Tactical Tangents

Tactical Tangents
  • 4.9 (95)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Mike is a police SWAT team member, K9 handler, and tactical medic. Jim is an Air Force pilot with a background in close air support and combat search and rescue. Our goal is to elevate the conversation about all things tactical for public safety, military, and concerned citizens. Join us to hear lessons learned about decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork.

  1. 3D AGO

    National Security Strategy Review

    You don't fight in a vacuum—and neither do police officers, soldiers, or federal agents. In this episode, Jim analyzes the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy ( https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2025-National-Security-Strategy.pdf ) and translates its broad language into practical meaning for people working at the tactical and operational levels. He explains how the NSS communicates priorities across government, how it influences downstream defense and security planning, and how it signals intent to allies, competitors, and adversaries alike. Check out this episode to gain a clearer understanding of how strategic documents shape budgeting, force posture, and mission design over time. We also explore why the NSS matters differently at different ranks and roles, and how leaders can use it to frame decisions, explain priorities to subordinates, and anticipate where institutions are likely to invest (or divest) next. 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

    32 min

  2. 12/15/2025

    The Pen is Mightier Than The Sword… sometimes

    Everyone in a fight has their side of the story. That story is a crafted message that can keep someone in the fight, convince them to stop fighting, and convince bystanders you are the good guy worth helping or the bad guy worth piling onto. Police in America are struggling with an increasingly hostile public narrative that degrades morale, budgets, recruiting, and public cooperation when you need it most. In irregular warfare, the narrative may have more impact than the guided missiles.  The conversation focuses on practical storytelling skills leaders need to operate effectively in contested environments. Check out this episode to learn how tactical actions reverberate at the operational and strategic levels, why "neutrality" is often a false posture, and how to communicate facts through compelling, ethical narratives that build credibility rather than erode it. This episode is essential listening for professionals who operate in public-facing roles where perception directly impacts mission success. The History of the Marine Corps: https://www.marines.com/about-the-marine-corps/who-are-the-marines/history.html The History of Special Forces:  https://arsof-history.org/history.html#check-sf Storytelling Tactics https://pipdecks.com/products/storyteller-tactics Malcom Gladwell's TED Talk about his book The Tipping Point: https://youtu.be/RmXrwKydM9k  The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcom Gladwell - https://amzn.to/48X1gg1  Brian Willis TED talk most dangerous weapon in LE https://youtu.be/qwC-RHsC6gw  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

    1h 11m

  3. 12/01/2025

    Closing the Gaps: Building Competence in High Performing-Teams

    Gaps in knowledge and performance happen naturally, even in high-performing teams. In this episode, Mike and Jim explore why blind spots develop despite good training, smart people, and strong intent. They walk through the realities of cognitive load—how much information a practitioner can realistically retain—and how this affects everything from tactical decision-making to compliance with policy and law. Using examples from aviation, policing, and military training, they illustrate how complexity, fatigue, and skill decay shape performance far more than most would acknowledge. The conversation also addresses how organizations should think about standards, instructor responsibilities, evaluation systems, and the realistic limits of human learning. They highlight tools leaders can use to expose and correct blind spots: independent evaluation, scenario-based application, and deliberate debriefing. Mike and Jim emphasize the importance of professional education, continual reinforcement, and maintaining a baseline that is both realistic and mission-appropriate. Take a moment and ask yourself: Are you tired of always having to work on the lowest common denominator? Do you know what your own weaknesses are and how they can impact you? This episode helps practitioners understand their own limitations, recognize when they need help, and apply structured thinking to improve safety, efficiency, and organizational credibility. UCSD Report: UCSD students can't do basic math:  https://senate.ucsd.edu/media/740347/sawg-report-on-admissions-review-docs.pdf The Johari Window: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window  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

    1h 21m

  4. 11/15/2025

    Do You Trust Me? Credibility is Currency

    Most of us see ourselves as leaders, but a whole lot goes into "Leadership."  One of the most vital aspects of persuasion is the credibility and trust people see in you. Credibility can grow over time, and it can also be spent or wasted.   In this episode, Mike and Jim will teach us about building cred with your team, how credibility shapes a leader's ability to influence decisions, maintain team cohesion, and drive mission success. Drawing from research, philosophy, and operational experience, they outline the behaviors that strengthen trust and the missteps that erode it. Strong leadership isn't always about rank or position—it's about credibility. In high-performance teams, the credibility you have determines if you are a true influence on those around you or if you merely hold a title.  Pretty good research article on this: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9309999/ How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://amzn.to/49llmSO  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

    1h 4m

  5. 11/01/2025

    Protecting your Parents: Fraud and Scams

    Even the best of us get played from time to time. From an Air Force pilot duped into buying thousands in Sephora gift cards, to clever banking and family scams that nearly fooled even the most skeptical of us, we talk about some of the psychology and tactics behind modern frauds: urgency, authority, distraction, and good old-fashioned trust. We'll look at how scams exploit our problem-solving instincts, how technology has supercharged the game, and why protecting your family from fraud might matter more than protecting them from burglars.     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

    1h 9m

  6. 10/15/2025

    To Chase or Not to Chase: Are the Risks of a Pursuit Worth It?

    How do you stop a car that doesn't want to stop? If you see a rabbit should you chase the rabbit?   We talk about safety and statistics, what factors to weigh the risk versus reward, how policies play into decision making, what the Brits mean when they say "Red Mist," and alternatives to vehicle pursuits including the role of Air Support, PIT, The Grappler, road spikes, surveillance, and intelligence gathering.   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

    1h 13m

  7. 10/01/2025

    "Don't drop the airplane to fly the radio": Managing Bandwidth

    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

    56 min

  8. 09/15/2025

    When the US invaded Panama: Operation JUST CAUSE and the War on Drugs

    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

    1h 21m
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4.9
out of 5
95 Ratings

About

Mike is a police SWAT team member, K9 handler, and tactical medic. Jim is an Air Force pilot with a background in close air support and combat search and rescue. Our goal is to elevate the conversation about all things tactical for public safety, military, and concerned citizens. Join us to hear lessons learned about decision making, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork.

Information

  • Creator
    Tactical Tangents
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    214
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tactical Tangents 2025
  • Show Website
    Tactical Tangents

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