- Major General (Ret.) John S. Harrel was the Commanding General, California National Guard from June 2009 to April 2011. John’s active military service began in 1975 when he was commissioned an infantry second lieutenant in the United S... moreMajor General (Ret.) John S. Harrel was the Commanding General, California National Guard from June 2009 to April 2011. John’s active military service began in 1975 when he was commissioned an infantry second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He transferred into the California Army National Guard in 1980. Since his commissioning he has held many positions of great responsibility to include Commander TF-185 Armor 1992 Los Angeles Riots, Commanding General, 40th Infantry Division and Commanding General for Task Force Falcon/Multi-National Brigade (East), Kosovo and Army Forces Kosovo, Macedonia and Albania. John retired from the California Attorney’ Generals Office after thirty years rising from law clerk to Deputy Attorney General IV. He served in the Criminal, Correctional and Torts, Condemnation and Civil Rights Divisions. John specialized in defense of state peace officers in torts and civil rights actions.edit
The Roman Empire historically obtained success on the battlefield through its strategic offense ending with a decisive open field battle where the sword was the final arbitrator. Amongst all the wars fought by the Roman Empire against... more
The Roman Empire historically obtained success on the battlefield through its
strategic offense ending with a decisive open field battle where the sword was the final
arbitrator. Amongst all the wars fought by the Roman Empire against Persia, the Nisibis
War (337-363) stands out as the first instance where Rome maintained a position of
strategic defense. After a twenty-four year defensive war, a change in Emperors (from
Constantius II to Julian) resulted in transition back to the strategic offense. Instead of
expected success based on historic experience this time Rome was decisively defeated
within six months. Historians have studied and analyzed the failed offense lead by
Emperor Julian the Apostate, but have generally neglected the overall conflict. This
neglect is surprising since up to this time of the Nisibis War the strategy was unique. The
use of the strategic defense by small frontier (limitanei) armies, based in fortified cities
and fortress, supported by maneuvers and limited operational and tactical offensives by
the Field (comitatus) Army of the East allowed the Eastern Roman Empire to survive the
advancing barbarians, as well as Persian and Muslim invaders until almost the 8th
century. This thesis will focus on the importance of the Nisibis War and its resulting
impact upon the defense of Rome’s Eastern provinces.
strategic offense ending with a decisive open field battle where the sword was the final
arbitrator. Amongst all the wars fought by the Roman Empire against Persia, the Nisibis
War (337-363) stands out as the first instance where Rome maintained a position of
strategic defense. After a twenty-four year defensive war, a change in Emperors (from
Constantius II to Julian) resulted in transition back to the strategic offense. Instead of
expected success based on historic experience this time Rome was decisively defeated
within six months. Historians have studied and analyzed the failed offense lead by
Emperor Julian the Apostate, but have generally neglected the overall conflict. This
neglect is surprising since up to this time of the Nisibis War the strategy was unique. The
use of the strategic defense by small frontier (limitanei) armies, based in fortified cities
and fortress, supported by maneuvers and limited operational and tactical offensives by
the Field (comitatus) Army of the East allowed the Eastern Roman Empire to survive the
advancing barbarians, as well as Persian and Muslim invaders until almost the 8th
century. This thesis will focus on the importance of the Nisibis War and its resulting
impact upon the defense of Rome’s Eastern provinces.
Research Interests:
San Diego did not easily become the home port of America's Pacific fleet. It was two decades after the US acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Hawai'i before a combination of imperialist naval strategy, Japanese expansionism, the... more
San Diego did not easily become the home port of America's Pacific fleet. It was two decades after the US acquisition of the Philippines, Guam, and Hawai'i before a combination of imperialist naval strategy, Japanese expansionism, the Great White Fleet, unrest in Mexico and Central America, the completion of the Panama Canal, the Panama-California Exposition, a supportive congressman, and energetic civic leadership coa-lesced on the issue. Together, these factors led to the establishment of major naval facilities in this southern California city.
Research Interests:
This study examines the Late Roman Limitanei (Frontier Army) and seeks to explain why it was effective at providing border security and defense during the Roman-Persian War of 337-363.
Research Interests:
While the development of tanks had largely led to the replacement of cavalry in most armies by 1939, the Soviets retained a strong mounted arm. In the terrain and conditions of the Eastern Front they were able to play an important role... more
While the development of tanks had largely led to the replacement of cavalry in most armies by
1939, the Soviets retained a strong mounted arm. In the terrain and conditions of the Eastern Front
they were able to play an important role denied them elsewhere. John Harrel shows how the Soviets
developed a doctrine of deep penetration, using cavalry formations to strike into the Axis rear,
disrupting logistics and lines of communication, encircling and isolating units. Interestingly he
shows that this doctrine did not stem from the native cavalry tradition of the steppe but from the
example of the American Civil War. The American approach was copied by the Russians in WWI
and the Russian Civil War, refined by the Soviets in the early stages of World War Two and
perfected during the last two years of the war. The Soviet experience demonstrated that deep
operations (cavalry raids) against enemy rear echelons set the conditions for victory. Although the
last horse-mounted units disappeared in the 1950s, their influence led directly to the formation of the
Operational Manoeuvre Groups that, ironically, faced US forces in the Cold War.
1939, the Soviets retained a strong mounted arm. In the terrain and conditions of the Eastern Front
they were able to play an important role denied them elsewhere. John Harrel shows how the Soviets
developed a doctrine of deep penetration, using cavalry formations to strike into the Axis rear,
disrupting logistics and lines of communication, encircling and isolating units. Interestingly he
shows that this doctrine did not stem from the native cavalry tradition of the steppe but from the
example of the American Civil War. The American approach was copied by the Russians in WWI
and the Russian Civil War, refined by the Soviets in the early stages of World War Two and
perfected during the last two years of the war. The Soviet experience demonstrated that deep
operations (cavalry raids) against enemy rear echelons set the conditions for victory. Although the
last horse-mounted units disappeared in the 1950s, their influence led directly to the formation of the
Operational Manoeuvre Groups that, ironically, faced US forces in the Cold War.
Research Interests:
The Nisibis War is now available for most book merchants.
Research Interests:
This study examines the Late Roman Limitanei (Frontier Army) and seeks to explain why it was effective at providing border security and defense during the Roman-Persian War of 337-363, while the Western Limitanei collapsed.