Ben Griffin
@bengriffin06
Historian and nerd who writes about pop culture and strategy. Author of Reagan’s War Stories: A Cold War Presidency. Stories we tell and enjoy matter. Imagined World Orders: Tom Clancy and US National Security forthcoming. Go Army!
When we were engaged, my wife and I joked about avoiding the wedding stress by just running off to Vegas. Paid that joke off earlier this week.
Was an incredible privilege to command the last two years, excited for what's next but will always miss the 229th.
Great day with all 7 companies competing across 9 events in the Griffin Games (not named for me). B Co earned the trophy for the 3rd straight year.
Twenty years ago today. The Army's been very good to me and my family. Looking forward to more years of service.
Spent some time at the USS Arizona Memorial today, my second time there (last was 19 years ago) and my appreciation of its beauty and power has grown. An incredible site.
We ran a Norwegian Foot March starting at 0100 today. Route required 3 laps with one stretch 2 miles uphill. 150+ participants. Seeing a ton of tired, sweaty, sore but happy Soldiers celebrate as the sun rose will be one of my favorite moments of command.
Went whale watching with the family, lots of gray whales off Monterey right now.
Great LPD today on the value of games and strategic thought. Had the team play either Pandemic or Settlers and discussed the challenges of cooperative va competitive spaces, handling challenges in time and space, understanding adversaries, and knowing the operational environment.
I wrote this for the conclusion of The Future of Air and Space Power: Intersections of Theory and Technology a couple years ago. I think it's held up well in the time between writing and publication. www.airuniversity.af.edu/AUPress/Disp...
Did a food drive ruck yesterday, donated a literal ton of food to local food banks. Go Army!
Great tribunal of dads moment @xoofxos.bsky.social. Took Patrick early to Pokefest to get a free plush, I gave mine to a toddler whose family arrived too late. Kid’s dad nodded and shock my hand. As we were leaving an hour later, same dad gave Patrick a pack of cards. Great dad energy all around.
Achieved a lifelong dream a couple weeks ago and got a home run ball in a game. Justified not throwing it back since that is a Wrigley Field thing and the usher very kindly asked me not to.
Thanks to ABMC I got the chance to see The Great War and the Great Gatsby at Carnegie Hall last night. Very interesting and entertaining show incorporating history, literature and music. Had a lot of fun and am glad I got to see it in such a historic venue!
Wrote a book about Clancy and the 80s and it took a random conversation tonight about what is/is not a Christmas movie to make me realize that McTiernan featured bears with red bows as presents in both Die Hard and Hunt for Red October...
I shouted for joy when I saw the cover of my book for the first time.
Nice to leave work and walk to a soccer match. Go Army, Beat Colgate!
My dice continue to be unreal. Needed to roll under a 5 ona D100 in a game with @xoofxos.bsky.social @therjhw.bsky.social and @cuddlyonmain.bsky.social, the result:
Trying to spur the French to victory in the Battle of Forbach-Spichern
My last sunflower finally bloomed this week. Ended up being just a bit shorter than me.