Dennis N. T. Perkins

#Leadership and #Teamwork Expert #Keynote #Speaker #TrustedAdvisor | #Author | Captain #USMarineCorps | #CEO, The Syncretics Group

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

Thoughtful words, @AaronBMacLean Semper Fi

[Aaron MacLean @AaronBMacLean]

So excited for this. Here’s the prayer (of sorts) I wrote the day after Dude 44A had been rescued, but before that Easter morning when 44B came home…

This Easter weekend Americans are waiting to learn the fate of the remaining U.S. airman downed in Iran on Good Friday. Iranian air defenses shot out of the sky an F-15 fighter jet, and while one crewmember was rescued by U.S. forces, another remains lost as of Saturday afternoon.

My mind turns to a night in Cambridge, England, some years ago, spent drinking with American airmen from the nearby bases from which our Air Force has flown since the 1940s. The downed American jet, lost somewhere in the hills of western Iran, reportedly came from a squadron based in Royal Air Force Lakenheath. On weekends, the men and women of Lakenheath sometimes make the trip to Cambridge, to a pub called The Eagle.

The Eagle is much like any other such establishment you might find in Cambridge—the same kind of quaint old building; the same clientele, a mix of students and faculty and tourists. But since the middle of the last century it has also been a gathering spot for British airmen and their American comrades—the forces that battled for, and have since policed, the skies over Europe and beyond. Its walls are covered with the unit insignias of squadrons from around the world. Its ceiling is graffitied with signatures of airmen from World War II. As the Nazis swept through Europe, the flat, marshy land of East Anglia, so close to the coast of the continent, was destined to become in effect the world’s largest aircraft carrier. Famous fighting organizations like the Eighth Air Force—the “masters of the air”—left from this part of England each day to attack Adolf Hitler’s factories.

Some spent their final nights at the Eagle. The night I was there, out with colleagues attending a conference in this university town, we found the bar packed with American F-15 and F-35 pilots, weapons officers, and ground crew. They were many drinks in by the time our party arrived, and in an exceedingly friendly mood, happy to be asked about where they were from, how they grew up, and their plans for the future. They were even happier to sing, apparently a regular feature of their nights out. At some point during the night the pub was essentially given over to their collective, quite deafening concert.

The lyrics principally concerned girls, their qualities, and the carnal aspirations of the singers regarding them. A few of my fellow conference-goers left in a huff of mild disgust, offended by the inelegant nature of the material. I stayed. I also noticed that a sizable minority of the airmen were women, who looked pretty tough, and who were belting out the tunes just as enthusiastically as the men.

Men? When I was a child these singers would have been giants to me, in every sense. But as I’ve grown older, I now see how awfully young our fighting men and women are. The singers in that pub were boys—happy, friendly, trim, and intense-looking boys—and girls, hollering themselves hoarse.

Today one member of their world—the public doesn’t know if it’s a man or a woman—is alone in the hills of Iran. We hope he or she is alive, and preparing to be rescued, but we don’t know… 1/2

[Bart Brassil @BartBrassil]

10 years since I was introduced to @DNTP "Leading at the Edge"

Part adventure story, part leadership guide, this intriguing book examines Shackleton's legendary Antarctic expedition through the lens of business - to reveal a set of powerful strategies for corporate leaders.

[🔱⚓️🏴‍☠️🇺🇸I'm The One Called Doc🇺🇸🏴‍☠️⚓️🔱 @hmcrem]

Coffee toast to our sister.

Sailor Awarded Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for Life-Saving Response Aboard Commercial Flight

Hospitalman Apprentice Skylar L. Foote, assigned to U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for her decisive, life-saving response aboard a commercial flight in July.

While traveling on personal leave, Foote stepped forward to assist a passenger experiencing medical distress, providing continuous assessment, supportive care, and coordination with the flight crew until the aircraft landed safely. Her actions reflect the readiness, compassion, and professionalism expected of U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsmen—on duty and off.

“She demonstrated the courage to step forward and the competence to act under pressure,” said Capt. Donavon YapShing, executive officer of USNMRTC Yokosuka.

