Matt Montazzoli
@legalleadtheway.bsky.social
| Law of War | LOAC | Int’l Humanitarian Law |
🇺🇸 Army JAG lawyer.
Personal opinions, no employer endorsement, nothing here is legal advice.
RLTW!
🇺🇸 Army JAG lawyer.
Personal opinions, no employer endorsement, nothing here is legal advice.
RLTW!
Six months ago I would have been champing at the bit to apply.
November 26, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Six months ago I would have been champing at the bit to apply.
If this is dad rock, I’m dad.
the rising - bruce springsteen open.spotify.com/track/2czBvz... (dad rock par excellence)
The Rising
open.spotify.com
November 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM
If this is dad rock, I’m dad.
MTA (maybe Thanksgiving appropriate) rapid prototype.
November 23, 2025 at 4:08 AM
MTA (maybe Thanksgiving appropriate) rapid prototype.
Miss me with this crap when Volvo won’t fix a known engine issue on a V60 I bought new because it was *1 month* past the “courtesy recall” date.
My American love story burns a quart a month because CCP-owned Swedes can’t make a piston ring.
My American love story burns a quart a month because CCP-owned Swedes can’t make a piston ring.
November 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Miss me with this crap when Volvo won’t fix a known engine issue on a V60 I bought new because it was *1 month* past the “courtesy recall” date.
My American love story burns a quart a month because CCP-owned Swedes can’t make a piston ring.
My American love story burns a quart a month because CCP-owned Swedes can’t make a piston ring.
Not stunting on Cav, but taking the opportunity to flog a hobby horse of mine: “funny” objective or operation names are funny until it comes time for a Primary Next of Kin brief for the kid killed on the op.
We had an op where we air inserted two platoons on a mountain to sweep down through a village while a third platoon blocked on the road at the bottom.
The Operation Double Penetration CONOP was approved at brigade level.
The Operation Double Penetration CONOP was approved at brigade level.
Non-zero chance that's exactly what they are and someone in the 3 shop named them that as a joke, thinking a higher ranking person would catch it and change it later.
November 16, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Not stunting on Cav, but taking the opportunity to flog a hobby horse of mine: “funny” objective or operation names are funny until it comes time for a Primary Next of Kin brief for the kid killed on the op.
The dumbest people in the world shout for Bellum Romanum because they think it’s all “the ram has touched the gate” & “salt the earth” but can’t find enough brain cells to rub together to learn context.
Few men at any point committed the Roman people to do more 'nation-building' than Scipio Africanus.
Augustus was mopping up the last of the fallout of Scipio Africanus' decisions in Spain in 25 BC, 158 years after Scipio Africanus was dead.
Augustus was mopping up the last of the fallout of Scipio Africanus' decisions in Spain in 25 BC, 158 years after Scipio Africanus was dead.
November 8, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The dumbest people in the world shout for Bellum Romanum because they think it’s all “the ram has touched the gate” & “salt the earth” but can’t find enough brain cells to rub together to learn context.
I inherited a campaign button in high school that said “come back Truman, all is forgiven.”
A strong, integrated military. Robust support for the Atlantic Alliance. Bloodless, flannel suit wearing killers in the IC.
Aggressive civil rights reforms and national health insurance at home, the Marshall Plan abroad.
And a 91% marginal tax rate.
Aggressive civil rights reforms and national health insurance at home, the Marshall Plan abroad.
And a 91% marginal tax rate.
November 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
I inherited a campaign button in high school that said “come back Truman, all is forgiven.”
Stamina/durability is key, even in “modern” war.
Even during ‘drone’ heavy campaign in AFG as a lawyer, 18-20 hour days & broken sleep were absolutely the norm.
Our cognition software runs on biological hardware - doesn’t matter how smart/technically good you are if you can’t hang.
Even during ‘drone’ heavy campaign in AFG as a lawyer, 18-20 hour days & broken sleep were absolutely the norm.
Our cognition software runs on biological hardware - doesn’t matter how smart/technically good you are if you can’t hang.
November 2, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Stamina/durability is key, even in “modern” war.
Even during ‘drone’ heavy campaign in AFG as a lawyer, 18-20 hour days & broken sleep were absolutely the norm.
Our cognition software runs on biological hardware - doesn’t matter how smart/technically good you are if you can’t hang.
Even during ‘drone’ heavy campaign in AFG as a lawyer, 18-20 hour days & broken sleep were absolutely the norm.
Our cognition software runs on biological hardware - doesn’t matter how smart/technically good you are if you can’t hang.
Almost every time I drop off my kids I tell them “be safe and have fun!”
Like the idea a similarly cringe Roman dad had that sentiment put into the floor of his villa a couple millennium ago.
