<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:googleplay="http://www.google.com/schemas/play-podcasts/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></title><description><![CDATA[6th Generation War Veteran, Cybersecurity Professional & Founder of Mass Address™]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com</link><image><url>https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lC0a!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4710cb25-85c6-417e-9c39-22347f75fa31_640x640.png</url><title>Edward W. Hood</title><link>https://www.edwardhood.com</link></image><generator>Substack</generator><lastBuildDate>Fri, 10 Jul 2026 06:21:23 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.edwardhood.com/feed" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><copyright><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><webMaster><![CDATA[edwardhood@substack.com]]></webMaster><itunes:owner><itunes:email><![CDATA[edwardhood@substack.com]]></itunes:email><itunes:name><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></itunes:name></itunes:owner><itunes:author><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></itunes:author><googleplay:owner><![CDATA[edwardhood@substack.com]]></googleplay:owner><googleplay:email><![CDATA[edwardhood@substack.com]]></googleplay:email><googleplay:author><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></googleplay:author><itunes:block><![CDATA[Yes]]></itunes:block><item><title><![CDATA[Debt Collectors Are Suing on Expired “Zombie” Debts — Show Up, Say These 5 Words, and Stop the Garnishment]]></title><description><![CDATA[A debt collector just sued your neighbor over a $3,200 credit card balance from 2017.]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/debt-collectors-are-suing-on-expired</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/debt-collectors-are-suing-on-expired</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:06:34 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568092806323-8ec13dfa9b92?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8anVkZ2V8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzgzMjc4ODk3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568092806323-8ec13dfa9b92?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8anVkZ2V8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzgzMjc4ODk3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568092806323-8ec13dfa9b92?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8anVkZ2V8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzgzMjc4ODk3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1568092806323-8ec13dfa9b92?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxNnx8anVkZ2V8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzgzMjc4ODk3fDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@davidveksler">David Veksler</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p><span>A debt collector just sued your neighbor over a $3,200 credit card balance from 2017.</span></p><p><span>The statute of limitations expired years ago. The lawsuit is legally unenforceable. The collector knows it. They filed anyway &#8212; because studies show the vast majority of people (often 70% or more, with some court data historically reaching 94% in specific jurisdictions) never show up to defend themselves.</span></p><p><span>When you don&#8217;t appear, the judge enters a </span><strong><span>default judgment</span></strong><span>. Suddenly the collector can garnish wages, levy bank accounts, or seize assets on a debt that was already legally dead.</span></p><p><span>This is one of the most profitable (and criticized) tactics in the collections industry: sue on time-barred debt, count on no-shows, and collect forever.</span></p><p><span>Here&#8217;s exactly how it works, why it&#8217;s often illegal, and what you must do if it happens to you.</span></p><p><strong><span>What &#8220;Time-Barred&#8221; Debt Actually Means</span></strong></p><p><span>Every state has a </span><strong><span>statute of limitations (SOL)</span></strong><span> on consumer debts like credit cards. Once that window closes, the collector can still </span><em><span>ask</span></em><span> you to pay &#8212; but they generally cannot </span><em><span>sue</span></em><span> you for it. The debt becomes &#8220;time-barred&#8221; or &#8220;zombie debt.&#8221;</span></p><p><span>The clock usually starts from the </span><strong><span>date of last activity</span></strong><span> (most often your last payment or when the account went seriously delinquent). After the SOL expires, the legal right to sue dies &#8212; even if the debt itself doesn&#8217;t vanish.</span></p><div class="callout-block" data-callout="true"><p><strong><span>Important disclaimer:</span></strong><span> This is general information based on common legal classifications as of 2026. SOL periods can depend on whether your state treats credit card debt as an &#8220;open account&#8221; or &#8220;written contract,&#8221; and specific facts matter. </span><strong><span>This is not legal advice.</span></strong><span> Always verify your exact situation with a consumer attorney or legal aid in your state.</span></p></div><p><strong><span>Typical Statute of Limitations for Credit Card Debt (General Guide)</span></strong></p><p><span>Periods generally range from </span><strong><span>3 to 6 years</span></strong><span> (sometimes longer). Here&#8217;s a corrected overview drawn from legal compilations:</span></p><p><strong><span>Often 3 years (open account/common classifications in many states):</span></strong><span> Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia (and D.C. in some analyses).</span></p><p><strong><span>Often 4 years:</span></strong><span> California, Florida (open account often 4; written sometimes 5), Georgia, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah.</span></p><p><strong><span>Often 5&#8211;6 years (most common range):</span></strong><span> Many states including Arizona (6 years per state courts for credit cards), Colorado (6), Connecticut (6), Hawaii (6), Illinois (5), Indiana (6), Maine (6), Massachusetts (6), Michigan (6), Minnesota (6), Missouri (5), New Jersey (6), New York (6), Ohio (6), Oregon (6), Tennessee (6), Washington (6), Wisconsin (6), Wyoming (varies, often longer), and others.</span></p><p><strong><span>Note:</span></strong><span> Some states have longer periods for certain contract types (up to 8&#8211;10 years). The original list you shared was close in spirit but contained inaccuracies on states like Arizona, Colorado, and New York. Confirm your specific state&#8217;s current statute and the precise &#8220;last activity&#8221; date on </span><em><span>your</span></em><span> account.</span></p><p><strong><span>Why Collectors Sue on Dead Debt Anyway</span></strong></p><p><span>Because </span><strong><span>most people panic and do nothing</span></strong><span>.</span></p><p><span>They receive the summons, feel overwhelmed or ashamed, and ignore it. The collector wins by default. Then comes wage garnishment &#8212; on a debt they couldn&#8217;t have enforced if you had simply shown up.</span></p><p><span>This is why the industry keeps doing it. It&#8217;s low-risk, high-reward when 70%+ of cases end in default judgments (per Pew Charitable Trusts and multiple court studies).</span></p><p><strong><span>If They Sue You on Time-Barred Debt: Your Move</span></strong></p><p><strong><span>Show up to court.</span></strong><span> File an answer raising the statute of limitations defense. In many cases, simply telling the judge:</span></p><p><strong><span>&#8220;The statute of limitations has expired.&#8221;</span></strong></p><p><span>&#8230;is enough to get the case dismissed. The collector eats the filing fees. No judgment. Your wages stay yours.</span></p><p><strong><span>Even better:</span></strong><span> In most federal circuits and under CFPB rules, suing (or threatening to sue) on time-barred debt can violate the </span><strong><span>Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA)</span></strong><span>, specifically prohibitions on unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt. The CFPB has made clear that collectors generally cannot sue or threaten suit on debts they know (or should know) are time-barred.</span></p><p><span>You may have grounds to </span><strong><span>countersue</span></strong><span> for statutory damages (up to $1,000), actual damages, and attorney fees.</span></p><p><span>Real-world outcomes like these happen regularly when people defend themselves:</span></p><blockquote><p><span>&#8226; Consumers have successfully had time-barred suits dismissed and, in some cases, recovered money through FDCPA counterclaims.</span></p><p><span>&#8226; Others have disputed zombie collections on their credit reports (&#8220;This account is past the statute of limitations in my state and the reporting is inaccurate/misleading&#8221;), resulting in deletions &#8212; sometimes after CFPB complaints &#8212; and meaningful credit score improvements.</span></p></blockquote><p><strong><span>The Two Critical Rules (Never Break These)</span></strong></p><blockquote><p><span>1. </span><strong><span>Never make a payment</span></strong><span> on time-barred debt. In many states, even a small payment or &#8220;good faith&#8221; gesture can restart the SOL clock &#8212; giving them fresh years to sue you legally.</span></p><p><span>2. </span><strong><span>Never acknowledge the debt in writing</span></strong><span> (or sometimes verbally, depending on the state). A written acknowledgment can revive the debt in numerous jurisdictions.</span></p></blockquote><p><span>When a collector calls about old debt, a safe response is:</span></p><p><span>&#8220;I am not acknowledging this debt. What is the date of last activity on this account?&#8221;</span></p><p><span>If that date plus your state&#8217;s SOL has passed, the debt is dead for lawsuit purposes. Hang up. Send a </span><strong><span>cease and desist</span></strong><span> letter under FDCPA Section 805(c) if you want communications to stop. If they sue anyway, show up and raise the defense.</span></p><p><strong><span>Cleaning Up Your Credit Report</span></strong></p><p><span>Time-barred debts can still appear on your credit report for up to 7 years under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (from the original delinquency date). However, you can dispute them as inaccurate or misleading once the SOL has passed. Many get deleted after proper disputes; stubborn ones sometimes require a CFPB complaint. Success stories include removing tens of thousands in old collections and seeing significant score jumps.</span></p><p><strong><span>Bottom Line</span></strong></p><p><span>Debt collectors count on you freezing or ignoring the summons. They are banking on the default judgment machine.</span></p><p><span>Don&#8217;t give it to them.</span></p><p><span>Show up. Raise the statute of limitations. Consider the FDCPA angle. Protect your paycheck.</span></p><p><span>This isn&#8217;t about avoiding responsibility for debts you legitimately owe &#8212; it&#8217;s about stopping illegal or abusive collection tactics on debts the law has already declared unenforceable.</span></p><p><span>If a collector just sued you (or someone you know) on old debt, act quickly &#8212; court deadlines are short. Consult a consumer protection attorney or legal aid organization in your state immediately. Resources like the CFPB (</span><a href="http://consumerfinance.gov"><span>consumerfinance.gov</span></a><span>) and National Consumer Law Center can help point you in the right direction.</span></p><p><span>Know your rights. Exercise them. The collectors are counting on you not to.</span></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Star Hunter Infinite Lagrange iOS Beginner Guide 2026: Build a Strong Fleet & Best ROI Purchases 🚀]]></title><description><![CDATA[This is your no-nonsense guide to launching strong as a new player, with clear priorities for building a formidable fleet and, should you choose to invest real currency, the highest-ROI options for maximum long-term power.]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/star-hunter-infinite-lagrange-ios</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/star-hunter-infinite-lagrange-ios</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 01:07:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png" width="1456" height="956" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:956,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1922017,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A dark outer-space scene with scattered stars and small spacecraft, dominated on the right by a massive triangular sci&#8209;fi structure with a glowing interior. At the bottom, the logo and title &#8220;STAR HUNTER&#8221; with &#8220;INFINITE LAGRANGE&#8221; appear above a progress bar reading &#8220;100.00%.&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/204040087?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A dark outer-space scene with scattered stars and small spacecraft, dominated on the right by a massive triangular sci&#8209;fi structure with a glowing interior. At the bottom, the logo and title &#8220;STAR HUNTER&#8221; with &#8220;INFINITE LAGRANGE&#8221; appear above a progress bar reading &#8220;100.00%.&#8221;" title="A dark outer-space scene with scattered stars and small spacecraft, dominated on the right by a massive triangular sci&#8209;fi structure with a glowing interior. At the bottom, the logo and title &#8220;STAR HUNTER&#8221; with &#8220;INFINITE LAGRANGE&#8221; appear above a progress bar reading &#8220;100.00%.&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!aXTM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2379ded6-6dc1-4de5-82a8-f63d4f738836_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"></figcaption></figure></div><p><span>This is your no-nonsense guide to launching strong as a new player, with clear priorities for building a formidable fleet and, should you choose to invest real currency, the highest-ROI options for maximum long-term power.</span></p><p><span>The game blends base-building, resource logistics, ship customization, large-scale fleet combat, bounty contracts, mining operations, and galactic events. You start small (outpost + a pair of frigates) and scale into massive, customizable fleets clashing across star systems.</span></p><p><strong><span>1. Early Game Priorities (First 24 Hours &amp; Beyond)</span></strong></p><p><span>Focus ruthlessly on infrastructure and logistics before chasing big ships. Resources (Metal, Crystal, Deuterium/Dust) come from mining nodes with </span><strong><span>Utility Ships</span></strong><span> and mission/pirate farming. Tech points (key for ship upgrades) come steadily from Utility Ships.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png" width="1456" height="956" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:956,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1845681,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi video game construction screen showing a large modular space station in orbit against a dark starfield with a grid overlay. The interface displays &#8220;CONSTRUCTION&#8221; and sections for &#8220;Central District,&#8221; &#8220;Port District,&#8221; and &#8220;Industrial District,&#8221; with build options such as &#8220;Diplomacy Management Center,&#8221; &#8220;Warehouse,&#8221; &#8220;Small Habitat,&#8221; &#8220;Utility Ship Dockyard,&#8221; and &#8220;Space Station Trade Center,&#8221; along with completion counters and a prompt to mark facilities that unlock new features.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/204040087?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi video game construction screen showing a large modular space station in orbit against a dark starfield with a grid overlay. The interface displays &#8220;CONSTRUCTION&#8221; and sections for &#8220;Central District,&#8221; &#8220;Port District,&#8221; and &#8220;Industrial District,&#8221; with build options such as &#8220;Diplomacy Management Center,&#8221; &#8220;Warehouse,&#8221; &#8220;Small Habitat,&#8221; &#8220;Utility Ship Dockyard,&#8221; and &#8220;Space Station Trade Center,&#8221; along with completion counters and a prompt to mark facilities that unlock new features." title="A sci&#8209;fi video game construction screen showing a large modular space station in orbit against a dark starfield with a grid overlay. The interface displays &#8220;CONSTRUCTION&#8221; and sections for &#8220;Central District,&#8221; &#8220;Port District,&#8221; and &#8220;Industrial District,&#8221; with build options such as &#8220;Diplomacy Management Center,&#8221; &#8220;Warehouse,&#8221; &#8220;Small Habitat,&#8221; &#8220;Utility Ship Dockyard,&#8221; and &#8220;Space Station Trade Center,&#8221; along with completion counters and a prompt to mark facilities that unlock new features." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zpeQ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4332373b-38ae-412e-96ee-99e176dffc49_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong><span>Core early rush (Zone 1 &#8594; Zone 2 &#8594; Zone 3):</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><span>Rush Base to Lv. 2 quickly: Prioritize </span><strong><span>Capital Shipyard I (Lv. 4)</span></strong><span>, </span><strong><span>Warehouse I (Lv. 4)</span></strong><span>, </span><strong><span>Generic Port I (Lv. 3)</span></strong><span>. This unlocks Zone 2 (~40 min).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Build </span><strong><span>Utility Ship Dockyard</span></strong><span> (Lv. 1 is enough initially). Rush 2&#8211;3 Utility Ships immediately and deploy them on nearby nodes (ideal: 1 Dust + 1 Metal). Tech point priority order: </span><strong><span>Mining Speed &gt; Warp Speed &gt; Cargo Space</span></strong><span> (adjust if pairing with fast frigates).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Build a small combat force: 2+ of any early ship (aim for 6 total frigates for missions). Attack nearby pirates (use at least 4 FG300 or better; disable auto-return to control timing). Complete missions for resources and progression.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Advance to Base Lv. 3&#8211;4: Unlock more ports, plants for passive income, Trading Center, Destroyer Dockyard, etc. Research order example: Small Integrated Plant &#8594; Repair Dock &#8594; Habitat &#8594; Smelting Plant.</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>Key mechanics to master early:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><span>Missions and pirate farming fund nearly everything at the start.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Utility Ships are immortal logistics powerhouses &#8212; keep them mining and generating tech points constantly.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Base expansions unlock new dockyards and ship classes progressively.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Join an active Union as soon as Chapter 5 opens for support, coordination on galactic events, and better play experience.82</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>Pro move:</span></strong><span> Monitor your engineering prefab and speedups carefully. Avoid over-rushing very short builds if you can leverage higher base tech later.