_Sports: The pain of discipline is far less than the pain of regret. -Sarah Bombell

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 30, 2014

 

Military news you may have missed

Three women dropped from Marines' infantry officer course will not reattempt — http://t.co/Q9agATsGhX

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 29, 2014

This sucks… RT @starsandstripes: .@USAirForce identifies airman missing in #Guam: http://t.co/kjSw0Swg35 #military pic.twitter.com/rZJ8cmRIsG

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 5, 2014

 

China Stealth Jet Maker Walks Back Boast It Could ‘Take Out’ F-35 — http://t.co/IdWZQBU3S7

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 12, 2014

 

This is a problem, right? –> Pentagon’s big budget F-35 fighter ‘can’t turn, can’t climb, can’t run’ http://t.co/Jubc2s0jNe

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 8, 2014

The New Army Pistol: Decoded —
http://t.co/X2y025g097

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) December 8, 2014

Rode these babies a ton back in the day! RT @USMarineCorps: Two CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters circle a LZ. pic.twitter.com/xdveqEnxGl

— Stan R. Mitchell (@StanRMitchell) October 30, 2014

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

Improving the U.S. military. Some thoughts from two vets…

Being a prior enlisted member of the military, it’s quite common to spout off your views on all things military. From playing Monday morning quarterback regarding current combat operations, to discussing how the Army or Marine Corps could do things better, nearly every enlisted member that I’ve ever met complains and gripes, while also suggesting how things could be better.

I’ve learned this doesn’t end when you get out, and I’ve of late been increasingly talking all things military with a guy I’ll just call “Lee.”

Lee served four and a half years in the Army, with most of his time in the 75th Ranger Regiment. Lee served two combat tours during that time and he knows about ten times more about weapons than I do, and well, that’s saying something.

Several times in the past six months, we’ve talked about things we’d change if we were in charge and we finally decided it’d be fun to throw these things out there for discussion purposes, and even better, to hear all the other ideas floating around out there.

Here were some ideas we had…

Change No. 1 if we were in charge:​

Begin using a new sniper round that’s .30-06 or above​, instead of the current 7.62 mm NATO. Platform of choice? Remington 700.

​Change No. 2:

Change the standard round of infantry/spec ops/airborne units from 5.56 mm to 7.62 mm NATO. We think we hardly have to make the case for this, but clearly there’d be better range, knock down power, and penetration.

Change No. 3:

Support troops would continue to use 5.56 mm. Arguments for this include they’re familiar with it, less likely to see combat, and it has a lighter weight/smaller size in both weapons platform and combat load when compared to 7.62 mm NATO.

Change No. 4:

We worry a 5.56 mm wouldn’t work effectively in a cold weather war. For instance, if we were to go to war with Russia, China, or North Korea.

During the Korean war, ground troops hated the M1 carbine because the .30 cal bullet wouldn’t penetrate the heavy clothing. We think there (at a minimum) needs to be much more research on this issue.

Change No. 5:

Arm troops on base with both a sidearm AND fixed blade. We don’t understand why the people defending our country are not able to defend themselves on base? The last place a crazed shooter should be able to kill Americans is on a military base.

Unfortunately, when an incident like the shooting in Texas happens, our military has to call the police to deal with the threat because 99 percent of the weapons are locked in armories. That’s idiotic.

Change No. 6:

Improve pistol training/create a new military pistol platform.

Pistol training in most cases is sparse at best, usually just qualifying. We’d like to see troops able to shoot effectively, which means far more intensive training (such as this) than they’re currently getting. The problem with any pistol is that it’s a pistol, meaning it’s a small round fired from a weapon that’s harder to shoot than a rifle or shotgun.

When the military was choosing a pistol to replace the 1911, the Beretta was so far above every other entrant that they had to lessen the requirements just so SIG SAUER could keep up. The 9 mm has tons of advantages that make it as close to a “perfect pistol” as we’ll get. It’s easier for smaller people to shoot, it carries more bullets, 9 mm is cheap and plentiful, and it’s proven.

Bottom line, we think the M9 pistol is one of the best US Military sidearms ever. (People forget the 1911 used to suck, and that troops hated it.*)

Now it’s your turn. What changes would you make?

And are we wrong on anything we’ve written above in your opinion?

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

Where I’ve been the past few months…

It’s been roughly three weeks since I’ve posted, and I’m sure many of you have wondered where I’ve been. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s the longest gap — by far — of me not posting in three years. (Even prior to that I’ve just mostly posted Twitter summaries or other things of late, where I haven’t put myself out there much.)

Partly, the lack of posting is a result of my new job and the transition of adjusting to it, but my long-time followers know I still managed to post regularly through the closing of my paper, so you true members of Mitchell’s Militia are far too keen to think it’s just me in a new job.

Partly, I’ve been super busy — Danah and I have finally gotten our company debt refinanced, and we’re still wrapping up loose ends from our company even nearly a year-plus after the fact — but my true friends on here know I’ve been busy and trying to over-achieve since the day I left for the Marines at 17.

So, what truly gives?

Well, what truly gives is I’m selling boatloads of books. And by boatloads, I mean more books than you’d probably believe. Most days, even I don’t believe it.

