Personal Command Update

MORNING BRIEF

Good morning, Anthony.

Saturday, October 17, 2026West Columbia, SC6 min read

Morning Philosophy

“Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”

— Booker T. Washington, "Up From Slavery" (1901)

Washington wrote this as a man who rose from bondage to build institutions, knowing that credentials mean little without the friction that forged them. For a cadet bound for law and command, the rank insignia or law degree will never tell the whole story — the discipline built in failed inspections, hard marches, and difficult cases will. Measure today not by where you stand at day's end, but by what resistance you

Hard Deadlines — Today

No hard deadlines today.

Today’s Calendar

[all day] Truman — Block 4: Policy Proposal draft 1 (MEDIUM-HEAVY, 8 hrs)

Canvas — Upcoming

Test 2, including reading from Roland, 134-267.51023.202650due Mon 10/19, 1:00 PM

Seven interview questions post51133.202650due Tue 10/20, 12:00 PM

MIDTERM50264.202650due Tue 10/20, 11:30 PM

Required 311 Survey - 202651585.202650due Thu 10/22

Article interview experience51133.202650due Thu 10/22, 1:30 PM

WEEK EIGHT CALL FOR FIRE & FIRE PLANNING50264.202650due Fri 10/23

Announcements

Leadership Day Instructions51585.202650 · 2026-10-15

Weather & Dress

Overcast · 52–74°F (now 69°, feels 63°)

precip 63%   wind 17mph

0731

sunrise

1848

sunset

WEAR — comfortable — no jacket needed; bring rain gear

Daily Leadership Lesson

A leader who assigns a task without specifying the standard of "done" invites rework instead of results.

Before delegating today, state the concrete outcome, deadline, and quality bar you expect, not just the activity.

❦

Journal Memory

This entry was about committing to new habits like reading, the gym, and meditation while dropping social media and distractions, and reflecting on how that discipline was transforming your mindset and self-image.

“I am bettering myself in the gym and finding my body image become more to my liking and that I realize I am strong and that I have what it takes to become great. I know that I have always had this and I love that because of the commitment I add into the gym, reading, and soon mediation that the rivers will flow with success and my mental health will soar as high as eagles. Through this commitment and success I still do have to give thanks and gratitude for the people that helped propel me to this position.”

FROM “J.2022-11-16” · 2022-11-16

News Worth Knowing

Major World News

Palestinians and US journalist injured by Israeli settlers in West Bank harvest attack — BBC News

Masked Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in the occupied West Bank, injuring several people including a U.S. photojournalist working for The Washington Post. The BBC witnessed the assault, which comes amid a reported surge in similar settler violence in the region.

Trump waives several Russia sanctions as row with Zelensky intensifies — BBC News

President Trump has temporarily waived several U.S. sanctions on Russia, citing national security concerns, as his rift with Ukrainian President Zelensky deepens. The move comes amid escalating tension over Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil infrastructure and growing criticism from U.S. allies over Washington's stance toward Moscow.

Brazil sees record fall in Amazon deforestation as key election looms — BBC News

Brazil has recorded a significant drop in Amazon deforestation ahead of a key election, reversing trends that expanded under former president Jair Bolsonaro. The Amazon remains a critical buffer against climate change, making this decline notable for global environmental efforts.

Major United States News

3 children, teacher killed in shooting at Oregon elementary school — NPR Topics: National

A 16-year-old gunman killed three children and a teacher in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon on Thursday. Officials say a bystander confronted and fatally shot the suspected shooter. The tragedy has left the small Oregon community reeling.

Red ink: Federal deficit hits nearly $2 trillion — NPR Topics: National

The U.S. federal deficit for the fiscal year that just ended reached nearly $2 trillion, the largest budget gap since 2021. That year marked the height of pandemic-related spending, underscoring how government borrowing remains elevated even as the crisis has passed.

Evacuation orders as fast-moving California wildfire burns homes — BBC News

A fast-moving wildfire fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds has prompted evacuation orders in California after burning homes. The Norte Fire is one of 13 wildfires currently burning across the state, highlighting the ongoing wildfire risk during this windy season.

South Carolina News

No major South Carolina news worth your attention.

Military & National Security

Order to limit Starshield for Ukraine came from inside White House, sources say — Defense News

Sources say an order to limit SpaceX's Starshield satellite system for Ukraine originated from within the White House. The system is used for battlefield communications and drone operations, and its restriction has reportedly hampered Ukrainian military capabilities including drone strikes and air defense coordination.

Bulgaria seeks NATO anti-drone systems, defense minister says — Defense News

Bulgaria has formally requested that NATO deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to strengthen its defenses, according to the country's defense minister. The move reflects growing concern among NATO's eastern flank members about drone threats and regional security.

Israel secures procurement of 12 Apache gunships in last-minute maneuver — Defense News

Israel has secured a deal to acquire 12 Apache 'Echo' attack helicopters from Boeing through a last-minute procurement maneuver, according to an announcement from Israel's ministry of defense. The acquisition reinforces Israel's attack helicopter fleet amid ongoing regional security operations.

Opinion Piece

What the Loss of Starshield Revealed — Brynn Tannehill · The Atlantic

The essay argues that the temporary shutdown of Starshield revealed a critical vulnerability in Ukraine's war effort, since its battlefield defenses depend heavily on high-speed satellite data links controlled by Washington. It suggests that U.S. policy decisions about this infrastructure carry direct and serious consequences for an ally's national security, raising questions about the reliability of American commitments in wartime.

Data Status
🟢Calendar1 event(s)
🟢Canvas Assignments0 due today, 6 upcoming, 3 announcements
🟢WeatherOvercast, 52–74°F at West Columbia, SC
🟢Newsworld:3; us:3; local:0; military:3
🟢Opinion PieceWhat the Loss of Starshield Revealed
🟢Morning PhilosophySuccess is to be measured not so much by the posi…
🟢Daily Leadership LessonA leader who assigns a task without specifying th…
🟢Journal MemoryJ.2022-11-16
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6 min read