Like the idea a similarly cringe Roman dad had that sentiment put into the floor of his villa a couple millennium ago.
2,400 year-old skeleton mosaic reads:
“Be cheerful, enjoy your life”
Discovered in Turkey
“Be cheerful, enjoy your life”
Discovered in Turkey
October 31, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Almost every time I drop off my kids I tell them “be safe and have fun!”
Like the idea a similarly cringe Roman dad had that sentiment put into the floor of his villa a couple millennium ago.
Like the idea a similarly cringe Roman dad had that sentiment put into the floor of his villa a couple millennium ago.
Seems to me if one can safely do it, it would be an effective tactic to mock any and all masked state agents one encounters like the woulda-enlisted, needle-dick losers they know they are.
October 31, 2025 at 8:56 PM
Seems to me if one can safely do it, it would be an effective tactic to mock any and all masked state agents one encounters like the woulda-enlisted, needle-dick losers they know they are.
Reposted by Matt Montazzoli
you can dress it up all kinds of ways but the argument basically boils down to this guy putting his commitment to being a soldier over his commitment to the values of the constitution
it's a fundamentally morally vacuous position
it's a fundamentally morally vacuous position
Hard to imagine a more sinister & dangerous argument, couched in euphemism & high-minded language. "This essay does not argue liberalism will collapse, only that [US] military officers should be intellectually (and spiritually) prepared for alternatives." warontherocks.com/2025/10/the-...
The American Military Officer After Liberalism
Across academia, government, and Silicon Valley, on social media, and in leading journals, intellectuals and political leaders are openly debating what
warontherocks.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:31 AM
you can dress it up all kinds of ways but the argument basically boils down to this guy putting his commitment to being a soldier over his commitment to the values of the constitution
it's a fundamentally morally vacuous position
it's a fundamentally morally vacuous position
Reposted by Matt Montazzoli
when i unfollow all the heat sucks people
October 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
when i unfollow all the heat sucks people
A fun heuristic for how a commander is going to treat their JA is the recency of their most recent divorce.
With one notable exception, JAG-haters I have run across have been very mediocre officers.
With one notable exception, JAG-haters I have run across have been very mediocre officers.
Real Gs talk to JAG about ops and targeting. Petulant never-weres think JAGs wrote the ROE for their daily walks around the white space.
October 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
A fun heuristic for how a commander is going to treat their JA is the recency of their most recent divorce.
With one notable exception, JAG-haters I have run across have been very mediocre officers.
With one notable exception, JAG-haters I have run across have been very mediocre officers.
Reposted by Matt Montazzoli
“The Caribbean Strikes and the Collapse of Legal Oversight in U.S. Military Operations”
By @seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/123172/carib...
By @seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/123172/carib...
Caribbean Strikes and Collapse of Legal Oversight in U.S. Military
Congress and the public must address the pressures imposed on public servants and defend the guardrails that protect U.S. forces and democracy.
www.justsecurity.org
October 23, 2025 at 1:15 PM
“The Caribbean Strikes and the Collapse of Legal Oversight in U.S. Military Operations”
By @seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/123172/carib...
By @seharrison7.bsky.social and @marknevitt.bsky.social
www.justsecurity.org/123172/carib...
International Humanitarian Law/Law of War is a balance b/t military necessity & humanity.
Francis Lieber, who wrote foundational treatise, said “[t]he more vigorously wars are pursued, the better it is for humanity. Sharp wars are brief.”
Francis Lieber, who wrote foundational treatise, said “[t]he more vigorously wars are pursued, the better it is for humanity. Sharp wars are brief.”
the Geneva convention is not a set of abstract moral principles. it's a set of rules that are designed so that you can still fight a war following them and win. because otherwise no one would ever follow them.
October 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
International Humanitarian Law/Law of War is a balance b/t military necessity & humanity.
Francis Lieber, who wrote foundational treatise, said “[t]he more vigorously wars are pursued, the better it is for humanity. Sharp wars are brief.”
Francis Lieber, who wrote foundational treatise, said “[t]he more vigorously wars are pursued, the better it is for humanity. Sharp wars are brief.”
"Lethality and honor must coexist in a democratic society’s armed forces."
October 15, 2025 at 12:38 AM
"Lethality and honor must coexist in a democratic society’s armed forces."
“All law is fiscal law” he muttered to himself, scratching another hash mark into the unseen bricks, joining dozen of its fellow travelers in the darkness.
"Money Colors Are A Thing" I shriek, as I am walled up like Fortunato
October 14, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“All law is fiscal law” he muttered to himself, scratching another hash mark into the unseen bricks, joining dozen of its fellow travelers in the darkness.
