Taren Sylvester
@tcdsylvester.bsky.social
Rants about sports with forays into civil-military norms, history of military mobilization, & intl security | former CNAS | they/them | views my own
Pinned
It was a pleasure to speak at #CNAS2025 about how the U.S. can use our lessons learned to help our NATO allies face the military manpower challenges of the modern age!
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
As we honor the sacrifices of generations of trans servicemembers, their bravery inspires us to do everything we can to protect trans veterans today.
That's why ONS launched the Transgender Veterans Toolkit, a set of proven policy recommendations for state governments.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
That's why ONS launched the Transgender Veterans Toolkit, a set of proven policy recommendations for state governments.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
November 20, 2025 at 7:32 PM
As we honor the sacrifices of generations of trans servicemembers, their bravery inspires us to do everything we can to protect trans veterans today.
That's why ONS launched the Transgender Veterans Toolkit, a set of proven policy recommendations for state governments.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
That's why ONS launched the Transgender Veterans Toolkit, a set of proven policy recommendations for state governments.
Learn more: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
Exciting news! We’re partnering with @americanprogress.bsky.social to launch the Transgender Veterans Toolkit—a practical, state-focused resource for policymakers
If you work on state policy, know folks who do, or want to be part of the solution, SHARE this video.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
If you work on state policy, know folks who do, or want to be part of the solution, SHARE this video.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Exciting news! We’re partnering with @americanprogress.bsky.social to launch the Transgender Veterans Toolkit—a practical, state-focused resource for policymakers
If you work on state policy, know folks who do, or want to be part of the solution, SHARE this video.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
If you work on state policy, know folks who do, or want to be part of the solution, SHARE this video.
Learn more here: lnkd.in/gXFMYeQe
Happening now!
Join CAP and @outinnationalsecurity.org for a virtual event on November 10th launching the Transgender Veterans Toolkit for governors and state legislatures. RSVP today: https://www.americanprogress.org/events/serving-all-who-served-state-leadership-for-transgender-veterans/
Serving All Who Served: State Leadership for Transgender Veterans
Join CAP and Out in National Security for a virtual event launching the Transgender Veterans Toolkit for governors and state legislatures.
www.americanprogress.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Happening now!
Join @outinnationalsecurity.org on Mon 10 Nov @ 2pm for a virtual panel hosted by @americanprogress.bsky.social on how states can help trans veterans access healthcare, housing, & employment!
ONS's new Transgender Veterans Toolkit provides a framework for states to advance these policies!
RSVP ⬇️
ONS's new Transgender Veterans Toolkit provides a framework for states to advance these policies!
RSVP ⬇️
Serving All Who Served: State Leadership for Transgender Veterans
my1.americanprogress.org
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Join @outinnationalsecurity.org on Mon 10 Nov @ 2pm for a virtual panel hosted by @americanprogress.bsky.social on how states can help trans veterans access healthcare, housing, & employment!
ONS's new Transgender Veterans Toolkit provides a framework for states to advance these policies!
RSVP ⬇️
ONS's new Transgender Veterans Toolkit provides a framework for states to advance these policies!
RSVP ⬇️
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
when you are worried that THIS supreme court will rule against you on invoking the insurrection act, a statute that famously gives enormous deference to the president ... maybe that's a sign that your military deployments are pretty baseless
Exclusive from @nbcnews.com: Trump administration officials seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act, sources say www.nbcnews.com/politics/nat...
Trump administration officials seriously discussing invoking Insurrection Act, sources say
A decision is not expected to be imminent, one source said, but debate within the administration has shifted recently to more deeply exploring how and when the act might be invoked.
www.nbcnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
when you are worried that THIS supreme court will rule against you on invoking the insurrection act, a statute that famously gives enormous deference to the president ... maybe that's a sign that your military deployments are pretty baseless
What the poll doesn’t address is while Americans overwhelmingly desire a ‘politically neutral’ military, many see any action or inaction taken by the military under an opposing presidential administration as inherently partisan. This must be part of any future reckoning abt the role of the military
Trump is melting down cause what he is doing is really unpopular and so is he: www.reuters.com/world/us/mos...