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png" width="1456" height="956" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:956,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2249055,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A space strategy game &#8220;Create Fleet&#8221; screen shows a large orbital shipyard with multiple gray warships lined up beside a docking structure against a starfield and nebula. UI elements display &#8220;Military Port 44/60,&#8221; &#8220;Industrial Port 0/20,&#8221; a mini-map labeled &#8220;Military Port A,&#8221; and buttons for &#8220;Ship Production,&#8221; &#8220;Repair,&#8221; &#8220;Assembly,&#8221; &#8220;Smart Grouping,&#8221; &#8220;Fleet Lineup,&#8221; &#8220;Select All,&#8221; and &#8220;Rapid Formation.&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/204040087?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A space strategy game &#8220;Create Fleet&#8221; screen shows a large orbital shipyard with multiple gray warships lined up beside a docking structure against a starfield and nebula. UI elements display &#8220;Military Port 44/60,&#8221; &#8220;Industrial Port 0/20,&#8221; a mini-map labeled &#8220;Military Port A,&#8221; and buttons for &#8220;Ship Production,&#8221; &#8220;Repair,&#8221; &#8220;Assembly,&#8221; &#8220;Smart Grouping,&#8221; &#8220;Fleet Lineup,&#8221; &#8220;Select All,&#8221; and &#8220;Rapid Formation.&#8221;" title="A space strategy game &#8220;Create Fleet&#8221; screen shows a large orbital shipyard with multiple gray warships lined up beside a docking structure against a starfield and nebula. UI elements display &#8220;Military Port 44/60,&#8221; &#8220;Industrial Port 0/20,&#8221; a mini-map labeled &#8220;Military Port A,&#8221; and buttons for &#8220;Ship Production,&#8221; &#8220;Repair,&#8221; &#8220;Assembly,&#8221; &#8220;Smart Grouping,&#8221; &#8220;Fleet Lineup,&#8221; &#8220;Select All,&#8221; and &#8220;Rapid Formation.&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!LTDC!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8ee9b444-fd86-4935-a41b-1ed862e506ea_2266x1488.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong><span>2. Building a Strong Fleet &#8211; What to Focus On</span></strong></p><p><span>A strong fleet is </span><strong><span>balanced, focused, and well-upgraded</span></strong><span> rather than a scattered collection of random blueprints. Command points limit your deployment size, so quality and synergy beat quantity early on. Sub-fleets allow multiple simultaneous operations (mining, combat, exploration).</span></p><p><strong><span>Ship categories &amp; roles (high-level):</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><strong><span>Utility/Resource Ships</span></strong><span>: Mining, construction support, tech point generation. Non-combat but essential.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Aircraft (Fighters/Corvettes)</span></strong><span>: Screening, anti-air, burst damage. Deploy from carriers or bases. Examples: A101 Rational (fighter), Stingray (bomber), Wildfire (corvette).</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Frigates/Destroyers/Cruisers (Capital)</span></strong><span>: Versatile workhorses. Early staple: </span><strong><span>FG300</span></strong><span> (multi-role frigate &#8212; cheap, reliable recon/combat). Later: </span><strong><span>Ceres</span></strong><span> (aircraft destroyer with fighter bays), </span><strong><span>Helios</span></strong><span> (heavy cannon assault), </span><strong><span>Taurus</span></strong><span>.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Battlecruisers / Supercapitals / Carriers</span></strong><span>: Heavy hitters and force multipliers. Standouts include </span><strong><span>Constantine the Great</span></strong><span> (pulse cannons, high-alpha missiles, excellent vs armored targets), </span><strong><span>Solar Whale</span></strong><span> (armed tactical carrier with corvette dock and strong overall combat presence).81</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>Fleet-building strategy for new players:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><strong><span>Early phase</span></strong><span>: Mass FG300 frigates + a few better ships for pirate hunting and missions. Build numbers to meet mission requirements (e.g., 8 frigates).</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Mid progression</span></strong><span>: Unlock Destroyer and Cruiser dockyards. Aim for a core of 1&#8211;2 strong variants per class. Mix frontline tanks (high HP/armor battlecruisers), mid-line DPS (torpedo/missile/cannon destroyers and cruisers), backline support or carriers, and screening aircraft/corvettes.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Composition principles</span></strong><span>:</span></p><ul><li><p><span>Balance damage types (physical missiles/torpedoes vs energy weapons &#8212; energy often scales well).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Include support/healing elements (e.g., NOMA-class ships mentioned in community comps).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Use </span><strong><span>Flagship</span></strong><span> bonuses wisely &#8212; different ships grant unique fleet-wide effects (e.g., Solar Whale for long-range strategic strikes or lockdown effects).</span></p></li><li><p><span>Concentrate </span><strong><span>Tech Points</span></strong><span> and variant unlocks on a small number of key ships rather than spreading thin. Duplicates help unlock higher variants.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Sub-fleets for parallel operations (one mining, one combat, one exploration).</span></p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong><span>Customization</span></strong><span>: Many ships allow weapon/module swaps or variant choices for role specialization (anti-armor, anti-air, logistics, etc.).</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Long-term goal</span></strong><span>: A versatile main fleet capable of bounties, event participation, base defense, and scaling into large PvE/PvP clashes. Meta shifts with updates, so experiment but maintain a focused core.56</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>Visual example of fleet combat in action:</span></strong></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png" width="1456" height="819" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:819,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1414146,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi space battle game screenshot shows a large white capital ship in the foreground surrounded by multiple smaller spacecraft, missiles, and targeting markers amid an asteroid field and glowing nebula clouds. HUD elements display &#8220;Privateer Assault&#8221; with health and level indicators, battle log messages like &#8220;Light Cone &#8211; Offensive Missile Cruiser destroyed&#8221; and &#8220;Helios &#8211; Heavy Cannon Assault Ship,&#8221; and buttons labeled &#8220;EXPANSE&#8221; and &#8220;SHIP LIST.&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/204040087?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi space battle game screenshot shows a large white capital ship in the foreground surrounded by multiple smaller spacecraft, missiles, and targeting markers amid an asteroid field and glowing nebula clouds. HUD elements display &#8220;Privateer Assault&#8221; with health and level indicators, battle log messages like &#8220;Light Cone &#8211; Offensive Missile Cruiser destroyed&#8221; and &#8220;Helios &#8211; Heavy Cannon Assault Ship,&#8221; and buttons labeled &#8220;EXPANSE&#8221; and &#8220;SHIP LIST.&#8221;" title="A sci&#8209;fi space battle game screenshot shows a large white capital ship in the foreground surrounded by multiple smaller spacecraft, missiles, and targeting markers amid an asteroid field and glowing nebula clouds. HUD elements display &#8220;Privateer Assault&#8221; with health and level indicators, battle log messages like &#8220;Light Cone &#8211; Offensive Missile Cruiser destroyed&#8221; and &#8220;Helios &#8211; Heavy Cannon Assault Ship,&#8221; and buttons labeled &#8220;EXPANSE&#8221; and &#8220;SHIP LIST.&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!IHcn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F915b3ad4-21ad-42c5-977c-f27b0811be45_1500x844.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><span>Prioritize unlocking and heavily investing in ships that fit your playstyle (aggressive bounty hunting vs defensive mining fleets). Community resources (r/InfiniteLagrange, game Discord, YouTube ship guides by creators like Damphyre) provide current tier lists and comp examples &#8212; check them regularly as balance patches occur.</span></p><p><strong><span>3. If You Decide to Spend: Highest ROI Purchases</span></strong></p><p><span>The game is playable F2P (many do well with patience and smart play), but blueprints, variants, and tech points are the main bottlenecks. Spending accelerates ship acquisition and upgrades dramatically. Focus on </span><strong><span>consistent, long-term value</span></strong><span> over flashy one-time bundles.</span></p><p><strong><span>Top recommendations (highest ROI order):</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><strong><span>Strategic Partnership Agreement (Dawn Funding Scheme)</span></strong><span>: The single best ongoing purchase for most players. Provides daily Proxima coins, black market crate access, and steady tech files/blueprints. Excellent coin-per-dollar value and directly fuels your fleet progression every day. Highly recommended as your first (or primary) investment if spending.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Beginner Voyage Packs (I&#8211;V)</span></strong><span>: Tiered entry bundles tailored for new players. Good value for resources, coins, and early acceleration while you&#8217;re still in the rookie phase. Grab the ones that fit your budget early.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Targeted event or daily small-value packs</span></strong><span>: During galactic events, look for high-value black boxes or crates. Small daily coin purchases can compound well when paired with the Partnership Agreement. Avoid random high-cost gacha unless the specific contents (certain blueprints) are exactly what you need.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Secondary considerations</span></strong><span>: Construction/upgrade speedups or base expansion bundles if you&#8217;re heavily time-gated, but these have lower long-term ROI than steady ship/tech income.</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>General spending rules for max ROI:</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><span>Prioritize anything that gives </span><strong><span>recurring daily/weekly value</span></strong><span> (agreements, passes) over pure one-time resource dumps.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Calculate effective value in Proxima coins or equivalent tech files/blueprints.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Never chase every pack &#8212; focus on what directly powers your core fleet (blueprints + tech points).</span></p></li><li><p><span>The game has typical mobile progression walls; smart spending smooths them without making it mandatory.</span></p></li></ul><p><strong><span>Final Protocol &amp; Pro Tips</span></strong></p><ul><li><p><strong><span>Join the community early</span></strong><span>: Active Union + Discord/Reddit for coordination, current meta comps, and event planning.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Playstyle balance</span></strong><span>: Spend time on base production, fleet tech investment, </span><em><span>and</span></em><span> active operations. Passive mining runs while you handle other tasks.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Events are force multipliers</span></strong><span>: Galactic events often require (and reward) coordinated fleet power.</span></p></li><li><p><strong><span>Patience + focus beats scatter</span></strong><span>: A well-upgraded core fleet of synergistic ships will outperform a larger but under-leveled one.</span></p></li><li><p><span>Meta evolves &#8212; treat tier lists and comps as living documents.</span></p></li></ul><p></p><p><span>Commander, the stars await your command. Deploy your Utility Ships, secure those early blueprints, and build with purpose. </span></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Will Iran’s Enriched Uranium be Used to Build a Dirty Bomb to Drag the US into a Ground War? 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇷]]></title><description><![CDATA[OPERATION NORTHWOODS 2.0]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/will-irans-enriched-uranium-be-used</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/will-irans-enriched-uranium-be-used</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2026 22:04:11 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I strongly believe America will be attacked via a false flag operation to drag our nation into a ground war with Iran. Here is my evidence:</p><p>FACT #1: Israel does not have sufficient military strength to destroy the Iranian regime.</p><p>FACT #2: The United States has claimed Iran&#8217;s nuclear facilities were destroyed.</p><p>FACT #3: Effective 18 June 2026, the <span>440&#8211;970 pounds of enriched Uranium located at the </span><strong><span>Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center</span></strong><span> is still unaccounted for and is believed to be inside the destroyed facility underground.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span>ENTER MY THEORY</span></strong></p><p>According to multiple accounts on social media, the &#8220;downed pilot&#8221; situation in Iran was actually a cover story to hide the extraction of Uranium at Isfahan. Why do we suspect this?  &#128071;</p><p><strong><span>April 3, 2026.</span></strong></p><p><span>The F-15E Strike Eagle (call sign </span><strong><span>Dude 44</span></strong><span>) was shot down by Iranian forces on </span><strong><span>April 3, 2026</span></strong><span> (early morning local time in Iran). The two crew members &#8212; a pilot and a weapons systems officer &#8212; ejected and landed in hostile territory.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><span>Or so they say&#8230;.</span></strong></p><p><span>Where exactly did the plane get &#8220;shot down&#8221;? </span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp" width="819" height="1023" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1023,&quot;width&quot;:819,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:112550,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;An infographic map of Iran labeled &#8220;IRAN,&#8221; marking Tehran with a star and highlighting Kolah Ghazi National Park near Isfahan. It depicts a U.S. search-and-rescue operation after an air crash, with a zoomed-in panel showing the crash location and numbered steps: &#8220;Airman hikes 2000m,&#8221; &#8220;US evac team finds him,&#8221; and &#8220;Airman and evac team rescued,&#8221; illustrated with icons of a helicopter and an aircraft. Images of a fighter jet and a military transport plane are overlaid on the map.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="An infographic map of Iran labeled &#8220;IRAN,&#8221; marking Tehran with a star and highlighting Kolah Ghazi National Park near Isfahan. It depicts a U.S. search-and-rescue operation after an air crash, with a zoomed-in panel showing the crash location and numbered steps: &#8220;Airman hikes 2000m,&#8221; &#8220;US evac team finds him,&#8221; and &#8220;Airman and evac team rescued,&#8221; illustrated with icons of a helicopter and an aircraft. Images of a fighter jet and a military transport plane are overlaid on the map." title="An infographic map of Iran labeled &#8220;IRAN,&#8221; marking Tehran with a star and highlighting Kolah Ghazi National Park near Isfahan. It depicts a U.S. search-and-rescue operation after an air crash, with a zoomed-in panel showing the crash location and numbered steps: &#8220;Airman hikes 2000m,&#8221; &#8220;US evac team finds him,&#8221; and &#8220;Airman and evac team rescued,&#8221; illustrated with icons of a helicopter and an aircraft. Images of a fighter jet and a military transport plane are overlaid on the map." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!pdZM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0291b684-085e-4255-9511-e6547da63e10_819x1023.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>FACT #4: The U.S. Air Force has a drone program called Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) which can turn an F-15E into a drone which can be flown remotely.</p><p>It is entirely possible to rig an F-15E as a drone, fly said aircraft at a speed and altitude which would give a MANPAD the ability to shoot it down.</p><p><em>MANPAD (or more accurately, MANPADS) stands for Man-Portable Air-Defense System. A shoulder-fired, surface-to-air missile system designed to allow individual soldiers or small teams to target and shoot down low-flying aircraft, particularly helicopters, drones, and low-altitude transport or fighter jets.</em></p><p>Shooting down a real F-15E would generate a Quick Response Force like what we saw in Iran during the &#8220;downed pilot&#8221; event. It would be the <em>perfect</em> cover for the Uranium extraction mission.</p><p><span>FACT #5: Despite claims made by the White House in 2025, Iran&#8217;s enriched Uranium may still be accessible per a post made by President Trump on May 25th, 2026.</span></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg" width="1206" height="973" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:973,&quot;width&quot;:1206,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:184086,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A screenshot of a social media post by Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), showing a verified badge and a profile image with an American-flag-themed face. The post contains a long paragraph about &#8220;enriched uranium (nuclear dust)&#8221; being turned over to the United States or destroyed in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with oversight by the Atomic Energy Commission, ending with &#8220;President DJT.&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A screenshot of a social media post by Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), showing a verified badge and a profile image with an American-flag-themed face. The post contains a long paragraph about &#8220;enriched uranium (nuclear dust)&#8221; being turned over to the United States or destroyed in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with oversight by the Atomic Energy Commission, ending with &#8220;President DJT.&#8221;" title="A screenshot of a social media post by Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump), showing a verified badge and a profile image with an American-flag-themed face. The post contains a long paragraph about &#8220;enriched uranium (nuclear dust)&#8221; being turned over to the United States or destroyed in coordination with the Islamic Republic of Iran, with oversight by the Atomic Energy Commission, ending with &#8220;President DJT.&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MBJy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff9fdae0d-6d52-4d4b-873d-fb406aa5ce4e_1206x973.