Mark Hertling
@markhertling.bsky.social
Former soldier. Student of leadership & national security. Now a teacher, author, speaker & analyst. Always looking for civility…and new adventures.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hertling-dba-57987066
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-hertling-dba-57987066
Thursday in Gettysburg, one of my favorite places, speaking about civil-military relations with @charliesykes.substack.com.web.brid.gy alongside @milestaylor.bsky.social @conorlambpa.bsky.social @walshfreedom.bsky.social then later leader a battlefield tour. Thanks to @Principles_1st
November 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Thursday in Gettysburg, one of my favorite places, speaking about civil-military relations with @charliesykes.substack.com.web.brid.gy alongside @milestaylor.bsky.social @conorlambpa.bsky.social @walshfreedom.bsky.social then later leader a battlefield tour. Thanks to @Principles_1st
This guy? I might recommend an eye exam. 😊
October 27, 2025 at 2:26 AM
This guy? I might recommend an eye exam. 😊
She took these and the other photos?
September 25, 2025 at 9:40 PM
She took these and the other photos?
On Wednesday, my friend MG (retired) John Raaen - the last living Ranger who was in the first wave on D-Day - was presented the Congressional Gold Medal. It was an honor to be at this humble soldier’s ceremony.
September 18, 2025 at 4:36 AM
On Wednesday, my friend MG (retired) John Raaen - the last living Ranger who was in the first wave on D-Day - was presented the Congressional Gold Medal. It was an honor to be at this humble soldier’s ceremony.
A friend called asking if I had posted on Facebook about Charlie Kirk.
Since I’m not on Facebook, and I wouldn’t have posted about him if I was, please keep in mind the bots are active in stoking division.
Here’s the post:
Since I’m not on Facebook, and I wouldn’t have posted about him if I was, please keep in mind the bots are active in stoking division.
Here’s the post:
September 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
A friend called asking if I had posted on Facebook about Charlie Kirk.
Since I’m not on Facebook, and I wouldn’t have posted about him if I was, please keep in mind the bots are active in stoking division.
Here’s the post:
Since I’m not on Facebook, and I wouldn’t have posted about him if I was, please keep in mind the bots are active in stoking division.
Here’s the post:
Happy to share I’ve signed a book contract to publish “If I Don’t Return,” letters to my sons from Desert Storm. Book will publish in early 2026.
September 8, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Happy to share I’ve signed a book contract to publish “If I Don’t Return,” letters to my sons from Desert Storm. Book will publish in early 2026.
There is an AI generated photo of me on Facebook. I want all my friends who may see this account to report it as fake, as I haven’t been on Facebook since 2016. Thanks. The age of disinformation is upon us.
August 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
There is an AI generated photo of me on Facebook. I want all my friends who may see this account to report it as fake, as I haven’t been on Facebook since 2016. Thanks. The age of disinformation is upon us.
After 2 weeks away & a 14-hour flight home, what an awesome surprise in the mail! Thanks, @danielsilvabooks.bsky.social & @jamiegangel.bsky.social for sending this our way!!!
(Btw, finished The Black Widow on the flight…it’s currently #1 of the 24 I’ve read so far!)
(Btw, finished The Black Widow on the flight…it’s currently #1 of the 24 I’ve read so far!)
July 17, 2025 at 1:03 AM
After 2 weeks away & a 14-hour flight home, what an awesome surprise in the mail! Thanks, @danielsilvabooks.bsky.social & @jamiegangel.bsky.social for sending this our way!!!
(Btw, finished The Black Widow on the flight…it’s currently #1 of the 24 I’ve read so far!)
(Btw, finished The Black Widow on the flight…it’s currently #1 of the 24 I’ve read so far!)
In Riga, Latvia today. Like other Baltic & Nordic countries I’ve been to on this trip all are flying their flag next to Ukraine’s flag on govt buildings & many private homes and businesses.
They’ve broken their suppression by Russia & they’ve gained freedom. They get it!
They’ve broken their suppression by Russia & they’ve gained freedom. They get it!
July 12, 2025 at 11:50 AM
In Riga, Latvia today. Like other Baltic & Nordic countries I’ve been to on this trip all are flying their flag next to Ukraine’s flag on govt buildings & many private homes and businesses.
They’ve broken their suppression by Russia & they’ve gained freedom. They get it!
They’ve broken their suppression by Russia & they’ve gained freedom. They get it!
What I’m seeing in the Nordic and Baltic area only reinforces my belief in the strength of the NATO alliance.
July 11, 2025 at 2:46 PM
What I’m seeing in the Nordic and Baltic area only reinforces my belief in the strength of the NATO alliance.
Westerplatte war memorial in Gdansk
July 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Westerplatte war memorial in Gdansk
At Fort Cavazos/Hood today where a young man I know just took command of the IRONHORSE Brigade. Proud of our son.
June 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
At Fort Cavazos/Hood today where a young man I know just took command of the IRONHORSE Brigade. Proud of our son.
Happy 250th Birthday to OUR Army.
These are the kinds of memories I’ll always cherish, celebrating the cutting of the Army’s birthday cake together with the youngest soldier in the unit.