www.reuters.com
October 8, 2025 at 7:49 PM
What the poll doesn’t address is while Americans overwhelmingly desire a ‘politically neutral’ military, many see any action or inaction taken by the military under an opposing presidential administration as inherently partisan. This must be part of any future reckoning abt the role of the military
Really excellent breakdown of the Insurrection Act
I would add that previous instances of its invocation against the wishes of a state governor was to *enforce a Supreme Court decision*. Most recently this was, as the article mentions, implementing school integration in AL
I would add that previous instances of its invocation against the wishes of a state governor was to *enforce a Supreme Court decision*. Most recently this was, as the article mentions, implementing school integration in AL
The Insurrection Act gives presidents sweeping power to deploy the military against Americans. It hasn’t been updated in 150+ years.
Joseph Nunn breaks down what you need to know about the dangerously broad, outdated, and largely unchecked power it grants.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
Joseph Nunn breaks down what you need to know about the dangerously broad, outdated, and largely unchecked power it grants.
www.brennancenter.org/our-work/res...
The Insurrection Act Explained
The law, which lets the president deploy the military domestically and use it for civilian law enforcement, is dangerously vague and in urgent need of reform.
www.brennancenter.org
October 7, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Really excellent breakdown of the Insurrection Act
I would add that previous instances of its invocation against the wishes of a state governor was to *enforce a Supreme Court decision*. Most recently this was, as the article mentions, implementing school integration in AL
I would add that previous instances of its invocation against the wishes of a state governor was to *enforce a Supreme Court decision*. Most recently this was, as the article mentions, implementing school integration in AL
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
president donald trump signed this into law in 2019
Yes, they are. "Each employee of the United States Government or of a District of Columbia public employer furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse in appropriations..." 31 USC 1341. It's not even close.
www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...
www.axios.com/2025/10/07/t...
Scoop: White House memo says furloughed federal workers aren't entitled to backpay
A move to deny backpay to up to 750,000 furloughed workers would dramatically escalate Trump's pressure on Democrats to end the shutdown.
www.axios.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:14 PM
president donald trump signed this into law in 2019
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
And here we go. I never wrote this article, and yet it is cited here.
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
October 7, 2025 at 8:17 AM
And here we go. I never wrote this article, and yet it is cited here.
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
www.liberalbriefs.com/geopolitics/...
And of course, it sounds so plausible, I seriously checked whether I had forgotten it, or the footnote was slightly wrong.
#AIisnotresearch
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
This. Moral injury is both individual and collective.
It’s also a Veteran’s health care issue. Moral injuries cause real and sometimes life crushing psychic and physical pain. And it can terribly affect their partners and children, sometimes creating homes filled with trauma that children have to learn to negotiate to survive as they grow up.
September 30, 2025 at 7:39 PM
This. Moral injury is both individual and collective.
While we're all, justifiably, reeling from today's speeches, let's also note that today is the Day for Truth & Reconciliation across North America. Take a moment to recognize and grapple with America's legacy of oppression against Indigenous people, especially children, and the military's role in it
Army Returns Remains of 9 Indigenous Children Who Died at Boarding School over a Century Ago
The children attended the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where thousands of Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced to assimilate to white society as a matter of U.S. ...
www.military.com
September 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
While we're all, justifiably, reeling from today's speeches, let's also note that today is the Day for Truth & Reconciliation across North America. Take a moment to recognize and grapple with America's legacy of oppression against Indigenous people, especially children, and the military's role in it
To reiterate: none of the combat arms standards he's mentioning are new. This has been the standard for A DECADE since combat MOSs were opened* to all service members.
*Note: women have always served in combat whether they were "allowed to," recognized, or paid for it. War doesn't discriminate.
*Note: women have always served in combat whether they were "allowed to," recognized, or paid for it. War doesn't discriminate.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth — decrying “fat generals and admirals” — outlined new rules for the “highest male standard” for fitness in combat roles.
“If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it,” he told hundreds of military leaders ordered to gather at Quantico for his speech.
