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 lives, we have to choose what we pay attention to. That is true in everything from time management and budgeting to room clearing and in-flight emergencies.

We talk through some models and analogies that might help you find balance in demanding professional settings and time sensitive situations.

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

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 air and water craft, the Little Bird Hostage Rescue of Kurt Muse, the first combat use of the F-117 (spoiler, it missed), the role AC/DC played at the Vatican Embassy, and like 20 other objectives in a joint US Special Operations and conventional forces endeavor.

Links:

https://aircommando.org/first-fight-special-tactics-in-panama-1989/ Semi-Official AFSOC History

https://www.jcs.mil/Portals/36/Documents/History/Monographs/Just_Cause.pdf Official Military History

https://amzn.to/4pFthAj Six Minutes to Freedom by Kurt Muse

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

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 happens when the service downsizes.

We’ll talk about “up or out,” promotions, cross-training opportunities, and the wide range of jobs that don’t make the brochure. Is the Air Force really the “softer” service? And are you still cool if you don’t fly jets? We share stories, lessons learned, and what you should really know before raising your right hand.

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

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 in law enforcement. Should you be a deputy Sheriff or an FBI agent? Do you need a degree?

They discuss the pros and cons of different agencies, educational requirements, and how personal history—like prior drug use—can affect hiring. The conversation also covers safety risks, the realities of shift work, and how the job can impact relationships and social life.

Whether you’re considering a law enforcement career or advising someone who is, this episode offers a candid look at the opportunities and challenges in the field.

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

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 high-stakes environments. From a cop showing up to a burning house to Marines turning wrenches one moment and picking up rifles the next, we break down how flexibility, judgment, and initiative can make the difference between failure and mission success.

Drawing on real-world examples like the 2012 Taliban attack on Camp Bastion—where Marine pilots and maintainers dropped tools and returned fire—we ask: Is it always someone else’s job, or do high-performing teams blur the lines when the stakes are high?

This episode is about knowing your capabilities, understanding your limits, and recognizing when stepping outside your lane is not only appropriate—but necessary.

Show notes link:
https://amzn.to/40CUBnP - Restricted Data: The History of Nuclear Secrecy in the United States by Alex Wellerstein
https://bit.ly/ArmyMDMP - Army MDMP (Military Decision Making Process) Lessons and Best Practices Book
https://bit.ly/CENTCOM-Investigation - USCENTCOM Camp Bastion Investigation
https://bit.ly/450c2zR - Rochester Business Journal Article

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 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 drills in full kit, qualifying on a tight schedule, or sneaking in a range session on your day off, what you eat (and drink) matters.

From no-fridge no-microwave hacks to high-protein gas station snacks, we’ll walk you through how to keep your edge when the sun’s beating down and there’s no fridge in sight. If your job demands readiness, your nutrition should match.

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

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 from Kilcullen’s insights and a CIA review of the book, they unpack the idea that our enemies are evolving because of us—we’re shaping their strategy, and sometimes not in the way we want.

From guerrilla warfare and liminal conflict to use-of-force doctrine and law enforcement tactics, this episode connects military theory to street-level realities. Are we in a new kind of war without even knowing it? And what are we teaching our opponents every time we act?

The Dragons and the Snakes by David Kilcullen - https://amzn.to/3Td5CrM
CIA review of the book - https://bit.ly/TheDragonsAndTheSnakes

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

Why do we focus so much on tactics and so little on strategy? In this episode, Mike and Jim tackle the divide between street-level action and big-picture thinking. Drawing on lessons from policing, the military, and community crime prevention, they explore how individual cops, community members, and leaders can influence criminal decision-making—not just react to it.

Topics include resource constraints, the Broken Windows theory, and strategies for shifting offender perceptions to prevent crime before it occurs.

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