The letters stand for Basic Military Strategy. Though I only attained the rank of S/Sgt, I did learn something about military subjects, namely strategies. However, the first thing on the subject I learned as a boy, I think about 7th grade when I watched the movie, “Bataan.”

In the movie, one of the American soldiers was killed and the bugler started playing taps. It did not take long for the one in charge to put a stop to that. The bugler complained, “I was just…” If my memory serves me correctly, that was about as far as he got. The one in command said, “You just let the Japs know they killed one of us.” (Sorry. They used language like that back then.)

It seems a small thing but it is important. I remembered that lesson, though I never had reason to use it. Still, if had the reason, I would have known better than alert the enemy to any successes or failures he had. Indeed, to throw them off, I might have had the bugler blow taps ten times. It is called intelligence and during any war, it is very important. It did make me wonder why we reported our wounded, killed and missing in action during Vietnam. We gave them a lot of free info. I assure you, they were not about to do the same for us. At most, any such reports should have been delayed and vague. Much better to keep them in the dark as much as possible.

Another thing I found odd, then and to this day, we do telegraph troop movements. Frequently, it is reported, “We are sending 10,000 into Afghanistan.” Better that they find out the hard way. We don’t need to tell them. If anything, let’s over or under report it. Also, no need telling them when they are going to arrive. Better we should surprise them.

On the other hand, maybe we should we over report the number. Better to set them back on their heels a little until they find out different. It might be a good thing to find out we lie. That way, it will keep them even more in the dark. On the other hand, moving them in quietly works well too. No need having the reporters waiting as we go ashore. Better to have a good beachhead established before they know we’re there.

Lately, Joe really messed up with Ukraine. Basically he said he was not going to send any troops in to help them. That was kind of dumb. Wouldn’t it have been better to keep him guessing? Maybe he should have said he’d not do anything. That would sort of send in the signal that Putin could just march in and take over.

Joe spent, what..? three hours in conference with Putin trying to say what he should have said in a few seconds. “You stay out of Ukraine now.” That is all he needed to say. Then simply let Putin’s imagination run wild.

He didn’t need to make any threats. He certainly should not have said what he would or would not do. Better to let him guess. Let him spin his wheels trying to find out what might or might not happen.

Instead, he spent three hours telling Putin, “Don’t worry. We won’t fire a shot.” That sort of tells Putin, “Just march right on in. It’s all yours.”

That is certainly one bad B. M. S. Joe. If you’re listening. Here’s a hint. You didn’t scare him. The fact of the matter is, the more you talk, the less you scare your opponent. The more you talk, the more you are telling him you would really rather not fight.

One more little word. Don’t count on help from any other nations. Remember how you treated them in the Afghan retreat. Germany, France and Brittan are far less likely to want to join the party.