Desert Storm — The Real Lessons Learned goes beyond the highlight reels, green-night-vision footage, and easy myths of America’s most celebrated modern war. In this episode of Mil History Talk, Hope and Brian dig into what Operation Desert Storm actually taught the U.S. military—and just as importantly, what it didn’t.

With her trademark wit, pop-culture analogies, and a quick nod to Clausewitz (because of course), Hope challenges the idea of Desert Storm as a flawless blueprint for future war. Brian grounds the conversation with sober analysis, unpacking operational success, logistical brilliance, and the institutional assumptions that followed. Together, they explore how overwhelming victory shaped doctrine, expectations, and strategic blind spots that later conflicts would brutally expose.

This is not a takedown—it’s a recalibration. If you’ve ever wondered how one stunning victory could still leave dangerous lessons misunderstood, this episode connects Desert Storm to the wars that followed—and the ones still ahead.

For a more detailed discussion, see the article on substack: Mil History Talk | Louis DiMarco | Substack

In the years after Vietnam, the U.S. Army faced a crisis unlike anything in its modern history. Discipline collapsed, morale cratered, and trust between soldiers, leaders, and the institution itself eroded—sometimes violently. Senior leaders used a word the Army rarely admits: broken.

In this episode of Mil History Talk, Hope and Brian dig into how the Army reached that point. They examine the corrosive effects of an unpopular war, a draft system widely perceived as unfair, racial tension, drug abuse, leadership instability, and the loss of legitimacy that followed the force home from Vietnam.

But this is not just a story of failure. The final portion of the episode explores how the Army rebuilt itself—ending the draft, transitioning to an All-Volunteer Force, restoring discipline, modernizing training and doctrine, improving pay and living conditions, and reinvesting in professionalism.

The highly disciplined force that fought in Desert Storm did not appear by accident. It was rebuilt—painfully and deliberately—from the ashes of the Vietnam-era Army.

See a more detailed article at: Fixing a Broken Army - by Louis DiMarco - Mil History Talk

Air War Vietnam explores one of the central paradoxes of modern warfare: how the United States achieved overwhelming airpower dominance in Southeast Asia yet failed to secure strategic victory.

In this episode of Mil History Talk, Hope and Brian examine the Vietnam air war from Rolling Thunder (1965–1968) through Arc Light, Linebacker I, and Linebacker II in 1972, explaining why massive bombing campaigns and advanced technology did not translate into political success. Hope drives the conversation with sharp questions, humor, and pop-culture comparisons, while Brian provides clear, grounded analysis of escalation, coercion, and strategic misalignment.

Together, they unpack the critical difference between tactical and operational success on the battlefield and true strategic decision at the political level. The episode also explores how North Vietnam adapted, endured punishment, and turned time into a strategic advantage—highlighting the enduring relevance of Clausewitz’s insights on war, will, and passion.

Air War Vietnam is not a critique of airpower itself, but a reminder that airpower only works when it is anchored to a coherent strategy and achievable political goals.

See the more detailed written article on our substack: Air War Vietnam - by Louis DiMarco - Mil History Talk