It began about three months ago and it’s only grown steadier and steadier, higher and higher.

And every day that it’s grown, it’s gotten a little scarier.

It’s ironic, for three years I’ve worked super hard to attract attention, gain followers, and try to earn some readers. And for much of that time, I was talking to the same crowd. In fact, there are still 20 or 30 of you that I feel like I know. That I’d love to meet some day.

And with the regulars, it was easy. You all knew me. If I got out of line, you knew deep down that I was a good guy, and you let it slide.

But as new followers have signed up and more and more “likes” have piled up on facebook from absolute, complete strangers, stage fright has seized me. It’s as if I walked around the corner with my guitar expecting to play a few songs for my friends, and instead of a few people in a cafe, there’s a stadium full of people. And media with cameras.

This sounds like an exaggeration, and in some ways it is, but in others it’s not. I’ve had a stunning, in-depth review from a nuclear physicist — Dr. Martin Fricke — who spent much of his career supporting the U.S. Intelligence Community and has even personally interacted with the Director of Central Intelligence. (Bio.)

I’ve had another reviewer say I’m “so much better than Stephen Hunter,” who’s one of my favorite authors.

I’ve had a former Marine Sniper review both books, and had another reviewer give a two-star review to “Mexican Heat” because it didn’t read as good as “Sold Out.” (I’m not linking to this last one, and guys, please don’t go commenting on any of these reviews. Even the tough ones have made my day that the reader took the time to leave a review; reviews such as those have saved all of us crucial time and money from products we wouldn’t have enjoyed.)

My only point in saying all this is that I suddenly find myself almost frozen. I haven’t been writing because I wonder how in the world I’ll top “Mexican Heat.”

I haven’t been blogging much of late because I have this new audience I don’t know, and I worry they’ll think what I post isn’t that relevant. More and more, I find myself thinking, “Now I know why mainline authors don’t blog. They’re not just talking with friends they’ve known for a long time.”

So, this is where I’ve been. I’ve been pinching myself, wondering if this is real. Wondering how my books made it in the Top 20 on Amazon (in their genre) without a dollar of marketing and no big-shot publishing firm behind me.

I’ve been almost praying it continues, because we need the money, while feeling guilty the sales are so good while my other author friends struggle.

And I’ve been worried I’ll somehow screw this up, or say something stupid, or write something that tanks.

That’s the truth, for my regulars who’ve been wondering. Thankfully, I know I can go to bed tonight feeling confident that no matter what, there’s about 20 or 30 of you who will stick around, even if the rest were to go away tomorrow.

And I’ll end with a pledge. From here on out, I’ll try to be the same ol’ Stan. I figure folks will either like me or they won’t. They’ll either stay or they’ll leave. But in the end, I can’t operate in fear. It kills in battle. It freezes you up in life.

So, expect more to come, and I’m hoping most of you stay. (Actually, I hope each of you stay. It’s taken way more than even just three years to get to this point.)

To my regulars, you true members of Mitchell’s Militia, many of whom have been here since way before it was cool, I owe you. I owe you big time, and I hope with every ounce of my being that I don’t forget you or take for granted what each of you has done to spread the word about my books.

You all were the ones who got this ball rolling, and I’ll be forever indebted to you.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

Ten ways you’re making your life harder than it has to be

Pretty good article worth reading.

Ten ways you’re making your life harder than it has to be.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

What kind of person are you?

Heard an amazing thing on a Navy SEAL video I saw earlier.

A retired Navy SEAL said there are two kinds of people in the world.

Senior Chief Don Shipley said there is the kind that will get hit in the arm by a measly .22 and flop to the ground, kicking and screaming as if they’re going to die.

And then there’s the kind that you can shoot right in the face with a .38, and before that person dies, they will charge you, grab you, and throw you out the window and take you with them.

I know that’s pretty black or white, and I know there are times I’ve been the latter, but there are other times when I’m been the former. (And I’d like to think I’m mostly the latter, but we have to make this decision every single day of our lives.)

I think the question for all of us is which of those two are you?

Are you tough as nails and half crazy, with people looking at you with the highest level of respect? (Which is earned, never given!) Or do you quit and make excuses when confronted with the smallest of roadblocks?

And if you’re the latter and you’re prone to quitting or not fighting your guts out, or if maybe half of the time you’re the latter, remember this: you can change at any time.

You can find someone to look up to that you know. You can study some hero in a book or article about them. You can do many things to change who you are, but you’ve got to make that decision. And you’ve got to want to change.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

Are you giving average effort?

I’ve already taken my medicine. Now it’s time to take yours.

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.

This pillow fight prank made my day!

I needed to smile and laugh today. Hope this lightens your day half as much as it lightened mine!

And remember. Loosen up! Smile! Laugh! And joke some as you deal with all the stress in your life!

Keep the faith,

Stan R. Mitchell

Oak Ridge, Tenn.

About me: I’m an action fiction author with books similar to Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Tom Clancy. I’m also a prior infantry Marine with Combat Action Ribbon, and a guy who spent 10+ years in the newspaper business. Please consider subscribing to my blog — I mostly post about things that either motivate you, inspire you, or make you laugh.