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>FACT #6: OPERATION NORTHWOODS was a proposed, top-secret 1962 Department of Defense plan designed to generate public and international support for a U.S. military intervention in Cuba. Essentially, it was a blueprint for a series of false flag operations&#8212;acts committed by one party but staged to look like they were perpetrated by an enemy. The Joint Chiefs of Staff signed off on the memorandum and submitted it to Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, but it was ultimately <strong>rejected by President John F. Kennedy</strong> and never implemented. </p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg" width="960" height="1302" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1302,&quot;width&quot;:960,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:293831,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A black-and-white scanned U.S. government document from &#8220;The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington 25, D.C.&#8221; stamped &#8220;UNCLASSIFIED&#8221; and dated 13 March 1962. It is a &#8220;Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense&#8221; with the subject &#8220;Justification for US Military Intervention in Cuba (TS),&#8221; containing numbered paragraphs about planning and responsibility for overt and covert operations. The page includes security markings reading &#8220;TOP SECRET SPECIAL HANDLING&#8221; across the top and bottom, a circular Department of Defense seal, review/classification stamps, and the signature of L. L. Lemnitzer, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A black-and-white scanned U.S. government document from &#8220;The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington 25, D.C.&#8221; stamped &#8220;UNCLASSIFIED&#8221; and dated 13 March 1962. It is a &#8220;Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense&#8221; with the subject &#8220;Justification for US Military Intervention in Cuba (TS),&#8221; containing numbered paragraphs about planning and responsibility for overt and covert operations. The page includes security markings reading &#8220;TOP SECRET SPECIAL HANDLING&#8221; across the top and bottom, a circular Department of Defense seal, review/classification stamps, and the signature of L. L. Lemnitzer, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff." title="A black-and-white scanned U.S. government document from &#8220;The Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington 25, D.C.&#8221; stamped &#8220;UNCLASSIFIED&#8221; and dated 13 March 1962. It is a &#8220;Memorandum for the Secretary of Defense&#8221; with the subject &#8220;Justification for US Military Intervention in Cuba (TS),&#8221; containing numbered paragraphs about planning and responsibility for overt and covert operations. The page includes security markings reading &#8220;TOP SECRET SPECIAL HANDLING&#8221; across the top and bottom, a circular Department of Defense seal, review/classification stamps, and the signature of L. L. Lemnitzer, Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Aie7!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F71373379-25e1-4241-9832-244a2e967666_960x1302.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">OPERATION NORTHWOODS</figcaption></figure></div><p>FACT #7: When a nuclear weapon is detonated, the resulting radioactive fallout carries a unique isotopic signature&#8212;essentially a nuclear fingerprint. Through the field of <strong>nuclear forensics</strong>, scientists can analyze this debris to achieve <strong>nuclear attribution</strong>, tracing the radioactive material back to its exact <strong>facility of origin.</strong></p><p>If the United States were able to successfully recover the enriched Uranium from Iran during the &#8220;downed pilot&#8221; scenario, a dirty bomb could be created from that Uranium.  This bomb could then be used in a false flag operation on US soil.</p><p>After nuclear detonation, the US would send in nuclear forensic scientists to analyze the bomb site. Those nuclear forensic scientists wouldn&#8217;t have any idea about the origin of the nuclear material until after their analysis.  They would be impartial and not aware of any false flag operation.  Their impartiality coupled with Israeli controlled American media would drive public support for a ground war against Iran.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png" width="1408" height="768" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/eed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:768,&quot;width&quot;:1408,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:2456959,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;In a desert landscape with scorched ground and scrub, four people in white hazmat suits with U.S. flag patches collect samples from the soil as a large plume of dark smoke rises in the background. A white &#8220;Dept. of Energy / DOD&#8221; vehicle labeled &#8220;Mobile Nuclear Forensics Unit,&#8221; equipped with a roof satellite dish and flashing lights, is parked nearby while one team member monitors a handheld device.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="In a desert landscape with scorched ground and scrub, four people in white hazmat suits with U.S. flag patches collect samples from the soil as a large plume of dark smoke rises in the background. A white &#8220;Dept. of Energy / DOD&#8221; vehicle labeled &#8220;Mobile Nuclear Forensics Unit,&#8221; equipped with a roof satellite dish and flashing lights, is parked nearby while one team member monitors a handheld device." title="In a desert landscape with scorched ground and scrub, four people in white hazmat suits with U.S. flag patches collect samples from the soil as a large plume of dark smoke rises in the background. A white &#8220;Dept. of Energy / DOD&#8221; vehicle labeled &#8220;Mobile Nuclear Forensics Unit,&#8221; equipped with a roof satellite dish and flashing lights, is parked nearby while one team member monitors a handheld device." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!CH9p!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Feed2624b-df8a-478a-8e08-d8ea2cb5ca05_1408x768.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Nuclear Forensic Scientists Analyzing radioactive debris</figcaption></figure></div><p>FACT #8: Nearly every member of the United States Congress is bought and paid for by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)<strong>. </strong></p><p>Israel would have all of the votes they need to get the United States to invade Iran.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png" width="500" height="257" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:257,&quot;width&quot;:500,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:92286,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A semicircular seating chart on a black background showing two sections of colored dots: blue seats on the left and red seats on the right, separated by a vertical split, with a single white dot at the far lower-right edge.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A semicircular seating chart on a black background showing two sections of colored dots: blue seats on the left and red seats on the right, separated by a vertical split, with a single white dot at the far lower-right edge." title="A semicircular seating chart on a black background showing two sections of colored dots: blue seats on the left and red seats on the right, separated by a vertical split, with a single white dot at the far lower-right edge." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!xrDw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ff5d769b1-351d-4ab6-9cde-fb75f30c6b0d_500x257.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Every black dot is an AIPAC sponsored politician</figcaption></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png" width="315" height="141" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:141,&quot;width&quot;:315,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:13351,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A small legend-style graphic lists seat counts by category: Democratic Party (84 seats) in blue, AIPAC-endorsed Democrats (129 seats) in black, AIPAC-endorsed Republicans (202 seats) in dark red, Republican Party (18 seats) in red, and Vacant (2 seats) in light gray. The date &#8220;15 March 2026&#8221; appears below.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A small legend-style graphic lists seat counts by category: Democratic Party (84 seats) in blue, AIPAC-endorsed Democrats (129 seats) in black, AIPAC-endorsed Republicans (202 seats) in dark red, Republican Party (18 seats) in red, and Vacant (2 seats) in light gray. The date &#8220;15 March 2026&#8221; appears below." title="A small legend-style graphic lists seat counts by category: Democratic Party (84 seats) in blue, AIPAC-endorsed Democrats (129 seats) in black, AIPAC-endorsed Republicans (202 seats) in dark red, Republican Party (18 seats) in red, and Vacant (2 seats) in light gray. The date &#8220;15 March 2026&#8221; appears below." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OlMR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa2016be8-b992-4225-b86a-1c8eee565ba9_315x141.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>On the flip side, if the Uranium was not recovered by the United States during the &#8220;downed pilot&#8221; scenario, it could mean 1 of 2 things:</p><p>A. It is still buried underneath the rubble and unaccounted for.<br>B. Mossad already recovered the Uranium during the fog of war<br><br>Both possible outcomes spell existential threats to the United States.</p><p>I hope and pray to Almighty G-d that such a situation never happens to our nation. </p><div><hr></div><p>The following posts were found online 20 June 2026&#128071;</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg" width="1206" height="828" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:828,&quot;width&quot;:1206,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:105498,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!v5Uz!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fca4b5222-f2ad-440d-b2fe-b80f0dba2204_1206x828.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!F3Yg!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg" width="1320" height="946" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/ee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:946,&quot;width&quot;:1320,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:123320,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/202626274?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fee3a8ec9-6495-4eb1-9588-6440f223efda_1320x946.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p><p></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Revelation 18:18 and the Yellowstone Eruption: Is This the Prophetic 'Smoke of Her Burning'?]]></title><description><![CDATA[My interpretation of Revelation 18]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/revelation-1818-and-the-yellowstone</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/revelation-1818-and-the-yellowstone</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2026 03:17:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg" width="334" height="501" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1152,&quot;width&quot;:768,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:334,&quot;bytes&quot;:233307,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/201677515?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!OTJO!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd4ccc2c8-ec1e-425d-8489-c334b2617952_768x1152.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong><br></strong><em><strong>Rev 18:1 </strong>After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory.</em></p><p><em><strong>Rev 18:2 </strong>And he called out with a mighty voice, &#8220;Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!<br>She has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit,<br>a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.</em></p><p><em><strong>Rev 18:3 </strong><mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For all nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality</mark>,<br>and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her, and<mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living</mark>.&#8221;</em><br>&#128070;<strong><mark data-color="#cfe2f3" style="background-color: rgb(207, 226, 243); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Only America fits this description</mark></strong>&#128070;<br>Nobody comes close America&#8217;s GDP<br>Total 2025 US goods + services exports: <strong>$3.43 trillion<br></strong>Total 2025 US goods + services imports: <strong>$4.33 trillion</strong><br>SOURCE&#8212;<a href="https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-december-and-annual-2025">https://www.bea.gov/news/2026/us-international-trade-goods-and-services-december-and-annual-2025</a><br>SOURCE&#8212;<a href="https://medium.com/@edward.kit82/which-country-is-a-porn-superpower-8ff777333990">https://medium.com/@edward.kit82/which-country-is-a-porn-superpower-8ff777333990</a></p><p><em><strong>Rev 18:4 </strong>Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, &#8220;Come out of her, my people,<br>lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues;<br><br><strong>Rev 18:5 </strong>for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.<br><br><strong>Rev 18:6 </strong>Pay her back as she herself has paid back others, and repay her double for her deeds; mix a double portion for her in the cup she mixed.<br><br><strong>Rev 18:7 </strong>As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment and mourning, since in her heart she says, &#8216;I sit as a queen, I am no widow,<br>and mourning I shall never see.&#8217;<br><br><strong>Rev 18:8 </strong><mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For this reason her plagues will come in a single day</mark>, death and mourning and famine, and <mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">she will be burned up with fire</mark>; for mighty is the Lord God who has judged her.&#8221;</em></p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong>The English word &#8220;plague&#8221; translates several Hebrew and Greek terms:</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Hebrew</strong>:</p><ul><li><p><em>Maggephah</em> (&#1502;&#1463;&#1490;&#1461;&#1468;&#1508;&#1464;&#1492;): <strong>A devastating</strong> &#8220;stroke&#8221; or smiting sent or permitted by God (often disease or <strong>slaughter</strong>).</p></li><li><p><em>Deber</em> (&#1491;&#1462;&#1468;&#1489;&#1462;&#1512;): Pestilence, <strong>destruction, or death</strong>.</p></li><li><p><em>Nega</em> (&#1504;&#1462;&#1490;&#1463;&#1506;): A &#8220;touch&#8221; or stroke, frequently used for afflictions like leprosy.</p></li><li><p><em>Makkah</em> (&#1502;&#1463;&#1499;&#1464;&#1468;&#1492;): A blow or wound.</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Greek (New Covenant)</strong>:</p><ul><li><p><em>Plege</em> (&#960;&#955;&#951;&#947;&#942;): <strong>A blow</strong>, stripe, wound, or plague.</p></li><li><p><em>Mastix</em> (&#956;&#940;&#963;&#964;&#953;&#958;): A scourge or whip; sometimes used for a <strong>recurring, tormenting affliction</strong>.</p></li></ul></li></ul><p><em><strong>Rev 18:9ESV </strong>And the kings of the earth, who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her, will weep and wail over her <mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">when they see the smoke of her burning</mark></em><strong>.</strong></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.sciencenews.org/article/supervolcano-blast-would-blanket-us-ash" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div 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src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp" width="860" height="672" 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srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!4iIq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2f114641-cd05-45ba-a8a2-6b6cd7ff410d_860x672.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Image courtesy of ScienceNews</figcaption></figure></div><p>&#128070;SOURCE<strong>&#8212;Because of television and technological advances, the entire world will be able to view the eruption and see the ash dispersion worldwide.<br><a href="https://www.usgs.gov/observatories/yvo/news/modeling-ash-distribution-yellowstone-supereruption">Modeling the Ash Distribution of a Yellowstone Supereruption</a></strong></p><p><strong>Rev 18:10ESV </strong>They will stand far off, in fear of her torment, and say, &#8220;Alas! Alas! You great city, you mighty city, Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.&#8221;</p><p><strong>Rev 18:11ESV </strong>And the merchants of the earth weep and mourn for her, <mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">since no one buys their cargo anymore</mark>,</p><p style="text-align: center;"><strong><mark data-color="#cfe2f3" style="background-color: rgb(207, 226, 243); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">MY OPINION&#8212;America will be covered in volcanic ash and it will destroy our national logistical supply line.</mark></strong></p><p><strong>Rev 18:12ESV </strong>cargo of gold, silver, jewels, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of articles of ivory, all kinds of articles of costly wood, bronze, iron and marble,</p><p><strong>Rev 18:13ESV </strong>cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, frankincense, wine, oil, fine flour, wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, <mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and slaves, that is, human souls</mark>.</p><p>SOURCE&#8212;<a href="http://U.S. Department of Justice &#8220;red dot map">https://www.movieguide.org/news-articles/why-tim-tebow-fights-one-of-the-worst-evils-in-the-world.html</a></p><p><strong>Rev 18:14ESV </strong>&#8220;The fruit for which your soul longed has gone from you, and all your delicacies and your splendors are lost to you, <strong>never to be found again</strong>!&#8221;</p><p><strong>Rev 18:15ESV </strong>The merchants of these wares, who gained wealth from her, <strong>will stand far off, in fear of her torment</strong>, weeping and mourning aloud,</p><p style="text-align: center;"><mark data-color="#cfe2f3" style="background-color: rgb(207, 226, 243); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">OPINION&#8212;People will not be able to come to the United States because the ash will destroy the engines of the airplanes.</mark></p><p><strong>Rev 18:16ESV </strong>&#8220;Alas, alas, for the great city that was clothed in fine linen, in purple and scarlet, adorned with gold, with jewels, and with pearls!</p><p><strong>Rev 18:17ESV </strong><mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For in a single hour all this wealth has been laid waste</mark>.&#8221; And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off</p><p style="text-align: center;"><mark data-color="#cfe2f3" style="background-color: rgb(207, 226, 243); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">OPINION&#8212;All of the US ports will be closed because of the destruction</mark></p><p><strong>Rev 18:18ESV </strong>and cried out as <mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">they saw the smoke of her burning</mark>, &#8220;What city was like the great city?