MSI Press Blog

Told by Betty Lou Leaver -- In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, I share the photo from the birth announcement of our third child. The announcement read, "Joining the people who joined the Army." And, yes, my kids grew up for a few years at least as Army brats. In those days, the Vietnam era, it was not typical for mothers to serve in the military. I was among the first, and in some ways, the Army was not ready for that -- or for me. For this blog post, I will share one story, but there were many more of similar nature. Starting with no military maternity uniforms. I got pregnant right before I applied for a direct commission (the last group of women to need direct commissions since after that women were allowed to join ROTC and become commissioned in that manner). I kept hoping that I would be called for the interview before I no longer fit into my uniform, but, as things take a while in the Army (the hurry-up-and-wait process for nearly everything), I had just ...

  In honor of National Military Appreciation Month, Arthur Yavelberg,  author of the multi-award-winning book,  A Theology for the Rest of Us ,  relates a story told to him by his father, who served at NORAD -- My father was a "career man" in the Air Force for 25 years, starting when it was still the "Army Air Corps."  He was supposed to be a radio man on bombers--until someone in charge of the training program noticed he was wearing glasses.   "How long have you been wearing those?" the officer demanded to know.   "I believe I was born with them, Sir!"  My father was one of those who believed the term "military intelligence" was an oxymoron, but he was intelligent enough not to say so in so many words.  As it turned out, he was reassigned to NORAD, essentially a string of military bases across Canada and the northern US in anticipation of a Soviet nuclear strike launched across the North Pole.  He came home one day and so...

  May is National Military Appreciation Month—a time to thank those who serve and have served. For many Americans, it's a reminder of sacrifice, duty, and national pride. For those of us who wore the uniform , it runs much deeper. It’s a time to remember the moments that shaped us—not only the mission, but the camaraderie, the challenges, and the enduring bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. I served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War era, when women in uniform were few and far between—especially officers. I enlisted but was quickly selected to appear before a Board to be considered for a direct commission. That Board was almost entirely male—mostly captains, a rank I came to see as a tough one: just enough time in to develop a sense of authority but still navigating their own path up or out. There was one woman on the Board. I stood before them visibly pregnant , and that was no small thing. I may well have been the first woman to stay in the military while pregnant, since ...

  Here is some reading in honor of Military Appreciation Month. (1) Previous posts about Military Appreciation Month and military topics . (2) A book for those would support disabled military veterans: Helping the Disabled Veteran. Read excerpts HERE . To purchase copies of any MSI Press book at 25% discount, use code FF25 at  MSI Press webstore . Want to read an MSI Press book and not have to buy for it? (1) Ask your local library to purchase and shelve it. (2) Ask us for a review copy; we love to have our books reviewed. VISIT OUR  WEBSITE  TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL OUR AUTHORS AND TITLES. Sign up for the MSI Press LLC monthly newsletter (recent releases, sales/discounts, awards, reviews, Amazon top 100 list, author advice, and more -- stay up to date) Check out  recent issues .     Follow MSI Press on  Twitter ,  Face Book ,  Pinterest ,  Bluesky , and  Instagram .       Interested in publishing with MSI Press ...

  How Do Arab and U.S. Leaders Differ? A Cultural Lens on Leadership Leadership is not just a set of skills—it’s a cultural performance. What counts as “strong,” “respectful,” or “effective” varies dramatically across societies. Arab and U.S. leaders often embody contrasting values, shaped by different histories, social structures, and moral logics. 1. Authority: Formal vs. Functional Arab leaders tend to operate within formal hierarchies. Titles matter. Respect is shown through deference, ritual, and recognition of seniority. Authority is relational and symbolic. U.S. leaders often downplay hierarchy. They prefer flat structures, first-name informality, and authority earned through performance. Respect is shown through competence, not ceremony. 2. Decision-Making: Consultative vs. Participative Arab leadership often involves consultative processes—leaders seek input, especially from trusted insiders, but final decisions rest with the leader. Consensus is valued, but not ...