“If that means no women qualify for some combat jobs, so be it,” he told hundreds of military leaders ordered to gather at Quantico for his speech.
Hegseth uses rare meeting of generals to announce new military standards
He warned commanders who don’t support the changes could leave the service.
www.politico.com
September 30, 2025 at 3:41 PM
To reiterate: none of the combat arms standards he's mentioning are new. This has been the standard for A DECADE since combat MOSs were opened* to all service members.
*Note: women have always served in combat whether they were "allowed to," recognized, or paid for it. War doesn't discriminate.
*Note: women have always served in combat whether they were "allowed to," recognized, or paid for it. War doesn't discriminate.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
Tuesday is Orange Shirt Day, when communities honor the survivors of U.S. Indian boarding schools and their descendants.
'We survived, we are resilient': Remembering U.S. Indian boarding schools
Tuesday is Orange Shirt Day, when communities honor the survivors of U.S. Indian boarding schools and their descendants.
n.pr
September 30, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Tuesday is Orange Shirt Day, when communities honor the survivors of U.S. Indian boarding schools and their descendants.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
About 25% of women in the military & 6% of men experienced sexual harassment in the past year. 7% of women experienced "unwanted sexual contact"
Fewer than a third reported it. Of those who did, 60% say they experienced retaliation.*
It's tragic that this situation will almost certainly worsen.
Fewer than a third reported it. Of those who did, 60% say they experienced retaliation.*
It's tragic that this situation will almost certainly worsen.
Hegseth: "We are overhauling an inspector general process that has been weaponized, putting complainers and poor performers in the driver seat. We are doing the same with the equal opportunity policies. No more frivolous complaints, no more anonymous complains ... no more walking on eggshells."
September 30, 2025 at 2:07 PM
About 25% of women in the military & 6% of men experienced sexual harassment in the past year. 7% of women experienced "unwanted sexual contact"
Fewer than a third reported it. Of those who did, 60% say they experienced retaliation.*
It's tragic that this situation will almost certainly worsen.
Fewer than a third reported it. Of those who did, 60% say they experienced retaliation.*
It's tragic that this situation will almost certainly worsen.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
Best thing I've ever read about AI and the academy - every line a banger
“An extraordinary amount of money is spent by the artificial intelligence industry to ensure that acquiescence is the only plausible response. But marketing is not destiny.” Out from behind the paywall: the Editors on the literature of AI resignation.
www.nplusonemag.com/issue-51/the...
www.nplusonemag.com/issue-51/the...
Large Language Muddle | The Editors
The AI upheaval is unique in its ability to metabolize any number of dread-inducing transformations. The university is becoming more corporate, more politically oppressive, and all but hostile to the ...
www.nplusonemag.com
September 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Best thing I've ever read about AI and the academy - every line a banger
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
The wizard works on revising his research paper.
September 9, 2025 at 3:00 PM
The wizard works on revising his research paper.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
“As a functional matter, the US government is simply out of the business of disaster aid globally...it’s done huge damage.”
The US stopped showing up to disasters. The results are horrifying.
Emergency response’s newfound sluggishness, explained by earthquakes and landslides.
www.vox.com
September 9, 2025 at 11:59 AM
“As a functional matter, the US government is simply out of the business of disaster aid globally...it’s done huge damage.”
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
The Defense Department is not a “brand,” and treating it as such insults the men and women who serve. In the real world, Trump does not get to name and rename entities established by law.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Words & Phrases We Could do Without
The military is not a cereal box to be ‘rebranded’
open.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 12:03 PM
The Defense Department is not a “brand,” and treating it as such insults the men and women who serve. In the real world, Trump does not get to name and rename entities established by law.
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
open.substack.com/pub/contrari...
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
Just remember, Trump doesn't have the power to just change the name of the DoD. Except if he does change the name and nobody bothers to actually stop him, he absolutely does have the power to do it.