&#8221;</p><p><strong>Rev 18:19ESV </strong>And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out,<br>&#8220;Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth!<br><strong><mark data-color="#ffff00" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For in a single hour she has been laid waste.</mark></strong></p><div><hr></div><p style="text-align: center;">Hollywood always paints a good picture of what it might look like.  <br><em>Pay attention to what Woody Harrelson says in this clip.</em></p><div id="youtube2-S1Kbym7WYzs" class="youtube-wrap" data-attrs="{&quot;videoId&quot;:&quot;S1Kbym7WYzs&quot;,&quot;startTime&quot;:null,&quot;endTime&quot;:null}" data-component-name="Youtube2ToDOM"><div class="youtube-inner"><iframe src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/S1Kbym7WYzs?rel=0&amp;autoplay=0&amp;showinfo=0&amp;enablejsapi=0" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" gesture="media" allow="autoplay; fullscreen" allowautoplay="true" allowfullscreen="true" width="728" height="409"></iframe></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why the English bible exists—a shocking truth]]></title><description><![CDATA[This historical fact has wrecked me]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/why-the-english-bible-existsa-shocking</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/why-the-english-bible-existsa-shocking</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 14 May 2026 03:59:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/197629619/a5eabe9ce95a5256f9928ca3da02e27b.mp3" length="0" type="audio/mpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I cannot believe I&#8217;ve taken the Bible for granted my entire life.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navigating the Dark Web Safely: A Professional Guide to Privacy, Anonymity, and Operational Security 🎭]]></title><description><![CDATA[Privacy when your life depends on it]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/navigating-the-dark-web-safely-a</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/navigating-the-dark-web-safely-a</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 01:08:04 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wIfK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4417c199-2807-4505-9279-0b236e3e6882_781x395.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg" width="1456" height="728" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:728,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:41470,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/194862874?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!8MaK!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F05028324-c91d-4ebe-9121-6c6a3387351a_1920x960.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>The <strong>dark web</strong> primarily refers to websites hosted as <strong>.onion</strong> services on the <strong>Tor network</strong>. Unlike the surface web, these sites are only accessible through the Tor (The Onion Router) protocol, which provides strong anonymity by design.</p><p><strong>How Tor Works</strong></p><p>Tor routes your internet traffic through a series of volunteer-operated relays&#8212;typically three: a <strong>Guard</strong> (entry)&#8230;</p>
      <p>
          <a href="https://www.edwardhood.com/p/navigating-the-dark-web-safely-a">
              Read more
          </a>
      </p>
   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to get inside information on companies before buying stock]]></title><description><![CDATA[How Public Sitemaps Reveal Product Roadmaps Before Official Announcements]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/how-to-get-inside-information-on</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/how-to-get-inside-information-on</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:38:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="5300" height="3533" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:3533,&quot;width&quot;:5300,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:null,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;a statue of a bull on a brick street&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:null,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="a statue of a bull on a brick street" title="a statue of a bull on a brick street" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1689582236730-fa3076847f45?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwxOXx8c3RvY2slMjBtYXJrZXR8ZW58MHx8fHwxNzc1ODQ3NzMyfDA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@haraldip">Harri P</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p><em><strong>Legal Disclaimer</strong></em></p><p><em>This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. The techniques and observations described herein are based on publicly available data and standard web practices. Nothing in this article constitutes financial, investment, legal, tax, or business advice of any kind.</em></p><p><em>The information presented does not guarantee results, profitability, or competitive advantage. Monitoring public sitemaps, websites, or any other openly accessible data carries inherent risks, including potential changes in website structures, legal or regulatory developments, or alterations in a company&#8217;s practices. Readers are solely responsible for ensuring their own compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and website terms of service.</em></p><p><em>Before making any investment, business, or strategic decisions based on competitive intelligence or market observations, you should consult with qualified professionals, including but not limited to licensed financial advisors, attorneys, accountants, or other appropriate experts. Past performance or observed patterns are not indicative of future outcomes.</em></p><p><em>The author and publisher expressly disclaim any liability for losses, damages, or other consequences that may arise from the use or reliance on the information contained in this article.</em></p><h1>How to get inside information on companies before buying stock</h1><p>In today&#8217;s hyper-competitive business environment, staying ahead of rivals often depends on timely intelligence about their strategic direction. Yet many companies inadvertently disclose their future plans through a simple, publicly accessible file that most executives never consider: the humble *sitemap.xml*.</p>
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   ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Sunlight as a Service ☀️]]></title><description><![CDATA[New startup seeks to sell sunlight for $5,000/hr]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/sunlight-as-a-service</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/sunlight-as-a-service</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:55:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HYIR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F100f8e6d-7b94-44be-807a-0b94c25c46d5_1168x784.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;49e5df78-0928-4068-ad84-e6b72174090b&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p>There&#8217;s a new startup which seeks to place 50,000 mirrors in orbit to sell sunlight anywhere on Earth.</p><p>The idea is both brilliant and foolish.  Here is a comment I saw on social media.</p><p></p><p><strong>$5,000 an hour. for sunlight. from space.</strong></p><p><strong>a startup putting 50,000 mirrors in orbit to sell sunlight anywhere on earth</strong></p><p><strong>I thought this was the dumbest idea Ive ever heard</strong></p><p><strong>then it clicked</strong></p><p><strong>- firefighting aircraft get GROUNDED every night at sunset. pilots cant see terrain. fires burn unchecked for 10 hours straight.</strong></p><p><strong>and heres whats wild - water drops are 60% more effective at night. cooler temps. less wind. but nobody can fly.</strong></p><p><strong>light up the fire line from orbit. let them work. the US spends $3-5B a year fighting wildfires. this is a rounding error.</strong></p><p><strong>- a single late frost in Napa or Florida citrus can wipe out an entire season. $854M in frost losses last year alone.</strong></p><p><strong>but the crazy part - the real buyer isnt even the farmer. its the crop insurance company trying to avoid a $500M payout by spending $50k on a few hours of orbital sunlight</strong></p><p><strong>- fog costs London Heathrow over $100M a year in delays. fog burns off when sunlight hits the ground. you speed that up by 30 minutes and the value per hour is $500K-$1M. $5k/hour is pocket change</strong></p><p><strong>- military forward operating base at night? forget night vision goggles. just light up the whole compound from space and go get it</strong></p><p><strong>- 4 million people above the Arctic Circle live in MONTHS of total darkness. depression. productivity drops. everything slows down. you could give entire communities twilight during polar night</strong></p><p><strong>- 150,000 babies die or get brain damage every year in developing countries from jaundice because the cure is literally just light and they dont have electricity for it.</strong></p><p><strong>beam it down from orbit. no power grid needed.</strong></p><p><strong>I went down this rabbit hole for an hour and every use case is more insane than the last</strong></p><p><strong>260,000 people from 157 countries on the waitlist. each dropping $1,000-5,000. Sequoia backed them - first space investment since SpaceX. the Air Force already signed a contract.</strong></p><p><strong>mirrors weigh 35 lbs and theyre the size of a basketball court. 4-10x brighter than a full moon. built by a 28 year old ex-SpaceX engineer.</strong></p><p><strong>this went from &#8220;dumbest thing Ive ever seen&#8221; to holy shit in about 10 minutes...</strong></p><p><strong>Source ~ Jamesoncamp on X</strong></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HYIR!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F100f8e6d-7b94-44be-807a-0b94c25c46d5_1168x784.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!HYIR!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F100f8e6d-7b94-44be-807a-0b94c25c46d5_1168x784.jpeg" width="1168" height="784" 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stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Shadowborn iOS Guide: Beginner’s to Advanced Playbook]]></title><description><![CDATA[Introduction]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/shadowborn-ios-guide-beginners-to</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/shadowborn-ios-guide-beginners-to</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 01:26:51 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MSay!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F680e73f3-be75-4fe6-8ab6-3286c803eb73_686x386.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Introduction</h2><p><strong>Shadowborn</strong> is a thrilling offline single-player action RPG for iOS (and Android), blending whimsical, vibrant visuals with dark fantasy elements. Developed by Viva Games S.L. (Viva Studios), it&#8217;s designed for quick, arcade-style sessions with 3-4 minute missions packed into tight loops of combat, exploration, and progression. Dive into a world of serene glades with unicorns, moonlit mermaids, shadowy ambushes, epic bosses, and cursed ruins. The game emphasizes responsive combat, deep customization, and high replayability via heirlooms and a retirement system.</p><p>Currently in early access (launched ~July 2025), it draws Diablo/Path of Exile inspiration with innovative mobile-optimized mechanics like dual-wield combat and puzzles. Rated 4.9/5 from 1.3K reviews on the App Store, it&#8217;s praised for polish, fun puzzles, and offline play&#8212;perfect for short bursts. Download free from the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shadowborn/id6738343504">App Store</a> (626.8 MB, iOS 13.0+). In-app purchases exist for packs (e.g., $1.99-$24.99 for diamonds, boosters), but it&#8217;s F2P-friendly with grindable progression.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gQNQ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e494d1-660b-484a-9873-7dc6f235e04a_686x386.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!gQNQ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F73e494d1-660b-484a-9873-7dc6f235e04a_686x386.jpeg 424w, 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2>Getting Started: Classes and Controls</h2><h2>Class Selection</h2><p>Choose your starting class wisely&#8212;it shapes early play but can be hybridized later:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Warrior/Dark Knight</strong>: Melee tank with longsword &amp; shield. High durability, steady damage. Best for beginners wanting forgiveness.</p></li><li><p><strong>Sorcerer/Enchanter/Shadow Mage</strong>: Ranged magic (e.g., fireball, spellbook). Area damage but fragile&#8212;position carefully.</p></li><li><p><strong>Rogue/Swiftblade</strong>: Agile bow user with stealth. Precision crits, evasion, fast strikes. Rewards mobility.</p></li></ul><p>Multi-class blending unlocks via resources for hybrid builds (e.g., Warrior + stealth).</p><h2>Controls</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Arcade-style</strong> (default): Simple taps/swipes for attacks, dodges, skills. Responsive with contextual takedowns.</p></li><li><p><strong>Dual-stick</strong>: Optional for precise movement/aiming. Combat feels &#8220;sticky&#8221; and impactful&#8212;dodge enemy patterns, time blocks/evasions.</p></li></ul><h2>Progression Systems</h2><p><strong>Skills &amp; Mastery Tree</strong></p><ul><li><p>Unlock class-specific abilities (e.g., projectile immunity, AoE attacks).</p></li><li><p><strong>Mastery Attributes</strong>:</p></li><li><p><strong>Attribute</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Benefits</strong></p></li><li><p><strong>Strength</strong></p></li><li><p>Weapon damage (melee/ranged)</p></li><li><p><strong>Agility</strong></p></li><li><p>Speed, evasion</p></li><li><p><strong>Toughness</strong></p></li><li><p>Health, resistances</p></li></ul><p>Balance to amplify strengths or fix weaknesses. Level cap ~14 early on&#8212;grind dungeons 20x for XP/abilities (e.g., disintegrate at higher levels).</p><h2>Cross-Class &amp; Specializations</h2><p>Spend resources to steal skills (e.g., Rogue bow mastery for consistent DPS, Pistol line attacks for CC). Creates synergies like Sorcerer pistols.</p><ul><li><p>Drops from enemies/missions: Weapons (e.g., Dark Fang Katana&#8212;damage + lifesteal), accessories (Amulet of Protection&#8212;resistances + HP).</p></li><li><p>Prioritize synergies (e.g., lifesteal for sustain). Break down junk for materials.</p></li><li><p>Shop items have level reqs&#8212;grind for gold/gear.</p></li></ul><h2>Combat Tips</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Basics</strong>: Basic attacks + dodges + skills. Read telegraphs&#8212;evade projectiles, block heavies.</p></li><li><p><strong>Weapons</strong>: Start 2H, switch dual-wield (junk swords) after Strength/Swords levels. Spells need book in hotbar.</p></li><li><p><strong>Bosses/Elites</strong>: Whack tentacle bases to retreat them. Time parries/dodges.</p></li><li><p><strong>Positioning</strong>: Ranged stay back; melee tank with shield.</p></li><li><p><strong>Sustain</strong>: Lifesteal gear, potions (IAP optional). </p></li></ul><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg" width="686" height="386" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/fb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:386,&quot;width&quot;:686,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:118020,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188856094?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!wcJq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Ffb55967a-a4f6-431a-b787-29ae43d5ea77_686x386.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2>Quests, Story &amp; World Map</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Story</strong>: Fight shadows/Necromancer via NPC Ulric. Quest log tracks mains/sides.</p></li><li><p><strong>Missions</strong>: Quick objectives on compact maps. Fast-travel + mounts (horses) for efficiency.</p></li><li><p><strong>Exploration</strong>: Secrets, ambushes, lore. Balance objectives with side paths.</p></li><li><p><strong>Regions</strong>: Lost City (early), Church, Corruption (later areas&#8212;updates add content).</p></li><li><p><strong>Unlocking Later Content</strong>: Grind levels/quests; patches expand (e.g., &#8220;second half&#8221; via updates). Replay for gear/XP.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Prioritize</strong>: Mains first, then sides for loot/XP.</p><h2>Secrets &amp; Puzzles</h2><p>Early access has hidden collectibles/paths:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Bronze Eyes (Lost City Puzzle)</strong>:</p><ol><li><p>First eye: Before the wall thing.</p></li><li><p>Second: Lower level&#8212;explore further, return.</p></li><li><p>Place <strong>both at once</strong> in sockets.</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>Church Torch Fire</strong>: Light torches in correct order (video guides recommend). Unlocks Path of Flame/beyond.</p></li><li><p><strong>All Secrets</strong>: Check YouTube for &#8220;ALL SHADOWBORN SECRETS&#8221; (e.g., new locations, hidden quests). Discord communities share updates.</p></li></ul><p>Explore fully&#8212;secrets boost progression!</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg" width="686" height="386" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/a16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:386,&quot;width&quot;:686,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:122597,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188856094?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!XbUw!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fa16d649d-2a06-4c4c-ad52-5eb8a6f6e769_686x386.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><h2>Replayability &amp; Endgame</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Heirlooms/Retirement</strong>: Retire hero for bonuses on New Game+ (gear, stats carry over vibes).</p></li><li><p><strong>Achievements/Lore</strong>: Hidden unlocks per run.</p></li><li><p><strong>Grind</strong>: Dungeons for better drops until cap&#8212;rerun 20x+. Updates add content.</p></li></ul><h2>Advanced Tips &amp; Tricks</h2><ul><li><p><strong>Early Game</strong>: Warrior for safety. Grind Lost City for levels/gear. Dual-wield ASAP.</p></li><li><p><strong>Puzzles</strong>: Eyes/torches need both items simultaneously.</p></li><li><p><strong>Efficiency</strong>: Explore 100%, but run past mobs if low HP (autosave on death, no consumable loss).</p></li><li><p><strong>F2P</strong>: Avoid rushing IAP&#8212;grind viable. Daily patches improve.</p></li><li><p><strong>Mobile Optimization</strong>: Short sessions shine; play offline anywhere.</p></li><li><p><strong>Communities</strong>: Reddit (r/AndroidGaming), YouTube walkthroughs (Parts 1-4), developer Discord.</p></li></ul><p>Master these, and you&#8217;ll conquer the shadows! Updates ongoing&#8212;check App Store for news. Happy hunting! &#127918;</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MSay!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F680e73f3-be75-4fe6-8ab6-3286c803eb73_686x386.