Doctrine gives us structure. Reality gives us truth. Somewhere between the two is where leadership actually happens.
In this episode, I sit down with Blake “Blakewater” Flannery — a 20-year Marine Corps veteran who spent most of his career in the Force Recon community. Now the founder of Maneuver Training Solutions and an instructor with Orion Training Group, Blake trains Marines and civilians alike to bridge the gap between what’s written in the book and what actually works in the field.
We break down the tension between Doctrine vs Reality, the core habits every small-unit leader needs, and lessons for squad leaders and platoon commanders who are shaping the next generation.
What you’ll hear isn’t theory — it’s experience forged through CQB, small-unit leadership, and two decades of operational reality.
Follow Blake on Instagram → @blakewater0326
Learn more → Maneuver Training Solutions
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