Pentagon expected to become ‘Department of War’ as US cities brace for Trump’s next national guard deployment – live
Pentagon expected to become ‘Department of War’ as US cities brace for Trump’s next national guard deployment – live
Move to rename Pentagon could cost tens of millions of dollars, with letterheads and signs needing to be changed; Chicago and Boston brace for troops after Trump’s threats this week
*
Trump expected to order rebrand of Pentagon as ‘Department of War’
*
Chicago gears up for Trump’s national guard deployment
Tensions between Michelle Wu, the mayor of Boston, and the Trump administration have been escalating in recent months over the administration’s aggressive immigration policies, with reports now signaling the possibility of a federal immigration enforcement surge in the city.
The friction came to a head last week when the Trump administration reportedly began preparing an “immigration enforcement blitz” for Boston in the coming weeks, according to Politico. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Just remember, Trump doesn't have the power to just change the name of the DoD. Except if he does change the name and nobody bothers to actually stop him, he absolutely does have the power to do it.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
So, sending troops to Chicago or Baltimore would be much more complicated than either LA or DC.
🧵
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@lindsaypcohn.bsky.social do you have any insight on the authority to operate in IL? I get the base but leaving the base what stops local cops from stopping them?
Pritzker: "I refuse to pretend that any of this is normal ... I refuse to fall into the pundit trap that demands we sacrifice vital constitutional rights if it's being done in the fake guise of fighting crime."
September 2, 2025 at 11:01 PM
So, sending troops to Chicago or Baltimore would be much more complicated than either LA or DC.
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
Robert E. Lee killed more U.S. troops in battle than Adolph Hitler and Osama bin Laden combined
The Pentagon is restoring a portrait of Gen. Robert E. Lee, which includes a slave guiding the Confederate general’s horse in the background, to the West Point library three years after a congressionally mandated commission ordered it removed, officials said.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/u...
Pentagon Is Reinstalling Portrait of Confederate General at West Point Library
www.nytimes.com
August 29, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Robert E. Lee killed more U.S. troops in battle than Adolph Hitler and Osama bin Laden combined
Only a small percentage of officers will attend a service academy but their graduates will always be among the highest echelon of military leaders. How we train and educate cadets & midshipmen today will impact the professionalism of the force tomorrow.
These decisions will be felt for years.
These decisions will be felt for years.
Inside Pete Hegseth’s civilian purge at West Point: What do Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have against soldiers listening to civilians?
Inside Pete Hegseth’s Civilian Purge at West Point
What do Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth have against soldiers listening to civilians?
www.politico.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Only a small percentage of officers will attend a service academy but their graduates will always be among the highest echelon of military leaders. How we train and educate cadets & midshipmen today will impact the professionalism of the force tomorrow.
These decisions will be felt for years.
These decisions will be felt for years.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
What national guard troops can and can’t do in Washington trib.al/Z7ppyVZ
What national guard troops can and can’t do in Washington
National Guard troops called to Washington, D.C. face complex legal rules on the streets. The rules would be even vaguer in other cities.
trib.al
August 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
What national guard troops can and can’t do in Washington trib.al/Z7ppyVZ
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
What's gone unsaid in all this talk about homeless people in DC is that so many in the Capital are veterans who are now having the military aimed back at them for the crime of being poor.
REPORTER: Why are troops stationed here at Union Station and at the National Mall instead of areas where crime is higher?
JD VANCE: Crime is actually extremely high here at Union Station. You have vagrants.
JD VANCE: Crime is actually extremely high here at Union Station. You have vagrants.
August 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM
What's gone unsaid in all this talk about homeless people in DC is that so many in the Capital are veterans who are now having the military aimed back at them for the crime of being poor.
Reposted by Taren Sylvester
We can't let them normalize utilizing the military for domestic law enforcement. It should not be easy or convenient. It should be a difficult decision a president considers in only rare, emergency situations. And once it becomes routine, it isn't easily undone.
And here you go. I honestly do not understand the moral cowardice that leads some of our fellow citizens to not speak out against what's going on.
August 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
We can't let them normalize utilizing the military for domestic law enforcement. It should not be easy or convenient. It should be a difficult decision a president considers in only rare, emergency situations. And once it becomes routine, it isn't easily undone.