EPISODE 69
KILLING GROSSMAN:
UNDERSTANDING ON COMBAT AND ON KILLING
Mike and Jim discuss one of the most controversial figures in tactical thought: LTC Dave Grossman
Lt. Col. Dave Grossman is a retired military psychology teacher who wrote the books On Combat and On Killing. They were some of the first attempts to help people understand the psychological experience of killing from the perspective the armed forces and survival-oriented crowds, but because they were such early works some of his theories don’t hold up long-term. We discuss these issues and how the tactical telephone game and caricature views of violence through things like Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs can be problematic.
Like what we’re doing? Head over to Patreon and give us a buck for each new episode. You can also make a one-time contribution at GoFundMe.
Intro music credit Bensound.com
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE NOW ON YOUR FAVORITE PLAYER
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! PLEASE GO CHECK THEM OUT
Recent Episodes
We Are Watching You – License Plate Readers and Modern Surveillance
The question isn’t whether the system exists — it’s whether it works for you, or on you.
Guardians and Warriors: What type of Cop are you?
Let’s talk through common policing archetypes—Guardian, Warrior, Enforcer, Crime Fighter, Cynic, Power Seeker, and Pragmatist—not as fixed identities, but as adaptive responses to situational demands. The central argument is simple but challenging: effective policing requires the ability to shift modes deliberately. Leaders must know when to assert force, when to prioritize consent, and when to lean on others to stay grounded. This episode is a call for self-awareness, professional maturity, and dynamic leadership—not slogans, costumes, or rigid identities.
0 Comments