Forwarded by MG Paul Vallely US Army (ret)
11.6.2026
My fellow Army warrior, LTG Mike Flynn, wrote an outstanding article of recommendations to President Trump on follow up actions by him as a result of the recent election. I totally agree with his assessment and follow-on actions!
| Dear Mr. POTUS
The battle of 2026 may have ended in “bloodshed” but the war for the soul of America continues. You sir, still have the responsibility to ensure the preservation and protection of our constitution. Below are some ideas as you awaken and examine the aftermath of yesterday’s massacre (there is no other way to describe it). Overcoming failure in battle requires accepting responsibility, analyzing the root cause(s), and shifting one’s focus from the setback itself to your next immediate response. In the U.S. military we use to follow a disciplined “lessons learned” process. We called it the AAR (After Action Review). The AAR is designed to make us better. Take it to heart. The AAR, if done correctly is an honest, if not brutal, assessment of what happened, how did it happen, and what can be done to fix it in the future. First, we must understand the following strategies to overcome defeat: 1. Acknowledge and Own the Failure: Stop shifting blame or masking the reality of what happened; digest the failure directly so you can use it as fuel to move out smartly into the future. 2. Change the Formula: Failure with a proper response can return to success. Understand that the initial loss is not what defines you. Your immediate reaction and adjustments will. Essentially, it’s not that bad things happen to people, businesses, military formations, or even nations; they always do. That is not how you will be defined. How you will be defined is what you do to overcome those bad things. 3. Deconstruct the Root Causes: Evaluate factors like preparation, promises made & not kept, leadership (your own and those in your inner circle), and tactical (on the ground) execution and strategic decision making at the highest levels of your team to include your own. Now is NOT the time to sit and self-loathe nor cry in your corn flakes. Instead of allowing yourself to spiral into a selfish woe is me curled up fetal position, as an American president, you must awaken yourself to awaken the nation. Now is the time for great leadership to arise. Do you have it in you? 4. Rely on Your Team (but understand this same core team may be part of the problem): It may be high time to lean on others; your peers, outside supporters, former adversaries, a group of advisors who only want America to succeed (if America succeeds, you succeed). These things need to be said. Most of all, humble yourself quietly before God and pray. Many other great U.S. presidents who faced failure in our storied past did and it seemed to work for them. Find an inner strength and hold yourself accountable first and then you can hold others accountable. 5. Set a Clear Next Objective: Break your path forward into small, manageable tasks or re-aim for a distinct end-state or set of end-states. What got you to where you are today? Why did We The People trust to place you into the highest office in the land (again)? What were our expectations and why were they not met? Consider creating a new set of criteria given the conditions our nation faces (ie., domestic disunity and foreign policy disasters). No need to start from scratch but clearly you must wipe the slate clean in some critical areas then fill them with a renewed sense of energy and urgency. I’ll finish here. That is enough for now. There is a great deal of work and much sacrifice ahead. The American people are a hopeful lot who want only what is best for our families, our homes, our communities and our country. Start there. Now is the time to take control of the things only you can control. An American in service to nation. Out. |