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MSay!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F680e73f3-be75-4fe6-8ab6-3286c803eb73_686x386.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!MSay!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F680e73f3-be75-4fe6-8ab6-3286c803eb73_686x386.jpeg 848w, 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class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h2>This post was brought to you by Cape Wireless&#8212;&#8212;Truly Private Wireless Service</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://www.cape.co" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png" width="1117" height="229" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:229,&quot;width&quot;:1117,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:116831,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.cape.co&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" title="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Use discount code &#8220;<strong>C8GWVXZY</strong>&#8221; save $10/mo off your bill.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Loopholes in the Privacy Act of 1974, FISA, ECPA, and 4th Amendment📜]]></title><description><![CDATA[Rights deprived are rights denied]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/loopholes-in-the-privacy-act-of-1974</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/loopholes-in-the-privacy-act-of-1974</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 04:08:55 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lC0a!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4710cb25-85c6-417e-9c39-22347f75fa31_640x640.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2>Privacy Act of 1974 </h2><p>The Privacy Act of 1974 is designed to protect individuals' personal information held by federal agencies, but there are some potential loopholes, including: <br>1. Private entities are not covered: The Privacy Act only applies to federal agencies so personal information held by private companies and organizations is not protected. <br>2. National security and law enforcement exceptions: The Privacy Act permits the disclosure of personal information for national security or law enforcement purposes, without requiring an individual's consent. <br>3. Routine use exemptions: Federal agencies can disclose personal information for "routine uses" that are specified in their systems of records notices, without the need for individual consent or notice. <br>4. Exemptions for congressional and judicial proceedings: The Privacy Act provides exemptions for personal information that is sought in connection with congressional or judicial proceedings. <br>5. Lack of enforcement: There is no private right of action to enforce the Privacy Act, and the Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing the act, which could result in a lack of accountability for agencies that violate the act.</p><h2>Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)</h2><p>The ECPA has several loopholes that can be exploited by law enforcement agencies and government officials. One of the biggest loopholes is the "third-party doctrine, which states that information given to a third party, such as an email provider or cloud storage service, loses its expectation of privacy. This means that law enforcement agencies can obtain this information without a warrant. </p><p>Additionally, the ECPA does not explicitly require law enforcement agencies to notify individuals when their information has been obtained, and it does not provide clear guidelines for how long the government can retain this information. There are also questions about the scope of the law, and whether it applies to newer forms of communication such as social media and instant messaging.</p><h2>FISA, Section 702</h2><p>There are a few potential loopholes or areas where the language of Section 702 of FISA could be subject to interpretation:</p><p>1. "Targeting" non-U.S. persons: While the law prohibits the intentional targeting U.S. persons, it is possible that the targeting of non-U.S. persons could still result in the collection of information about U.S. persons who are communicating with them. 2. "Inadvertent" collection: The law allows for the collection of communications that are "incidentally" or "inadvertently" acquired, as long as they are "minimized" to protect the privacy of U.S. persons. However, the definition of "minimization" and what constitutes "inadvertent" collection can be subject to interpretation.<br>3. "About" collection: Section 702 allows for the collection of communications that are "about" a foreign intelligence target, even if the target is not a party to the communication. This has raised concerns about the potential for the collection of communications that mention a target in passing but are otherwise unrelated to foreign intelligence. <br>4. Access to collected information: The law allows for the dissemination of collected information to a wide range of government agencies, including law enforcement agencies. This has raised concerns about the potential for the use of Section 702 to circumvent the requirements of other laws, such as the Fourth Amendment or the ECPA, that govern the collection and use of electronic communications.</p><h2>4th Amendment</h2><p>The 4th Amendment can be abused by the government in various ways, such as: <br>1. Unreasonable Searches and Seizures: The government can conduct searches and seizures without a warrant or probable cause, or with a warrant that lacks specificity, which violates the 4th Amendment's requirement for a particular description of the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. <br>2. Warrantless Wiretapping: The government can conduct electronic surveillance such as wiretapping, without a warrant, which can violate the 4th Amendment' protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. <br>3. Racial and Ethnic Profiling: The government can use race or ethnicity as a basis for surveillance or searches, which violates the 4th Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures and due process of law. <br>4. National Security Letters: The government can issue National Security Letters (NSLs) that require individuals or organizations to provide information without a warrant or judicial review, which can violate the 4th Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.<br>5. Civil Asset Forfeiture: The government can seize property without a criminal conviction, which can violate the 4th Amendment's protection against unreasonable searches and seizures and due process of law. <br>6. Border Searches: The government can conduct searches and seizures at the border without a warrant or probable cause, which can violate the 4th Amendment's requirement for a particular description of the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized. <br>7. Violation of privacy: The Fourth Amendment also protects individuals' right to privacy. However, the government can abuse this by conducting warrantless searches of homes, cars, and personal belongings. <br>8. Excessive use of force: The Fourth Amendment prohibits the use of excessive force during a search or seizure. However, law enforcement officers can sometimes use excessive force, resulting in physical harm or injury to the person being searched or seized. <br>9. Lack of transparency: The government may not disclose the full extent of its surveillance activities, which can make it difficult for individuals to know if their Fourth Amendment rights are being violated. <br>10. Misuse of technology: The government may use technology, such as facial recognition or cell phone tracking, to conduct searches and seizures without a warrant or probable cause, which can violate Fourth Amendment protections.</p><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Mark of the Beast]]></title><description><![CDATA[Is not what you think...&#129327;]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/mark-of-the-beast</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/mark-of-the-beast</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Sat, 21 Feb 2026 03:48:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If you are familiar with the Bible, chances are you have heard about the &#8220;Mark of the Beast&#8221;. If you are not sure what I am talking about, let me educate you. In the Book of Revelation, Chapter 13, verse 16 and 17, it states &#8220;And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.&#8221; Many people over the centuries have speculated the Mark of the Beast is literal like tattoo or even more recently, a small microchip. These are all wrong.</p><div class="pullquote"><p>&#8220;And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.&#8221;</p></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp" width="700" height="443" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:443,&quot;width&quot;:700,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:37864,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/187929923?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!WCGn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd70b0a33-e28b-48b1-81ac-38c58217cd28_700x443.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div class="pullquote"><p><em>The mark of the beast is your biometric profile. Every single person who has ever been born has unique biometric profile. The veins in your hand are different than everyone else on the Earth. Your facial profile is also unique.</em></p></div><p>The &#8220;Mark&#8221; is simply a digital record which is associated to your biometric profile. The technology to scan veins and facial profiles already exists and has been tested on a national scale. We used it in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Here are some links to back up my claims. Feel free to validate with your own research.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/world/asia/14identity.html" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp" width="1024" height="683" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:683,&quot;width&quot;:1024,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:32572,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A close-up outdoor scene shows a bearded man shielding his eyes while two soldiers in camouflage and gloves examine his face, with one soldier holding a piece of equipment in the foreground against a bright, arid landscape.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/webp&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/world/asia/14identity.html&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/187929923?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A close-up outdoor scene shows a bearded man shielding his eyes while two soldiers in camouflage and gloves examine his face, with one soldier holding a piece of equipment in the foreground against a bright, arid landscape." title="A close-up outdoor scene shows a bearded man shielding his eyes while two soldiers in camouflage and gloves examine his face, with one soldier holding a piece of equipment in the foreground against a bright, arid landscape." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!FX-C!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe5ffbf89-9fd7-4f64-85dc-f91ddc830f0e_1024x683.webp 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">To Track Militants, U.S. Has System That Never Forgets a Face</figcaption></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://digital-commons.usnwc.edu/ils/vol97/iss1/49/" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zUyy!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zUyy!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zUyy!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zUyy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!zUyy!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg" width="1000" height="500" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e4130e97-7d43-4ad0-a369-c746d721bcc8_1000x500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:500,&quot;width&quot;:1000,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:79927,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A split-image close-up of a woman&#8217;s face: the left side is natural, while the right side is overlaid with a digital facial-recognition mesh and blue tint. 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15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Know Thy Enemy: The Use of Biometrics in Military Operations and International Humanitarian Law</figcaption></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.biometricupdate.com/202601/global-id-awarded-us-patent-for-finger-vein-access-control-system" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 1272w, 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tabletop with a blurred background featuring large text.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.biometricupdate.com/202601/global-id-awarded-us-patent-for-finger-vein-access-control-system&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/187929923?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A close-up shows a person pressing their thumb on a small blue desktop fingerprint scanner labeled &#8220;GLOBAL ID,&#8221; resting on a tabletop with a blurred background featuring large text." title="A close-up shows a person pressing their thumb on a small blue desktop fingerprint scanner labeled &#8220;GLOBAL ID,&#8221; resting on a tabletop with a blurred background featuring large text." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!kOkM!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9f65fb42-6761-4801-be95-2f9f600d3dc4_1133x707.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Global ID awarded US patent for finger vein access control system</figcaption></figure></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/introducing-amazon-one-a-new-innovation-to-make-everyday-activities-effortless" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" 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&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.aboutamazon.com/news/innovation-at-amazon/introducing-amazon-one-a-new-innovation-to-make-everyday-activities-effortless&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/187929923?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcdf35d5d-4f36-44c2-90a8-264cca23a892_1320x743.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A person in a red sweater holds their hand over a contactless biometric scanner at a store entrance gate, with a green directional arrow sign and supermarket aisles blurred in the background. 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" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!N2LU!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcdf35d5d-4f36-44c2-90a8-264cca23a892_1320x743.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!N2LU!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcdf35d5d-4f36-44c2-90a8-264cca23a892_1320x743.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!N2LU!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcdf35d5d-4f36-44c2-90a8-264cca23a892_1320x743.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!N2LU!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcdf35d5d-4f36-44c2-90a8-264cca23a892_1320x743.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption"><strong>Introducing Amazon One&#8212;a new innovation to make everyday activities effortless</strong></figcaption></figure></div><p>The time has not come for mass enrollment, but some major event will be the catalyst. Whatever happens will be so bad that most people on the planet will enroll into this system. I will not comment or speculate what that might be. </p><p>The sad part is, because of the immense pressure coming from your own family and society, you will probably struggle with the decision of enrollment. Please don&#8217;t. </p><p>Most people will enroll into this system because it isn&#8217;t painful nor invasive. It&#8217;s as simple as taking a picture. The current generation of human beings are being raised cellphones. They are closer to their cell phone than they are to human beings. They G 00gle things that they won&#8217;t share with anyone else. I don&#8217;t know what language they will use to convince people to enroll into the biometric system, but people will do it in mass.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080" width="5472" height="3080" 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srcset="https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 424w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 848w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1272w, https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1602027438676-ad64751bdbc1?crop=entropy&amp;cs=tinysrgb&amp;fit=max&amp;fm=jpg&amp;ixid=M3wzMDAzMzh8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw4fHxzaGVlcHxlbnwwfHx8fDE3NzE2NDUyMzl8MA&amp;ixlib=rb-4.1.0&amp;q=80&amp;w=1080 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@andreaelphotography">Andrea Lightfoot</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure></div><p>Never use biometrics to pay for goods and services. Never use biometrics to validate your own identity. If you have a biometric profile, DELETE IT. </p><p>For more information about the Mark of the Beast, please read Revelation 13:1-15 </p><p>The Ruach-ha-Kodesh (Holy Spirit) prompted me to write this message to you and your families. Remember the words of our King, </p><div class="pullquote"><p>&#8220;I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.&#8221; John 13:34</p></div><div class="subscription-widget-wrap-editor" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe&quot;,&quot;language&quot;:&quot;en&quot;}" data-component-name="SubscribeWidgetToDOM"><div class="subscription-widget show-subscribe"><div class="preamble"><p class="cta-caption">Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.</p></div><form class="subscription-widget-subscribe"><input type="email" class="email-input" name="email" placeholder="Type your email&#8230;" tabindex="-1"><input type="submit" class="button primary" value="Subscribe"><div class="fake-input-wrapper"><div class="fake-input"></div><div class="fake-button"></div></div></form></div></div><p></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Military Biography | Edward W. Hood]]></title><description><![CDATA[2004 - 2021]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/military-biography-edward-w-hood</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/military-biography-edward-w-hood</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 04:44:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!tWM4!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg" width="356" height="445" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1600,&quot;width&quot;:1280,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:356,&quot;bytes&quot;:174349,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188458218?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0332a2fe-829e-4b45-ad4a-a682bc2b4d89_1280x1600.