Vote curlew or GTFO.
Australian bird of the year 2025: vote for your favourite #birdoftheyear in the Guardian / BirdLife Australia poll
From little penguins to (very big) cassowaries, every bird has its fans. Vote for your favourite in the 2025 Guardian/BirdLife Australia poll
www.theguardian.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Vote curlew or GTFO.
One of the things I love about Ranger Regiment is that it remains tethered to the Big Army.
Officers regularly do command/staff in line units b/t 75RR tours. NCOs do “charter time” in reg army units (tho this is unevenly enforced).
Abram’s/Wickham’s Charters demand Rangers improve our whole Army.
Officers regularly do command/staff in line units b/t 75RR tours. NCOs do “charter time” in reg army units (tho this is unevenly enforced).
Abram’s/Wickham’s Charters demand Rangers improve our whole Army.
October 5, 2025 at 9:18 PM
One of the things I love about Ranger Regiment is that it remains tethered to the Big Army.
Officers regularly do command/staff in line units b/t 75RR tours. NCOs do “charter time” in reg army units (tho this is unevenly enforced).
Abram’s/Wickham’s Charters demand Rangers improve our whole Army.
Officers regularly do command/staff in line units b/t 75RR tours. NCOs do “charter time” in reg army units (tho this is unevenly enforced).
Abram’s/Wickham’s Charters demand Rangers improve our whole Army.
Story about when the proto-campus debate bigot visited Hawaii, and found bigotry was no match for Aloha.
Also wild Rockwell was doing neo-nazi, shoah-denying speaking tours *in living memory of vets who liberated the camps.*
Also wild Rockwell was doing neo-nazi, shoah-denying speaking tours *in living memory of vets who liberated the camps.*
Lee Cataluna: When Hate Speech Is Too Much. Even For The Aloha Spirit
The University of Hawaiʻi once hosted a political provocateur under the banner of diversity. Here's what happened.
www.civilbeat.org
October 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Story about when the proto-campus debate bigot visited Hawaii, and found bigotry was no match for Aloha.
Also wild Rockwell was doing neo-nazi, shoah-denying speaking tours *in living memory of vets who liberated the camps.*
Also wild Rockwell was doing neo-nazi, shoah-denying speaking tours *in living memory of vets who liberated the camps.*
Live footage of me piloting the rented pontoon boats from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
October 4, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Live footage of me piloting the rented pontoon boats from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
I for one am excited to receive a GWOD service ribbon in lieu of a retirement award.
“This is not stretching the envelope,” Geoffrey Corn said. “This is shredding it."
On administration's confidential note to Congress
Completely right.
Drug cartels not = "armed conflict"
The people killed are civilians
Corn is retired judge advocate general, former Army law-of-war senior adviser
On administration's confidential note to Congress
Completely right.
Drug cartels not = "armed conflict"
The people killed are civilians
Corn is retired judge advocate general, former Army law-of-war senior adviser
Trump ‘Determined’ the U.S. Is Now in a War With Drug Cartels, Congress Is Told
www.nytimes.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:17 PM
I for one am excited to receive a GWOD service ribbon in lieu of a retirement award.
Reposted by Matt Montazzoli
I'd love the vetbro "THE ROES MADE BY WOKE LAWYERS AND DESK JOCKEY OFFICERS MADE US LOSE" crowd to explain why neither the Russian military nor the Israeli military—despite having committed war crimes and killed civilians for years now—have achieved a single one of their military objectives.
October 2, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I'd love the vetbro "THE ROES MADE BY WOKE LAWYERS AND DESK JOCKEY OFFICERS MADE US LOSE" crowd to explain why neither the Russian military nor the Israeli military—despite having committed war crimes and killed civilians for years now—have achieved a single one of their military objectives.
Departures can be characterized as proof of “woke ideology” as opposed to objection to increasing politicization and misuse of the armed forces.
I worry it becomes a scarlet letter for future employment prospects or veterans benefits if we don’t come out of this.
I worry it becomes a scarlet letter for future employment prospects or veterans benefits if we don’t come out of this.
If mil leaders don’t buy the message, they can keep quiet or self-select out. Those who don’t want to be part of politicized military (or agree w/ the ideology) leave. This aims to weed out committed professionals who strongly adhere to norms of nonpartisanship. 6/
October 1, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Departures can be characterized as proof of “woke ideology” as opposed to objection to increasing politicization and misuse of the armed forces.
I worry it becomes a scarlet letter for future employment prospects or veterans benefits if we don’t come out of this.
I worry it becomes a scarlet letter for future employment prospects or veterans benefits if we don’t come out of this.