There is a lot of Sun Tzu bullshit on here lately. Stop pretending you are in possession of supreme warfare wisdom that makes its possessor invincible if executed. You’re not special for reading or listening to an OPINION book on war. Honestly guys, can anyone definitively explain to me why Mr Tzu is absolute truth in warfare beyond his personal opinion and experience? Because it sounds cool, ancient, eastern wisdom mystical? There are A LOT of impressive generals that have appeared over human history with great one-liners.

There is an obvious pattern that eastern wisdom teaches; moderation and balance of opposites. Ying and yang, look weak when you are strong, subdue the enemy without fighting, the greatest victory is which requires no battle, winners got to war knowing they already won while losers go to war hoping to win. Wax on, wax off.

clap, clap, clap, clap

I’m am now prepared to follow you into battle great general. Never mind the tactical details on how to siege a mud hut with an unknown number of enemies with unknown arms behind it. Never mind the details of how to deliver unguided bombs on target while avoiding the WEZ of an SA 5. Forget the details of wartime logistics; food, bullets, medicine, equipment, fuel, electrical infrastructure, construction materials, security, airfield operations, dwell time etc.

Nope. You read a book that sounds cool. There is another group of people that walk around thinking their shit doesn’t stink because they read a few books and can pull some quotes out of their asses at a cocktail parties. Liberal academic and political elitists. You know, the people who don’t know how to produce anything of tangible value like food, labor, or innovative goods. Instead they collect a paycheck proved by universities or tax payers (sometimes both); getting paid to regurgitate the ideas of the smarter people that came before them.

Don’t try to pass yourself off as a smart ass like these people. If you insist on thinking you have the inside scoop, are more apprised view of the world situation and are more competent than the people who actually “do” the deed you preach, take that shit to Reddit or Twitter.

Context: I’m a 9+ year Air Force officer who was never meaningfully exposed to the teachings of Sun Tzu anytime in my professional military development. Never has it been thought to me as necessary staple of modern tactical or strategic doctrine. Been deployed 4 times; 2 flying, 2 staff. I don’t claim to be a tactician, claim that I could do a better job than anyone else, and I certainly don’t claim to understand the right and wrong moves Trump made because I read a fucking book.

There is great value in reading books and to cogitate on the philosophies and ideas within the pages. It’s how you learn and become better! Read it, think about what it says, become better person. Don’t become a military “armchair quarterback/general” because you read a book. I play Counterstrike and earned 3 or 4 tactical nukes back in the day playing MW2; let Seal Team 6 know they can PM me if they have any questions about how to execute their next shindig.