📷 Read the full story here: https://t.co/0m4vxuBUWN

[Antarctic Heritage @InspireExplore]

Our team have arrived at Cape Royds, where they will be undertaking conservation work at Shackleton’s 'Nimrod' hut.

For Margot, Dale, and Martin, this is their first time at the hut, an unforgettable moment as they caught their first glimpse of one of the historic sites they will be helping to conserve.

They have now been joined by artefact conservator Shannah Rhynard-Geil, who has been in Antarctica since October, conserving artefacts and supporting field preparation ahead of the team’s arrival.

Camp is set, including a freezer dug beneath the snow to keep food supplies going. When the team checked in, they reported conditions were a nice minus two with light winds and gentle snow flurries.

Before deploying, the team visited the impressive pressure ridges near Scott Base, formed as sea ice pushes against the low ice shelf margin, creating dynamic spaces that crack and shift over time.

The work our team will undertake this season is made possible thanks to our donors, Antarctic Explorer Members, and partners. Thank you!

📸 1. Team deploying to Cape Royds L-R: Zack, Emma, Margot, Dale, Martin, and Shannah. 2. Camp set at Cape Royds. 3. Emma and Dale exploring pressure ridges near Scott Base. © AHT/Emma St Pierre

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@AaronBMacLean I was stationed on Guam after Vietnam and I landed on a Yap airfield. I was surprised to see a Japanese Zero still on the runway. I’m not sure it was ready to fly, but it was all in one piece.

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@AaronBMacLean This newly promoted captain appreciates your 250th Birthday wishes — and wishes he could still fit into that uniform. Semper Fi!

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@AaronBMacLean I’m saluting Presley Neville O’Bannon with my Mameluke blade.

[Antarctic Heritage @InspireExplore]

#OnThisDay in 1939, Frank Wild, Shackleton’s “loyal lieutenant” died at the age of 66 of pneumonia.

Wild was born in Yorkshire, England in 1873. He joined the Merchant Service in 1899 and Royal Navy in 1900 before playing a key role in five Antarctic expeditions led by Shackleton, Robert Falcon Scott and Douglas Mawson. He was awarded the polar medal with four bars, making him the most decorated polar explorer of the heroic age of exploration!

One of Wild’s most well-known adventures took place on Elephant Island, where he remained in command of 21 men as part of Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic 'Endurance' (1914-17) Expedition, while Shackleton and five others made the incredible journey to South Georgia Island to seek rescue at the Stromness Whaling Station. Four months passed with no sign of relief from Shackleton's rescue party, during which the men’s spirits and sanity were severely tested. However, Wild applied routine and optimism unfailingly! Every single morning, Wild would command the men to roll up their sleeping bags and “get your things ready boys, the Boss may come today.” Incredibly, he did just that and one morning George Marston, who had been assigned lookout duties, called from his post “Ship O!” at the sighting of Shackleton aboard the 'Yelcho'. It is testament to the consummate leadership of Wild that all 22 men survived.

Wild joined Shackleton again for the 'Quest' expedition in 1922. Sadly Shackleton died during this expedition leaving Wild in charge.

Before he died, Wild stated that he wished for his ashes to be buried alongside Shackleton's at Grytviken in South Georgia. The outbreak of World War II meant this wasn't possible and for years his remains were seemingly lost, until historian Angie Butler discovered them at Braamfontein Cemetery in Johannesburg where they had laid for 72 years. Wild's wishes were finally granted at a ceremony at Grytviken attended by relatives, whereby he was laid to rest alongside Sir Ernest Shackleton.

📸 Frank Wild in 1914, public domain

#OTD #inspire #explore #discover #conserve #Antarctica

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@sarah_polar_art Looks like your beautiful art sold like hotcakes, so to speak!

[Antarctic Heritage @InspireExplore]

#OnThisDay in 1861, Norwegian explorer, Fridtjof Nansen was born in Christiania (later called Oslo), Norway. Considered by many to be one of the greatest men Norway has ever nurtured, he was renowned as a scientist, explorer, diplomat and humanitarian.

