So like any football or basketball coach, you always always believe you're going to win.

War should be the politics of last resort. And when we go to war, we should have a purpose that our people understand and support.

The United States is not looking for a way to launch war.

What could be more important than equipping the next generation with the character and competence they need to become successful

Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.

Once the information is in the 40 to 70 range, go with your gut.

Fear is a normal human emotion. It is not in itself a killer. We can learn to be aware when fear grips us, and can train to operate through and in spite of our fear. If, on the other hand, we don't understand that fear is normal and has to be controlled and overcome, it will paralyze us and stop us in our tracks. We will no longer think clearly or analyze rationally. We prepare for it and control it; we never let it control us. It if does, we cannot lead.