Brook Bowen

Note to self, but I figured others need the reminder too. Pay up. Earn your keep. You owe it to yourself. You owe it to your family. You owe it to your teammates. You owe it to your profession. It’s more than showing up.

Finally got the students to work through some rehearsals on tape houses with the mission planning/prep time we provided them. Bravo team was working through different solutions, discussing angles and contingencies.

You can’t fake the funk. There’s no amount of courses you can take to replace being there and doing the deed. I don’t think I need to say anymore. Real recognizes real and can see straight through the bu****it, no matter how confident the salesman or slick the video is.

Lease the night. Lights, lasers and NVG training & night fire. Better know your kit in daylight, low-light and no-light. 🟢🟢

Be a good dad. You don’t have to be a great dad, just show up. Be there, set a good example, listen to their stories, answer their questions, protect them, provide for them, make an effort.

I worked long days and went TDY often and I always wondered how that would affect my sons. Was I there enough to set a good example? Did I share enough life lessons to build fine young men? Do they value my advice? The worse part was I didn’t get confirmation until they both hit their 20s. I’m proud of them both and cherish our relationships very much.

Thoughts on the revamped logo?

Night Vision fam and skills training with the locals.

I don’t know how many times I have asked about SOPs and have received one the following responses:
-“Yeah” but can’t explain or recite it
-Team members stare at the TLs blankly waiting for them to recite them
-Team member gets corrected by the TL/senior member when trying to recite them
-Conflicting explanations from team members
-No one has an answer
-Recites a “national standard” that’s not applicable to the teams mission/capabilities
-“We are in the process of writing them down” (still)

It’s simple, there’s nothing standard if the whole team doesn’t know and understand it. Foster an environment where the standard is everyone knows the SOP. It starts with having them codified, written down or digitized. Everyone needs to know where to find them. They should be discussed during training. They should be evaluated and reworked as new training, tools, laws and TTPs evolve. Mandate they are learned.

At an individual level, seek them out and learn them. Teach your peers what they are and hold them accountable to know them. It’s not just the TLs responsibility.

Early on I was guilty of not knowing them and even as a new leader I was guilty of not holding myself and the team accountable for knowing them. I made mistakes and have learned a lot from them. Let’s bring back professionals to the profession.

By definition, it just isn’t. If you’re in a position of leadership, you have to step up, act, take charge, set the example, make the hard decisions, guide your troops, motivate your subordinates, set the intent, define success, hold superiors accountable as you do the subordinates, guide the team, maintain integrity, fu***ng lead. Too many people end up in positions of leadership and only react. They wait for others to carry the team, make decisions, problems to arise, procedures to fail or be forced to take action. Thats not leadership, that’s not even management at that point.

No matter how you got to that position. No matter what your experience is before you land in that chair. You have to grow and take ownership that now you are required to lead. Be a good leader.

Just received my copy of “Rewild Your Mind” from just need some down time to enjoy his words of wisdom. The two biggest things after a supportive family that improves my mental being is outdoors and fitness. I grew up in the PNW and have always loved the outdoors. Being in the woods or near the water has always improved my mood. You can find copies available on Amazon.

Thanks to Jason at for the advice on my first personal thermal scope. Hoping to put it to good use next month with some good friends out in west Texas. Jason is the owner and personally called me back to answer all my questions and make recommendations based on my needs and budget. Thanks to for the recommendation to reach out to Feral Texas Outdoors.