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" 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class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">SSgt Edward W. Hood</figcaption></figure></div><p>Edward W. Hood is a dedicated Air Force Veteran, husband, father, and entrepreneur based in Deming, New Mexico. He currently serves as the National Commander of the Commanders Coalition; a veterans&#8217; service organization focused on supporting and connecting veteran leaders. He is an active member of several esteemed veterans&#8217; organizations, including the American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Sons of the American Legion, and the Air &amp; Space Forces Association.</p><p>Hood&#8217;s distinguished military career began at age 15 with his service in the Unit FL-933 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC). As a standout cadet, he contributed meaningfully to the program through his roles in the Color Guard and as Commander of the Model Rocketry Team. His participation in community events was particularly noteworthy; he played a key role in presenting the colors at the dedication of a Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker in Madison, Florida, on April 8, 2000.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d2cef7f2-8fb5-4f51-9651-f44892dd7925_4082x5776.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d04b955b-6b99-4484-9bac-2a12acc3616f_271x357.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/1a7ed74d-f218-4e88-97fa-9f3029752051_4320x3240.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/053fdead-5f45-400e-976c-e88eb15eba5a_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Enlisting in the United States Air Force on May 4, 2004, Hood quickly demonstrated strong leadership and integrity. During basic training with the 331st Training Squadron, Flight 536, at Lackland Air Force Base, his Military Training Instructor selected him to serve as the Flight Office Technician, an early recognition of his potential to guide and inspire fellow Airman.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6c6392c6-5551-40ad-8f1b-063a6c3508a1_2560x1920.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/aba75163-6ed2-4bcd-82bb-5ea233afdbc3_2048x1536.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2d957478-d6ca-46b1-b10e-91cfa9e2de07_2592x1944.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/b268268c-5fec-4ea3-9022-ba7b68b38a1b_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>In June 2004, Airman First Class Hood arrived at Keesler Air Force Base for technical training in electronics theory and Ground Radio Communications. Over the ensuing eight months, he excelled academically while volunteering as an Airman Leader to support his peers.</p><div class="native-video-embed" data-component-name="VideoPlaceholder" data-attrs="{&quot;mediaUploadId&quot;:&quot;6b1517db-81f4-4a51-8828-f1bc3ca028bd&quot;,&quot;duration&quot;:null}"></div><p>Upon graduation, Hood reported to his first permanent duty station at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, from February 2005 to March 2007. Assigned to the 49th Communications Squadron, he also served on the base Honor Guard, honing his precision and discipline in ceremonial duties. During this period, he deployed to Camp As Sayliyah, Qatar, providing critical emergency communications support to the Qatari government during the 2006 Doha Asian Games. For this service, he was awarded the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Upon returning to Holloman, he continued with the Honor Guard before transferring to Moody Air Force Base.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/86faf383-a7c8-4dc4-9438-8ad9dd8a0e1d_1280x960.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/97063030-7cd3-4397-9f0c-a2266b363c4f_3072x2048.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/f8159bc7-4009-4d11-831a-337494817a7a_2800x2000.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2054d408-2402-4a02-b47a-b753f8d5050d_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!QGfn!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg" width="1456" height="967" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:967,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:3162182,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A large group photo of U.S. military personnel in desert camouflage uniforms, with a few people in different uniforms and civilian clothes, posed on a grassy lawn in front of a large evergreen tree and a beige building with barred windows; a silver SUV is parked in the background. Text at the bottom reads &#8220;HQ Doha Asian Games Communications Cell Oct - Dec 06,&#8221; and a circular &#8220;Doha Asian Games 2006&#8221; emblem appears in the lower-left corner.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188458218?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0ddb2c4d-0895-4ecd-a4e0-664814c8be4e_4288x2848.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A large group photo of U.S. military personnel in desert camouflage uniforms, with a few people in different uniforms and civilian clothes, posed on a grassy lawn in front of a large evergreen tree and a beige building with barred windows; a silver SUV is parked in the background. 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His prior advanced training proved invaluable, earning him recognition as the 2007 Honor Guardsman of the Quarter.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg" width="342" height="478.70604395604397" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/bdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:2038,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:342,&quot;bytes&quot;:1623384,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A formal portrait of a young U.S. Air Force service member in a dark blue dress uniform with ribbons, badges, and a silver shoulder cord, posed in front of a partially visible American flag and a gray studio backdrop. &quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188458218?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A formal portrait of a young U.S. Air Force service member in a dark blue dress uniform with ribbons, badges, and a silver shoulder cord, posed in front of a partially visible American flag and a gray studio backdrop. " title="A formal portrait of a young U.S. Air Force service member in a dark blue dress uniform with ribbons, badges, and a silver shoulder cord, posed in front of a partially visible American flag and a gray studio backdrop. " srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!53DX!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fbdb556b8-0a19-4a6e-bc3f-d63daf8d526b_1500x2100.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">SrA Edward W. Hood 2007 Honor Guardsman of the Quarter</figcaption></figure></div><p>From 2007 to 2010, Staff Sergeant Hood was assigned to the 23rd Communications Squadron at Moody Air Force Base. During this tour, he deployed in support of Combined Joint Task Force&#8211;Horn of Africa and the Counterinsurgency Training Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, completing over 38 missions supporting NATO-ISAF.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/366904f7-b8cd-43cd-a18d-47732146e117_3264x2448.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0c478611-5737-4e8d-97c7-8e2388b400bd_604x453.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e8198dd5-d714-4a6c-838e-1c9142e4254e_720x540.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/be283464-7754-4694-b808-1cb6f84b25dc_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>In 2015, Hood reenlisted in the Air National Guard, joining the 101st Air Communications Squadron, where he supported various missions and earned multiple commendations. He later transferred to the 224th Joint Communications Support Squadron in the Georgia Air National Guard.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/6c1cd076-42e9-46d9-9847-4ac37ad61c6e_2560x1440.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d0459268-bb58-4ebf-91c0-87a117c233ae_720x960.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/388b2a6f-4d3f-4236-8538-7a02b75da9fc_5312x2988.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/91eb51f8-da9d-4d4c-8f87-1634ee2e2cf6_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Toward the conclusion of his second enlistment, an injury led to his Honorable Discharge from military service on May 19, 2021.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/025b4534-f387-4eb2-9ef8-45ac7620a5cc_4160x3120.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c96aa291-1265-4aa5-8003-4e740226fd6d_4160x3120.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0f336299-ba95-4690-a121-d82c3a932467_2250x3000.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Edward meets CMSgt Kaleth \&quot;Enlisted Jesus\&quot; Wright IN PERSON while attending the Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Florida.&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/72785262-aeea-4d16-b158-117cb1f50ce1_1456x474.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Throughout his career, Edward W. Hood exemplified commitment, leadership, and service to his country, fellow service members, and the Veteran community. Today, he continues to advocate for veterans through his leadership roles and entrepreneurial endeavors.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg" width="1456" height="1092" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/cc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1092,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:607455,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188458218?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!nr-L!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fcc708988-22dc-4916-b06d-dfbec7608787_2016x1512.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">SSgt Edward Hood serving as the NCOIC for the Savannah Cyber Training Center (2019)</figcaption></figure></div><h2><strong>EDUCATION</strong></h2><p>Dec 03- Manufacturing &amp; Maintenance Technology, Coastal Georgia Community College<br>Dec 03- Process Control Operator, Coastal Georgia Community College<br>June 04- <a href="https://youtu.be/UuYU-x_tutg">Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX</a><br>Jul 04- <a href="https://www.keesler.af.mil/About-Us/Tech-Training-Info/">Airman Leadership &amp; Drill Course, Keesler AFB, MS</a><br>Feb 05 - <a href="https://www.keesler.af.mil/About-Us/Tech-Training-Info/">Ground Radio Communications Apprentice Course, Keesler AFB, MS</a><br>Apr 06- USAF Honor Guard Basic Protocol, Honors, and Ceremonies Course, Holloman AFB, NM<br>Dec 07- <a href="https://www.keesler.af.mil/About-Us/Tech-Training-Info/">Joint Task Force Combat Radio Course, Keesler AFB, MS</a><br>Dec 08- <a href="https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Barnes/Airman-Leadership-School/">Airman Leadership School, Moody AFB, GA</a><br>Feb 19- <a href="https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/CCAF/documents/2022-2024_CCAF_General_Catalog-Change1.pdf">Associate of Applied Science Electronic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force</a><br>Currently Pursuing&#8212;<a href="https://www.wgu.edu/online-it-degrees/cybersecurity-information-assurance-bachelors-program.html">Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, Western Governors University</a></p><h2><strong>ASSIGNMENTS</strong></h2><p>May 04 - June 04, <a href="https://www.basictraining.af.mil/Units/331st-Training-Squadron/">331st Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas</a></p><p>June 04 - Feb 05, <a href="https://www.keesler.af.mil/About-Us/Tech-Training-Info/">338th Training Squadron, Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi</a></p><p>Feb 05 - March 07, <a href="https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432184/49-communications-squadron-acc/">49th Communications Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico</a></p><p>March 07 - May 10, <a href="https://www.moody.af.mil/About-Us/Units/23rd-Wing/23d-Mission-Support-Group/23d-Communications-Squadron/">23rd Communications Squadron, Moody Air Force Base, Georgia</a><br>Jan 08 - May 08, <a href="https://www.hoa.africom.mil/">Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa</a></p><p>Sep 09 - APR 10, <a href="https://afghanwarnews.info/COIN/COIN-Training-Center-Afghanistan.html">NATO ISAF, Counter insurgency Training Center, Camp Julian, Afghanistan</a></p><p>May 15 - <a href="https://www.1af.acc.af.mil/Units/601st-AOC-101st-AOG/">101st Air Communications Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/SavannahCTC">Savannah Expeditionary Cyber Training Center, Savannah Air National Guard Base, Savannah Georgia</a></p><p>2019 <a href="https://www.165aw.ang.af.mil/Units/224th-JCSS/">224th Joint Communications Support Squadron, Brunswick Air National Guard Base, Brunswick Georgia</a></p><h2><strong>MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS</strong></h2><p>Army Commendation Medal<br>Joint Service Achievement Medal<br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421869/air-and-space-achievement-medal/">Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421866/joint-meritorious-unit-award/">Joint Meritorious Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421933/meritorious-unit-award/">Meritorious Unit Award</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421951/air-and-space-outstanding-unit-award/">Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421952/air-force-good-conduct-medal/">Air Force Good Conduct Medal with one oak leaf cluster</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421946/air-reserve-forces-meritorious-service-medal/">Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421890/national-defense-service-medal/">National Defense Service Medal</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421949/afghanistan-campaign-medal/">Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421911/global-war-on-terrorism-expeditionary-medal/">Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal with bronze star</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421912/global-war-on-terrorism-service-medal/">Global War on Terrorism Service Medal</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421883/humanitarian-service-medal/">Humanitarian Service Medal</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421889/military-outstanding-volunteer-service-medal/">Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421941/air-and-space-expeditionary-service-ribbon/">Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and two oak leaf clusters</a><br><a href="https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421908/usaf-nco-pme-graduate-ribbon/">USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon</a><br>Florida Commendation Medal</p><h2><strong>OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS</strong></h2><p>2006- Holloman Base Honor Guard Member of the Quarter<br>2007- Moody Air Force Base Honor Guard Member of the Quarter<br>2019- Air &amp; Space Forces Association Medal of Merit<br>2020- Air &amp; Space Forces Association Medal of Merit<br>2025- American Legion Medal of Merit</p><h2><strong>PUBLICATIONS | MEDIA</strong></h2><p><em>8 April 2025 House Budget Committee - The Florida Channel</em>. (n.d.). The Florida Channel. <a href="https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/4-8-25-house-budget-committee/">https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/4-8-25-house-budget-committee/</a></p><p>Garcia, J. &#8220;A National Insurance Company Wrote a New Florida Law.&#8221; Jason Garcia&#8217;s Substack, 18 Apr. 2024, <a href="http://jasongarcia.substack.com/p/a-national-insurance-company-wrote">jasongarcia.substack.com/p/a-national-insurance-company-wrote</a></p><p>The Florida Channel. &#8220;House Civil Justice Subcommittee.&#8221; The Florida Channel, 1 Feb. 2024, <a href="http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/2-1-24-house-civil-justice-subcommittee/">thefloridachannel.org/videos/2-1-24-house-civil-justice-subcommittee/</a></p><p>&#8220;AFA Emerging Leaders.&#8221; Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine, 23 Apr. 2021, <a href="http://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/afa-emerging-leaders-3/">www.airandspaceforces.com/article/afa-emerging-leaders-3/</a></p><p>&#8220;After the Storm: How AFA&#8217;s Tyndall Chapter Helped Airmen Recover.&#8221; Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine, 18 Apr. 2019, <a href="http://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/after-the-storm-how-afas-tyndall-chapter-helped-airmen-recover/">www.airandspaceforces.com/article/after-the-storm-how-afas-tyndall-chapter-helped-airmen-recover/</a></p><p>&#8220;Wingman: Rosie the Riveter.&#8221; Air &amp; Space Forces Magazine, 28 June 2018, <a href="http://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/Wingman-Rosie-the-Riveter/">www.airandspaceforces.com/article/Wingman-Rosie-the-Riveter/</a></p><p>&#8220;Airpower Starts with You.&#8221; Tyndall Air Force Base, 17 Nov. 2017, <a href="http://www.tyndall.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1375914/airpower-starts-with-you/">www.tyndall.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1375914/airpower-starts-with-you/</a></p><p>&#8220;Why I Became a Life Member of The American Legion.&#8221; Legiontown, 5 July 2017, <a href="http://www.legiontown.org/post911veteransupport/4337/why-i-became-life-member-american-legion">www.legiontown.org/post911veteransupport/4337/why-i-became-life-member-american-legion</a></p><p>&#8220;Tallahassee Honors Lives Lost at 2025 Memorial Day Ceremonies.&#8221; *Tallahassee Democrat*, 23 May 2025, <a href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/things-to-do/2025/05/23/tallahassee-honors-lives-lost-at-2025-memorial-day-ceremonies/83773526007/">www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/things-to-do/2025/05/23/tallahassee-honors-lives-lost-at-2025-memorial-day-ceremonies/83773526007/</a></p><p>Otero, A. (2023, November 9). &#8216;Service and sacrifice&#8217;: Air Force memorial dedicated at Tallahassee National Cemetery. *Tallahassee Democrat*. <a href="https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2023/11/09/new-air-force-memorial-rises-at-tallahassee-national-cemetery/71487989007/">https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2023/11/09/new-air-force-memorial-rises-at-tallahassee-national-cemetery/71487989007/</a></p><h2>PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS</h2><p><a href="https://www.afa.org/">Air &amp; Space Forces Association</a><br><a href="https://www.legion.org/">American Legion</a><br><a href="https://www.amvets.org/">AMVETS</a><br><a href="https://www.commanderscoalition.org/">Commanders Coalition</a><br><a href="https://www.dav.org/">Disabled American Veterans</a><br><a href="https://iava.org/">Iraq &amp; Afghanistan Veterans of America</a><br><a href="https://www.legion.org/about/american-legion-family/sons-of-the-american-legion">Sons of the American Legion</a><br><a href="https://suvcw.org/">Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War</a><br><a href="https://vfw.org/">Veterans of Foreign Wars</a></p><p>(Current as of March 2026)</p><div><hr></div><h2>This post was brought to you by Cape Wireless&#8212;&#8212;Truly Private Wireless Service</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://www.massaddress.news/p/introducing-capeprivacy-first-mobile" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png" width="1117" height="229" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:229,&quot;width&quot;:1117,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:116831,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.massaddress.news/p/introducing-capeprivacy-first-mobile&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" title="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Use discount code &#8220;<strong>C8GWVXZY</strong>&#8221; save $10/mo off your bill.