Harder Not Smarter Podcast
#0029 - Amish Smith - Recon Marine to Stoic Scholar
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Episode notes
Amish Smith, a former Marine and current ROTC instructor, discusses his experiences in the military and the challenges of being a recon Marine. He shares his transition from the infantry to the intelligence community and his role in teaching basic skills to ROTC students. He provides insights into the rigorous training and physical demands of recon Marines, including the infamous slide for life and carrying heavy boats.
The conversation explores the concept of stoicism and its application in daily life. Amish discusses his journey with stoicism and how it has changed his life for the better. He emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with logic, treating others well, and acknowledging the impermanence of life. We also provide some historical examples, such as Vice Admiral Stockdale's stoic mindset during his time as a prisoner of war, and the parallels between ancient conflicts and modern-day power struggles. The conversation covers various topics including the Peloponnesian War, the decline of Sparta, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Show Links
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Amish's Links
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amishsmith/
https://www.youtube.com/@bitesizedmilitaryhistory
Chapters
00:00 The Impact of Media Frenzy
04:28 From Infantry to Intelligence
08:20 The Rigorous Training of Recon Marines
23:34 Introduction to Stoicism
27:02 Practicing Stoicism in Daily Life
38:58 Stoicism in Historical Context
57:51 Parallels Between Ancient Conflicts and Modern Power Struggles
01:01:04 The Peloponnesian War and the Weaknesses of Athens
01:03:29 The Complexity of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
01:12:24 ROTC: A Path to Service, Education, and a Guaranteed Job
Takeaways
The media frenzy surrounding the murders near the University of Idaho had a significant impact on the small town of Moscow, Idaho.
Amish Smith's transition from the infantry to the intelligence community provided him with valuable skills and knowledge to teach ROTC students.
Recon Marines undergo rigorous training and face physical challenges such as the slide for life and carrying heavy boats.
The Iron Owl Challenge is a demanding competition for ROTC units that tests their physical and mental endurance. Stoicism is a way of thinking and approaching life that involves living in accordance with logic and treating others well.
Stoicism encourages individuals to acknowledge the impermanence of life and to live well in the present moment.
Historical examples, such as Vice Admiral Stockdale's stoic mindset during his time as a prisoner of war, highlight the resilience and strength that can be gained from practicing stoicism.
There are parallels between ancient conflicts, such as the Peloponnesian War, and modern-day power struggles, emphasizing the timeless nature of certain principles and strategies. The Peloponnesian War was marked by false starts and changing strategies, ultimately leading to Athens' defeat due to the weaknesses of their democratic model.
Sparta's decline was caused by limitations such as a small population of elite soldiers and a reliance on helot slaves.
The Battle of Lutra marked the end of Spartan ascendancy on the battlefield.
The Israel-Palestine conflict is complex and rooted in historical and religious divisions.
ROTC offers a great opportunity for students to serve their country, graduate debt-free, and have a guaranteed job.
Military service provides valuable leadership experience and the chance to develop job skills that can be transferred to the civilian sector.