Celebrating true service, our values and the legacy of our force.
This is who & what our army is!
These are the kinds of memories I’ll always cherish, celebrating the cutting of the Army’s birthday cake together with the youngest soldier in the unit.
Celebrating true service, our values and the legacy of our force.
This is who & what our army is!
June 14, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Happy 250th Birthday to OUR Army.
These are the kinds of memories I’ll always cherish, celebrating the cutting of the Army’s birthday cake together with the youngest soldier in the unit.
Celebrating true service, our values and the legacy of our force.
This is who & what our army is!
These are the kinds of memories I’ll always cherish, celebrating the cutting of the Army’s birthday cake together with the youngest soldier in the unit.
Celebrating true service, our values and the legacy of our force.
This is who & what our army is!
On 4 June, the West Point class of 1975 celebrated our 50th anniversary of graduation, and the Orlando contingent came together for some camaraderie and storytelling.
We were all soldiers once, and much younger!
We were all soldiers once, and much younger!
June 6, 2025 at 4:04 PM
On 4 June, the West Point class of 1975 celebrated our 50th anniversary of graduation, and the Orlando contingent came together for some camaraderie and storytelling.
We were all soldiers once, and much younger!
We were all soldiers once, and much younger!
On this 6 June, I’m reposting this picture of an interview with 103 yo MG (ret) John Raaen.
He was there on D-day, a new West Point graduate. With the Rangers on Omaha Beach. The real “CPT Miller.”
And he’s still kicking ass.
He was there on D-day, a new West Point graduate. With the Rangers on Omaha Beach. The real “CPT Miller.”
And he’s still kicking ass.
June 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
On this 6 June, I’m reposting this picture of an interview with 103 yo MG (ret) John Raaen.
He was there on D-day, a new West Point graduate. With the Rangers on Omaha Beach. The real “CPT Miller.”
And he’s still kicking ass.
He was there on D-day, a new West Point graduate. With the Rangers on Omaha Beach. The real “CPT Miller.”
And he’s still kicking ass.
Our markets are moving due to an immature social media spat. Insanity.
June 6, 2025 at 12:04 PM
Our markets are moving due to an immature social media spat. Insanity.
6 June 1944. This 54 year old general made the call knowing the potential implication. I can’t imagine the mental & emotional strain. And it’s so very hard to comprehend the sacrifices for a new future that were a result.
We cannot waste what happened on that day.
We cannot waste what happened on that day.
June 6, 2025 at 11:56 AM
6 June 1944. This 54 year old general made the call knowing the potential implication. I can’t imagine the mental & emotional strain. And it’s so very hard to comprehend the sacrifices for a new future that were a result.
We cannot waste what happened on that day.
We cannot waste what happened on that day.
At the invitation of my new friend Lars Hedström at the Swedish Defense University, we had an awesome conversation in Stockholm about the value of Sweden & the other Nordic & Baltic countries and the need for continued trust among the NATO alliance.
May 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
At the invitation of my new friend Lars Hedström at the Swedish Defense University, we had an awesome conversation in Stockholm about the value of Sweden & the other Nordic & Baltic countries and the need for continued trust among the NATO alliance.
Other than handing gold bars to new 2LTs, the highlight of West Point graduation day was explaining & administering the oath of office to my dear friend & class of 2025 president Katherine LaReau. A terrific day for these new leaders.
May 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Other than handing gold bars to new 2LTs, the highlight of West Point graduation day was explaining & administering the oath of office to my dear friend & class of 2025 president Katherine LaReau. A terrific day for these new leaders.
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen.
Happy Easter everyone.
Happy Easter everyone.
April 20, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalen.
Happy Easter everyone.
Happy Easter everyone.
Renewed hope in a new season! Let’s go @cardinals.com !
March 27, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Renewed hope in a new season! Let’s go @cardinals.com !
Had a chance to be with the @Morning_Joe team yesterday for national security issues (but also discuss the upcoming @Cardinals & @RedSox opening day with fellow baseball fan Mike Barnicle. Hope abounds in each new season!
March 27, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Had a chance to be with the @Morning_Joe team yesterday for national security issues (but also discuss the upcoming @Cardinals & @RedSox opening day with fellow baseball fan Mike Barnicle. Hope abounds in each new season!
Once more, the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts provided an evening of phenomenal art...this time, the one-woman show "All Things Equal" with Michelle Azar playing the role of Ruth Bader Ginzberg. Simply magnificent.
See it if it's in your area, or here in Orlando.
See it if it's in your area, or here in Orlando.
March 24, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Once more, the Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts provided an evening of phenomenal art...this time, the one-woman show "All Things Equal" with Michelle Azar playing the role of Ruth Bader Ginzberg. Simply magnificent.
See it if it's in your area, or here in Orlando.
See it if it's in your area, or here in Orlando.
Another terrific Broadway Play - “MJ” - at Dr Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Awesome, and a great way to get a break from the world for a few hours.
March 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Another terrific Broadway Play - “MJ” - at Dr Phillip’s Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. Awesome, and a great way to get a break from the world for a few hours.