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Nova: Space Armada Strategy Guide: Boost Power Fast & Get the Most from Every Dollar!]]></title><description><![CDATA[&#128640;]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/nova-space-armada-strategy-guide</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/nova-space-armada-strategy-guide</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:49:24 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png" width="1456" height="607" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/7297c9b7-169e-4928-b7c5-3e9e8b8e9dfd_2532x1055.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:607,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:1142178,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A dark, futuristic title screen showing the text &#8220;NOVA SPACE ARMADA&#8221; on the left, with a glowing blue schematic-like image of a circular space station on the right and small version text &#8220;1.3.70/1.3.70/3&#8221; in the top-right corner.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F7297c9b7-169e-4928-b7c5-3e9e8b8e9dfd_2532x1055.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A dark, futuristic title screen showing the text &#8220;NOVA SPACE ARMADA&#8221; on the left, with a glowing blue schematic-like image of a circular space station on the right and small version text &#8220;1.3.70/1.3.70/3&#8221; in the top-right corner." title="A dark, futuristic title screen showing the text &#8220;NOVA SPACE ARMADA&#8221; on the left, with a glowing blue schematic-like image of a circular space station on the right and small version text &#8220;1.3.70/1.3.70/3&#8221; in the top-right corner." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!K-is!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F0116a148-a406-4590-809e-0c0c0ab1ffc4_2532x1055.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><strong>Introduction to Nova: Space Armada</strong></p><p>Nova: Space Armada (also known as Nova: Iron Galaxy in some regions) is a sci-fi strategy game where you command a space station, build and customize fleets, engage in PVE and PVP battles, and conquer the galaxy. As a new player, your goal is to rapidly grow your power (measured by development points, fleet strength, and station level) while efficiently managing resources and any real-money spending. This guide focuses on high-impact investments&#8212;in-game resources, time, and dollars&#8212;to maximize power growth without wasteful spending. Prioritize sustainable progress as a free-to-play (F2P) player, with tips for low-spend or pay-to-progress (P2P) approaches.</p><p><strong>Early Game Priorities (Levels 1-10)</strong></p><p>Start by completing the tutorial and story quests to hit commander level 10 and upgrade your space station to level 10. This removes building level restrictions and unlocks core features like talents and additional fleets.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Quests and Missions</strong>: Focus on story quests for quick XP and resources. Do daily and weekly missions (under your avatar) for rewards&#8212;aim for 30 scavenger kills daily to stack items early. Weekly missions have reward tiers at 250, 500, and 1,100 points.</p></li><li><p><strong>Daily Activities</strong>: Participate in Space Mobilization (daily objectives vary by day, e.g., Orders on Mon/Fri). Save resources like Black Market Tokens for event-aligned days (e.g., pulls on Saturdays for bonus rewards). Complete Faction Quests (System &gt; More &gt; Faction) to raise reputation and access shops with discounts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Exploration</strong>: Unlock Deep Space at level 10 for PVE farming (use Quick Complete for efficiency). At level 13, start Planetary Exploration on the Galaxy Map&#8212;send your best fleet for high rewards like components and buffs.</p></li><li><p><strong>Investment Tip</strong>: Spend time on these free dailies first; they yield alloys, crystals, RC (resource credits), and GEC (premium currency) without cost. Avoid rushing upgrades until you have a surplus&#8212;early mistakes waste resources.</p></li></ul><p>This phase builds a foundation: Aim for 1-2 hours daily to hit level 10 in a few days, boosting power by unlocking fleets and research.</p><p><strong>Resource Management</strong></p><p>Resources are your core &#8220;investments&#8221;&#8212;farm them efficiently to avoid bottlenecks.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Key Resources</strong>: Alloys and crystals (for buildings/research), RC (for shops and events), GEC (premium, for Black Market pulls), and components/hulls (for ships).</p></li><li><p><strong>Acquisition Strategies</strong>:</p><ul><li><p>Farm from missions, scavenger kills, wreckages, and plundering (low-risk on NPCs).</p></li><li><p>Daily gifts in Pack Store (e.g., Nova Plus rewards, Admiral packs).</p></li><li><p>Deep Space and Planetary Exploration for tokens and upgrades.</p></li><li><p>Increase RC income as F2P by up to 82% via optimized Orders, Faction Missions, and Stealth Scavengers (focus talents on RC boosts).</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Efficiency Tip</strong>: Save GEC for smart Black Market pulls&#8212;avoid basic nameplates at 300 GEC; buy discounted ones in the Fraction Exchange Shop (Cruiser for 105 GEC, Destroyer for 54 GEC). Use boosts (e.g., research speed) only during events for extra rewards.</p></li></ul><p>Prioritize RC and GEC early, as they gate high-power items like elite components.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png" width="1456" height="673" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/3a4b33d5-c9f9-49bb-a8a6-2ab21d495304_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:673,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:635440,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game home screen showing a large circular space station in orbit with a planet in the background. The interface displays the player &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF&#8221; (Lv.2) with a portrait and power 20,620, a button to &#8220;Edit Fleets,&#8221; and top resource counters. Menu icons include &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; with navigation buttons for &#8220;System,&#8221; &#8220;Star System,&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy,&#8221; plus chat text along the bottom.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F3a4b33d5-c9f9-49bb-a8a6-2ab21d495304_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game home screen showing a large circular space station in orbit with a planet in the background. The interface displays the player &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF&#8221; (Lv.2) with a portrait and power 20,620, a button to &#8220;Edit Fleets,&#8221; and top resource counters. Menu icons include &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; with navigation buttons for &#8220;System,&#8221; &#8220;Star System,&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy,&#8221; plus chat text along the bottom." title="A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game home screen showing a large circular space station in orbit with a planet in the background. The interface displays the player &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF&#8221; (Lv.2) with a portrait and power 20,620, a button to &#8220;Edit Fleets,&#8221; and top resource counters. Menu icons include &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; with navigation buttons for &#8220;System,&#8221; &#8220;Star System,&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy,&#8221; plus chat text along the bottom." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Tlq8!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F286c5786-1bc4-4868-b18b-bf16c9326abf_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Your station is the hub for power growth&#8212;invest resources here for exponential returns.</figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>Building and Upgrading Your Station</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Upgrade Order</strong>: Start with Space Station, Factory (for components), Research Lab (unlock fleets/tech), Defense Terminal, Radar Station, Ship Center, Ore Storage, and Smelter. Max all buildings to your commander level.</p></li><li><p><strong>Research Priorities</strong>: In the Research Lab, focus on Mechanical Engineering System first (saves resources on upgrades). Unlock Second/Third Fleets early. Upgrade techs evenly, prioritizing short-timer ones for quick points. Use &#8220;Persistent Scholars&#8221; and &#8220;Quantum Computer&#8221; for faster/cheaper research.</p></li><li><p><strong>Talents (Unlock at Level 10)</strong>: Reset freely early on. For normal/F2P players: 32231 12232 (emphasize resource generation like Subspace Speed for faster farming). For P2P/whales: (2 or 3)2231 12222 (boost Order capacity/RC for combat focus).</p></li><li><p><strong>Investment Tip</strong>: Use free Research Speed Increases (25% buffs) from events. Avoid over-investing in low-level buildings&#8212;focus on fleet-enabling ones to hit power spikes faster.</p></li></ul><p>These upgrades directly boost development points; aim to max them per level for leaderboard climbs.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png" width="1456" height="673" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/af50249a-fdc3-40da-89af-248019a0a09c_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:673,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:570655,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game screen showing multiple large metallic warships docked inside a futuristic space station hangar. On the right, a &#8220;Regular Fleets&#8221; panel displays &#8220;Fleet Details&#8221; with Strength 13204, Leadership Cap 177/900, ship type icons (FF 4, DD 1, others 0), and a &#8220;View ships&#8221; button; the bottom bar shows &#8220;Fleet 1&#8221; with a female avatar and several locked fleet slots.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faf50249a-fdc3-40da-89af-248019a0a09c_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game screen showing multiple large metallic warships docked inside a futuristic space station hangar. On the right, a &#8220;Regular Fleets&#8221; panel displays &#8220;Fleet Details&#8221; with Strength 13204, Leadership Cap 177/900, ship type icons (FF 4, DD 1, others 0), and a &#8220;View ships&#8221; button; the bottom bar shows &#8220;Fleet 1&#8221; with a female avatar and several locked fleet slots." title="A sci&#8209;fi space strategy game screen showing multiple large metallic warships docked inside a futuristic space station hangar. On the right, a &#8220;Regular Fleets&#8221; panel displays &#8220;Fleet Details&#8221; with Strength 13204, Leadership Cap 177/900, ship type icons (FF 4, DD 1, others 0), and a &#8220;View ships&#8221; button; the bottom bar shows &#8220;Fleet 1&#8221; with a female avatar and several locked fleet slots." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!yFpx!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F068af999-4896-4d08-aea3-e3cc06145806_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Fleets are your power core</figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>Fleet Building and Optimization</strong></p><p>Fleets are your power core&#8212;invest in balanced, synergistic builds to punch above your weight.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Admiral Selection</strong>: Start with Elena (great for farming NPCs with 15% shield penetration). Level admirals to 15 for formation bonuses. Choose high-Leadership admirals to command more ships.</p></li><li><p><strong>Ship Assembly Steps</strong>:</p><ol><li><p>Acquire hulls (from missions, Black Market).</p></li><li><p>Construct components in factories (unlock more as you level; build constantly, even extras).</p></li><li><p>Assemble: Use unused hulls + components. Edit freely to swap setups.</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>Early Ships to Build</strong>:</p><ol><li><p>Frigates: Byagoona FF (tank, front row), Ctogga FF (laser DPS, back row), Puck FF (accuracy boost, day 2 login).</p></li><li><p>Destroyers: Dogoda DD (damage reduction, front), Chthoninans DD (tank/DPS), Argo DD (F2P-friendly DPS), Pyxis DD (versatile tank).</p></li><li><p>Balance: Mix offense (Cruisers/Battleships), defense (Frigates), and utility.</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>Components and Upgrades</strong>:</p><ol><li><p>Prioritize r65 blue equipment (upgrade to lv20 with Fluid Layers). Use r80 purple as placeholders, then destroy for materials.</p></li><li><p>Weapons: Kinetic for accuracy ships (e.g., Puck), missiles for bonus ships (e.g., Posvist CL), lasers for general DPS (e.g., Argo). Focus on beam damage early.</p></li><li><p>Armor: Shields for most; accuracy units on DPS ships. Best engine available; reactors if energy-short.</p></li><li><p>Rarities: Farm/construct rare+ (epic/legendary for endgame). Upgrade only high-rarity; destroy low ones for mats.</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>Optimization Tips</strong>:</p><ol><li><p>Group by ship type (e.g., 3 DDs for 78% damage buffs from synergies like Kthaw&#8217;keth Cruiser).</p></li><li><p>Group by damage type (e.g., laser fleet with Argo/Yz + Undead-Zeus flagship).</p></li><li><p>Equip best weapons on DPS ships, not tanks. Use standard gear for secondary fleets; pool resources into main fleet.</p></li></ol></li><li><p><strong>Investment Tip</strong>: Farm components via events/exploration (free). Spend GEC on Black Market for limited ships (e.g., Yz/Athena over basic Undead-Zeus). Avoid upgrading uncommon components&#8212;save materials for legendaries.</p></li></ul><p>A well-optimized fleet can beat stronger opponents with half health; focus here for 50%+ power gains.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png" width="1456" height="673" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8441c7ec-7d99-4690-a775-981ae1cc81af_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:673,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:326967,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi mobile game &#8220;Alliance&#8221; menu shows a list of alliances with icons, levels, strength, member counts, and &#8220;Join&#8221; status. The highlighted alliance is &#8220;7NX Novaxis&#8221; (Level 5, strength 13.6M, 64/70 members), with a right-side panel displaying its emblem, alliance info, leader &#8220;360safe,&#8221; a short message, and a large &#8220;Join&#8221; button; other listed alliances include &#8220;efgeg,&#8221; &#8220;zjswmdkl,&#8221; &#8220;PhantomL&#8230;,&#8221; and &#8220;MASTER,&#8221; plus a &#8220;Create Alliance&#8221; option at the bottom.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8441c7ec-7d99-4690-a775-981ae1cc81af_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi mobile game &#8220;Alliance&#8221; menu shows a list of alliances with icons, levels, strength, member counts, and &#8220;Join&#8221; status. The highlighted alliance is &#8220;7NX Novaxis&#8221; (Level 5, strength 13.6M, 64/70 members), with a right-side panel displaying its emblem, alliance info, leader &#8220;360safe,&#8221; a short message, and a large &#8220;Join&#8221; button; other listed alliances include &#8220;efgeg,&#8221; &#8220;zjswmdkl,&#8221; &#8220;PhantomL&#8230;,&#8221; and &#8220;MASTER,&#8221; plus a &#8220;Create Alliance&#8221; option at the bottom." title="A sci&#8209;fi mobile game &#8220;Alliance&#8221; menu shows a list of alliances with icons, levels, strength, member counts, and &#8220;Join&#8221; status. The highlighted alliance is &#8220;7NX Novaxis&#8221; (Level 5, strength 13.6M, 64/70 members), with a right-side panel displaying its emblem, alliance info, leader &#8220;360safe,&#8221; a short message, and a large &#8220;Join&#8221; button; other listed alliances include &#8220;efgeg,&#8221; &#8220;zjswmdkl,&#8221; &#8220;PhantomL&#8230;,&#8221; and &#8220;MASTER,&#8221; plus a &#8220;Create Alliance&#8221; option at the bottom." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!5ksT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8eae4246-22ad-4299-bd17-321f246bc460_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Join an active alliance immediately after tutorial for massive power boosts.</figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>Alliances and Social Features</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>Benefits</strong>: Access Alliance Missions (daily/weekly for credits), Member Quests (up to 5 players for better rewards), and shared Warfare Boxes from purchases.</p></li><li><p><strong>Investment Tip</strong>: Spend Alliance Credits in the shop on upgrades. Contribute to quests for free resources&#8212;low time investment, high return.</p></li></ul><p>Alliances multiply your progress; pick one with daily activity.</p><p><strong>In-Game Investments for Max Power</strong></p><ul><li><p><strong>GEC Spending</strong>: Black Market pulls during events; Fraction Shop discounts. Avoid full-price basics.</p></li><li><p><strong>RC Focus</strong>: Upgrade to boost via talents/Orders. Spend on CosmoTycoon/Republic shops for weapons like &#8220;xxx Array&#8221; (23k RC, whale-friendly).</p></li><li><p><strong>Time Investments</strong>: Dailies, explorations, and events yield 80% of power growth as F2P.</p></li><li><p><strong>F2P Max</strong>: Optimize for 82% RC income via stealth farming and talent trees.</p></li></ul><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png" width="1456" height="673" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/dc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/9bf6b9c2-19ba-4a79-a8e8-5e5f9caf5e76_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:673,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:548495,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A mobile game in-game store screen showing the &#8220;Valuable&#8221; category with tabs on the left (Daily, Admiral Pack, Privileged, Weekly Limit, SCC). Three featured offers are displayed: &#8220;Newcomer&#8217;s Offer&#8221; (Premium Newcomer&#8217;s Offer with price 1050, marked NEW), &#8220;Military Boost Pack&#8221; (With Enhance Material Pack, price 1100, marked NEW), and &#8220;Galaxy of Light Crate&#8221; (With Black Market Search Pack, price 6000, marked HOT), each with item icons and dollar prices ($4.99, $9.99, $49.99). Currency counters appear at the top right.