Nansen is famously known for leading a team of six on the first crossing of the Greenland ice cap on skis in 1888. His 'Fram' expedition of 1893-1896 was an attempt to reach the geographical North Pole. Whilst they didn't reach it, they did achieve a farthest North record of 86°14′ and the scientific observations carried out during the period of the exhibition contributed greatly towards the new scientific discipline of Oceanography. The expedition also confirmed that the general character of the north polar region is that of a deep, ice-covered sea.

After the 'Fram' expedition, Nansen retired from exploration and his scientific work focused on oceanography. The final decade of his life was largely devoted to the League of Nations after he was appointed as the League's High Commissioner for Refugees. For his work in repatriating the displaced victims of World War One and related conflicts, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922.

Nansen's legacy of polar travel, equipment and clothing innovation and travel techniques influenced a generation of Arctic and Antarctic explorers, including Shackleton, Scott, and Amundsen.

📸 Portrait of Nansen aged 27, the year he crossed Greenland (1888) © Unknown

#inspire #explore #conserve #discover #antarctica #OTD #nansen

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

Distinguished Flying Cross, Presidential Medal of Freedom, Distinguished Eagle Scout, USNA ‘52. RIP, Captain Lovell 🙏

[U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstitute]

The funeral and committal for astronaut CAPT Jim Lovell was held today at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. The famed naval aviator who commanded the Apollo 13 lunar mission passed away on August 7 at the age of 97.

[Antarctic Heritage @InspireExplore]

#OnThisDay in 1921, Shackleton called for a “handy lad” to join the Quest expedition, inviting Scouts across the country to apply. Out of 1,700 hopefuls, two were selected: Norman Mooney and James Marr. Unfortunately, Mooney suffered badly from sea sickness and was sent home when the ship stopped at Madeira. Marr later became a seasoned Antarctic explorer and krill researcher.

[Aaron MacLean @AaronBMacLean]

This one’s for 1st Battalion, 8th Marines.

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@AaronBMacLean

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

@AaronBMacLean Great metaphor.

[Richard Battista, MBA, CPC @RichardBattista]

Today, we honor and express our gratitude to all Vietnam veterans on Vietnam Veterans Day. Your bravery and service during that time are deeply appreciated. May you all be blessed. #VietnamVeteransDay #Gratitude

[Alex Plitsas 🇺🇸 @alexplitsas]

The first woman to compete in Best Ranger👇🏼

She made it the finals, completed the competition, and came in 14th overall

[Dennis N. T. Perkins @DNTP]

OUTSTANDING‼️

[ArmyTimes @ArmyTimes]

First Lt. Gabrielle White, and her teammate, Capt. Seth Deltenre, finished the grueling three-day event over the weekend and came in 14th overall. https://t.co/BMGoicrdMK

[Antarctic Heritage @InspireExplore]

#OTD 1873 Frank Wild was born in Yorkshire, England. He joined the Merchant Service in 1899 and Royal Navy in 1900 and had a key role in five Antarctic expeditions. Awarded the polar medal with four bars, Wild was the most decorated polar explorer of the heroic age of exploration.

[Tim McCarthy @Bergeron_2081]

#OnThisDay in 1916, as the sea ice broke up around them, Shackleton ordered his crew from the Imperial Trans-Antarctic 'Endurance' Expedition (1914-17) to abandon 'Patience Camp' on the ice floe where they had been living following the sinking of their ship 'Endurance' in November the previous year.

The 28 men boarded the ship's three lifeboats, renamed for the expeditions' benefactors - ‘James Caird’, ‘Dudley Docker’ and ‘Stancomb-Wills’. After five days at sea and suffering from exposure and dehydration, the men landed at Cape Valentine, Elephant Island, standing on solid ground for the first time in 497 days!

📸 The 'Endurance' crew cooking a meal at 'Patience Camp'. Credit: Canterbury Museum.

#inspire #explore #discover #conserve #antarctica #shackleton #endurance