Hello World. Let's Try This Again.

Raymond Pritchett  (Galrahn)

It would be both foolish and self indulging to explain in any detail why I have been away for most of the last five years. It would be challenging to discuss publicly the reasons why I closed the blog for most of last year.

To keep it short and sweet... I have a career, and occasionally I am very good at it. Sometimes there are rewards, and sometimes there are restrictions, but I accept both as consequences of successfully navigating the rough seas found in ones professional journey.

It is in this time I find myself emerging again into a stable situation where my activities on this little corner of the Internet no longer represent a point of interest to those I associate with professionally. I am excited about the opportunity to reengage the discussions and build a new community online, even if it is on this old platform that has survived nearly a decade.

As I emerge from my late 30s into my 40s, it is possible I am not the same person you remember. But some things never change. With more information comes changes in my opinions. Basically, I wouldn't assume anything.

As a reminder, I would like to reiterate the rules of Information Dissemination.

1. I will not tolerate personal attacks against other people participating in this community. Be respectful to one another.
2. This is a professoinal forum, and my expectations is that all contributors will respect the professionals who leverage this forum for information, knowledge, and idea generation.
3. Do your homework if you intend to respectfully debate another community member, because the person you are debating almost certainly will have done their homework.
4. Update your Disqus profile and use the forum to network with other professionals.
5. The authors are not always right. We are here to learn as well.
6. There are no stupid questions, but there are stupid ways to ask a question. Respect the distinction.
7. If you have a short attention span, or read nonsense on the Internet and believe it, this is probably not the right community for you. Conspiracy theories are not welcome here, but well thought out and sourced theories are.
8. Have fun.

Welcome back to those who have long been part of this community. We welcome new professionals here as well.

CIMSEC's Forum For Authors and Readers

ID readers in and around the National Capital Region are invited to attend next Thursday's "Forum for Authors and Readers," hosted by the Center for International Maritime Security. The event's keynote address will be given by LCDR BJ Armstrong, naval aviator and author of 21st Century Mahan and 21st Century Sims.   

In a line up determined by CIMSEC's voting readership, six other speakers will engage with the audience on their recent works:

• The LCS and SSC Survivability Dilemma - ID's own Steven Wills 
• The Paradox of Admiral Gorshkov - Jessica Huckabey (Institute for Defense Analyses )
• Leading Where? A Reflection on Saltwater Leadership - LT Erik Sand (SECNAV Advisory Panel)
• The Evolution of Air-Sea Battle - Harry Kazianis (Senior Fellow at the China Policy Institute, University of Nottingham)
• Remember War: Prophet Makarov Ignored in his Native Land - Claude Berube (USNA)
• American Strategy in the 21st Century: Maritime Power and China - LT Jake Bebber (U.S. Cyber Command)

I will be there and look forward to seeing you there too! 

-Chris

Time: February 26, 5:00 - 7:30 PM (snacks and drinks will be provided)

Location: Steptoe & Johnson, LLP, 1330 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC. Nearest Metro: Dupont Circle. 

Please RSVP if you are planning to attend.
Follow the event live on social media at #CFAR15.