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F9bf6b9c2-19ba-4a79-a8e8-5e5f9caf5e76_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A mobile game in-game store screen showing the &#8220;Valuable&#8221; category with tabs on the left (Daily, Admiral Pack, Privileged, Weekly Limit, SCC). Three featured offers are displayed: &#8220;Newcomer&#8217;s Offer&#8221; (Premium Newcomer&#8217;s Offer with price 1050, marked NEW), &#8220;Military Boost Pack&#8221; (With Enhance Material Pack, price 1100, marked NEW), and &#8220;Galaxy of Light Crate&#8221; (With Black Market Search Pack, price 6000, marked HOT), each with item icons and dollar prices ($4.99, $9.99, $49.99). Currency counters appear at the top right." title="A mobile game in-game store screen showing the &#8220;Valuable&#8221; category with tabs on the left (Daily, Admiral Pack, Privileged, Weekly Limit, SCC). Three featured offers are displayed: &#8220;Newcomer&#8217;s Offer&#8221; (Premium Newcomer&#8217;s Offer with price 1050, marked NEW), &#8220;Military Boost Pack&#8221; (With Enhance Material Pack, price 1100, marked NEW), and &#8220;Galaxy of Light Crate&#8221; (With Black Market Search Pack, price 6000, marked HOT), each with item icons and dollar prices ($4.99, $9.99, $49.99). Currency counters appear at the top right." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!X-F_!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fdc4cc10c-2777-4480-aad4-6a354654f0dd_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Starter packs offer the best dollar-to-power ratio</figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>Real Money Spending: Maximizing Dollars Spent</strong></p><p>The game is F2P-viable but P2P accelerates growth. Focus on value packs for 5-10x returns in power per dollar.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Best Starter Investments</strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Starter/Bonus Packs ($4.99-$9.99)</strong>: Great entry value with GEC, resources, and hulls/components. Buy early for instant fleet boosts.</p></li><li><p><strong>Iron Pass/Monthly Subscriptions</strong>: If available (e.g., Nova Plus), these provide daily rewards like GEC and speed-ups&#8212;best for sustained growth ($5-10/month).</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Higher-Value Packs</strong>:</p><ul><li><p><strong>Limited Packs ($5.99-$79.99)</strong>: Include SCC (premium currency) that benefits your alliance with boxes. Prioritize ones with components/admiral upgrades for power spikes.</p></li><li><p><strong>SCC Packs</strong>: Buy in tiers (e.g., second tier 4,000 GEC, third 999 SCC). Gift to allies for reciprocal bonuses.</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Whale Strategy</strong>: Focus on fleet-boosting packs (e.g., for Order capacity). Avoid over-spending on cosmetics&#8212;aim for $20-50 initially for 200% power jump.</p></li><li><p><strong>Efficiency Tip</strong>: Only buy during events for bonuses. Starter packs offer the best dollar-to-power ratio; avoid random bundles unless they include rare hulls.</p></li></ul><p>As a new player, $10-20 can double your early power; beyond that, diminishing returns unless whaling.</p><p><strong>Advanced Tips</strong></p><ul><li><p>Always group buffs (ship type/damage type) for meta fleets.</p></li><li><p>Save for events like Navigator/Matrix for GEC efficiency.</p></li><li><p>Attack NPCs multiple times daily for XP; use repairs wisely.</p></li><li><p>Experiment with formations&#8212;test in PVE before PVP.</p></li></ul><p>Follow this guide to reach mid-game (level 20+) in 1-2 weeks with optimized power. Adapt based on your playstyle, and check in-game updates for meta shifts. Good luck conquering the galaxy!</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png" width="1456" height="673" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/aeed07f3-e417-4f8d-9709-60e901873eb6_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:673,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:414602,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A sci&#8209;fi strategy game interface showing a star system map centered on a glowing yellow star labeled &#8220;Cyhus,&#8221; with multiple orbiting planets and nodes marked &#8220;Explorable&#8221; and &#8220;Lean Ore,&#8221; including &#8220;Cyhus II,&#8221; &#8220;Cyhus III,&#8221; and &#8220;Cyhus V.&#8221; The screen displays menu icons and event banners such as &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; along with player info &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF Lv.2,&#8221; resource counters, a system chat ticker, and navigation buttons for &#8220;Space Station&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy.&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188457513?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Faeed07f3-e417-4f8d-9709-60e901873eb6_2532x1170.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A sci&#8209;fi strategy game interface showing a star system map centered on a glowing yellow star labeled &#8220;Cyhus,&#8221; with multiple orbiting planets and nodes marked &#8220;Explorable&#8221; and &#8220;Lean Ore,&#8221; including &#8220;Cyhus II,&#8221; &#8220;Cyhus III,&#8221; and &#8220;Cyhus V.&#8221; The screen displays menu icons and event banners such as &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; along with player info &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF Lv.2,&#8221; resource counters, a system chat ticker, and navigation buttons for &#8220;Space Station&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy.&#8221;" title="A sci&#8209;fi strategy game interface showing a star system map centered on a glowing yellow star labeled &#8220;Cyhus,&#8221; with multiple orbiting planets and nodes marked &#8220;Explorable&#8221; and &#8220;Lean Ore,&#8221; including &#8220;Cyhus II,&#8221; &#8220;Cyhus III,&#8221; and &#8220;Cyhus V.&#8221; The screen displays menu icons and event banners such as &#8220;Charon Spaceway,&#8221; &#8220;Novice Festa,&#8221; &#8220;7&#8209;Day Log&#8209;in,&#8221; &#8220;Republic IronPass,&#8221; &#8220;Pack,&#8221; and &#8220;First Pay,&#8221; along with player info &#8220;SSgtHoodUSAF Lv.2,&#8221; resource counters, a system chat ticker, and navigation buttons for &#8220;Space Station&#8221; and &#8220;Galaxy.&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!_ej5!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4bb74afa-add8-493e-8477-3d047b23ec9a_2532x1170.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><div><hr></div><h2>This post was brought to you by Cape Wireless&#8212;&#8212;Truly Private Wireless Service</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://www.cape.co" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png" width="1117" height="229" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:229,&quot;width&quot;:1117,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:116831,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.cape.co&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" title="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Use discount code &#8220;<strong>C8GWVXZY</strong>&#8221; save $10/mo off your bill.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Book Review: They Called Us "Lucky": The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War's Hardest Hit Unit]]></title><description><![CDATA[They Called Us "Lucky" by Ruben Gallego and Jim DeFelice is a raw, unflinching memoir that chronicles the harrowing experiences of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, during their 2005 deployment in Iraq.]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/book-review-they-called-us-lucky</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/book-review-they-called-us-lucky</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:20:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg" width="354" height="534.7432024169184" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1500,&quot;width&quot;:993,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:354,&quot;bytes&quot;:190920,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A book cover titled &#8220;They Called Us &#8216;Lucky&#8217;&#8221; with the subtitle &#8220;The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War&#8217;s Hardest Hit Unit,&#8221; showing U.S. military armored vehicles driving through a dusty desert. The authors&#8217; names, Ruben Gallego and &#8220;with Jim DeFelice,&#8221; appear at the bottom over a faint U.S. Marine Corps emblem. &quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188452062?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A book cover titled &#8220;They Called Us &#8216;Lucky&#8217;&#8221; with the subtitle &#8220;The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War&#8217;s Hardest Hit Unit,&#8221; showing U.S. military armored vehicles driving through a dusty desert. The authors&#8217; names, Ruben Gallego and &#8220;with Jim DeFelice,&#8221; appear at the bottom over a faint U.S. Marine Corps emblem. " title="A book cover titled &#8220;They Called Us &#8216;Lucky&#8217;&#8221; with the subtitle &#8220;The Life and Afterlife of the Iraq War&#8217;s Hardest Hit Unit,&#8221; showing U.S. military armored vehicles driving through a dusty desert. The authors&#8217; names, Ruben Gallego and &#8220;with Jim DeFelice,&#8221; appear at the bottom over a faint U.S. Marine Corps emblem. " srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!hHrt!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8520b7e3-2b0f-421d-84e4-b229f0ef173a_993x1500.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">They Called us Lucky Book Cover</figcaption></figure></div><p><em>They Called Us "Lucky"</em> by Ruben Gallego and Jim DeFelice is a raw, unflinching memoir that chronicles the harrowing experiences of Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marines, during their 2005 deployment in Iraq. As one of the hardest-hit units of the Iraq War, Lima Company endured relentless combat, devastating losses, and the enduring psychological toll of war. Congressman Ruben Gallego, a former Marine and member of the unit, offers a deeply personal account, blending visceral battlefield narratives with reflections on the long-term impact of trauma, camaraderie, and survival. Co-authored with Jim DeFelice, the book is both a tribute to the fallen and a meditation on the resilience of those who carry the weight of their service.</p><p>The narrative begins in the chaotic streets of Iraq, where Lima Company faced near-daily insurgent attacks, roadside bombs, and ambushes. Gallego vividly captures the intensity of combat, from the adrenaline-fueled moments of clearing houses to the gut-wrenching loss of comrades. The book&#8217;s title, derived from the unit&#8217;s ironic nickname, underscores the paradox of surviving when so many did not&#8212;41 members of the battalion were killed, and over 300 wounded. Gallego&#8217;s prose is direct and unembellished, reflecting the no-nonsense ethos of the Marines, while DeFelice&#8217;s storytelling expertise ensures a cohesive and engaging structure.</p><p>What sets this memoir apart is its unflinching exploration of the &#8220;afterlife&#8221; of war. Gallego delves into the struggles of reintegration, grappling with PTSD, survivor&#8217;s guilt, and the challenge of finding purpose in civilian life. His journey from Marine to congressman is not framed as a triumphant arc but as a complex, ongoing process of healing and advocacy. The book also highlights the bonds forged in combat, portraying Lima Company&#8217;s survivors as a family bound by shared sacrifice. Gallego&#8217;s reflections on leadership, duty, and the cost of war resonate deeply, offering insights that transcend the battlefield.</p><p>As a veteran of the U.S. Air Force with 12 years of service, I found <em>They Called Us &#8220;Lucky&#8221;</em> profoundly relatable, despite the differences between my experience and Gallego&#8217;s. Like Gallego, I deployed multiple times in support of operations in conflict zones, including Afghanistan, where the constant threat of danger&#8212;whether from rocket attacks or the psychological strain of prolonged missions&#8212;shaped daily life. The book&#8217;s depiction of camaraderie mirrored my own memories of relying on my wingmen for support, whether serving on a Personal Security Detachment (PSD) team in Afghanistan or sharing moments of levity to cope with stress. Gallego&#8217;s account of losing comrades hit particularly close to home; I recall the somber weight of hundreds of funerals I attended while serving on the Honor Guard, where the stark reality of our own mortality leaves a lasting impression even long after one leaves military service.</p><p>My military biography highlights my role in IT and communications, ensuring mission-critical systems functioned in high-stakes environments. This technical focus differed from Lima Company&#8217;s ground combat, yet the underlying sense of duty and teamwork was strikingly similar. Gallego&#8217;s emphasis on the toll of war also resonated with my post-service transition. Navigating civilian life, from pursuing a federal GS job to engaging in community leadership with the American Legion, required reconciling my military identity with new roles&#8212;much like Gallego&#8217;s shift to public service. His candid discussion of PTSD and mental health challenges echoed conversations I&#8217;ve had with fellow veterans, underscoring the universal struggle to process wartime experiences.</p><p><em>They Called Us "Lucky"</em> excels in its authenticity and emotional depth, though it occasionally leans heavily on military jargon, which may challenge civilian readers. Additionally, while Gallego&#8217;s personal story is compelling, some readers might wish for deeper exploration of his political journey to provide context for his advocacy. Nevertheless, the book is a powerful testament to the human cost of war and the strength required to rebuild afterward.</p><p>For veterans, this memoir is a mirror reflecting the pride, pain, and perseverance of service. The audiobook is read by Ruben himself and he does infact get emotional. You can feel the emotion through his voice.  I was left in tears multiple times when I listened to the audiobook. For civilians, it&#8217;s an essential window into the realities of combat and its lasting echoes. Gallego and DeFelice have crafted a work that honors Lima Company&#8217;s legacy while challenging readers to confront the true cost of war. As an Air Force veteran, I recommend <em>They Called Us "Lucky"</em> not only for its gripping narrative but for its unflinching honesty about the sacrifices that define military life.</p><p>Click here to check out <a href="https://amzn.to/43fOvdh">They Called Us "Lucky"</a></p><p><em>White Beret Squadron is my new book club, where I share my favorite reads. Feel free to subscribe to get updates whenever I post a review!</em></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Bomber Mafia-- Malcolm Gladwell]]></title><description><![CDATA[&#128293;&#128293;&#128293;&#9992;&#65039;]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/the-bomber-mafia-malcolm-gladwell</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/the-bomber-mafia-malcolm-gladwell</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:19:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png" width="486" height="486" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/8dd7c571-87c6-4cfd-a274-cb3427eafaa8_1500x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1456,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:486,&quot;bytes&quot;:296801,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A book cover with a deep-blue ocean background shows a white military bomber plane viewed from above, with a faint shadow of another plane in the water. Large orange text reads &#8220;THE BOMBER MAFIA&#8221; and &#8220;MALCOLM GLADWELL,&#8221; and &#8220;PUSHKIN&#8221; appears vertically along the right edge.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188451623?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F8dd7c571-87c6-4cfd-a274-cb3427eafaa8_1500x1500.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A book cover with a deep-blue ocean background shows a white military bomber plane viewed from above, with a faint shadow of another plane in the water. Large orange text reads &#8220;THE BOMBER MAFIA&#8221; and &#8220;MALCOLM GLADWELL,&#8221; and &#8220;PUSHKIN&#8221; appears vertically along the right edge." title="A book cover with a deep-blue ocean background shows a white military bomber plane viewed from above, with a faint shadow of another plane in the water. Large orange text reads &#8220;THE BOMBER MAFIA&#8221; and &#8220;MALCOLM GLADWELL,&#8221; and &#8220;PUSHKIN&#8221; appears vertically along the right edge." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!GCTj!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F728977b8-7c98-4c3f-aa30-2b15f379f83d_1500x1500.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell</figcaption></figure></div><p>To kick things off for the White Beret Squadron, I have to start with <em>The Bomber Mafia</em>. Here's the story behind why I picked up this audiobook. My job requires a lot of highway travel as I service many clients in North Florida. I typically drive<strong> </strong>tens<strong> </strong>of thousands of miles a year. One day, my wife told me the local public library offers free audiobooks. So, I downloaded the app and came across this audiobook. Once I saw the book included history about General Curtis LeMay, that was all I needed to push play. Being an Air Force veteran, I&#8217;ve always admired General LeMay, my favorite general from World War II. He was old-school and believed in scorched-earth tactics when fighting our nation's enemies. His mentality paid off because we won the war.  I don&#8217;t typically like audiobooks&#8212;they put me to sleep. However, Malcolm Gladwell&#8217;s narration is riveting. He really puts you in the war; you can almost smell the napalm and feel the heat from the bombs. This audiobook is so great that I literally felt guilty for listening to it for free and went out and purchased the actual hardcover book. I know that sounds crazy, but it actually happened. I wanted the author to know he did an excellent job without having to go and write a letter to the man. Besides, my time is hella valuable, and the almighty dollar speaks louder than a letter from a stranger.  For those of you who are looking for a great read on World War II Air Force history, please consider listening to this audiobook. <strong>It really is worth your time.</strong></p><p>Click here to check out <a href="https://amzn.to/42yoVRJ">The Bomber Mafia</a></p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg" width="850" height="400" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:400,&quot;width&quot;:850,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:49555,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A quote graphic featuring a portrait of U.S. Air Force General Curtis LeMay in uniform on the left and the text &#8220;If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting.&#8221; attributed to &#8220;Curtis LeMay&#8221; on the right, with the AZ Quotes logo at the bottom. &quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188451623?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="A quote graphic featuring a portrait of U.S. Air Force General Curtis LeMay in uniform on the left and the text &#8220;If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting.&#8221; attributed to &#8220;Curtis LeMay&#8221; on the right, with the AZ Quotes logo at the bottom. " title="A quote graphic featuring a portrait of U.S. Air Force General Curtis LeMay in uniform on the left and the text &#8220;If you kill enough of them, they stop fighting.&#8221; attributed to &#8220;Curtis LeMay&#8221; on the right, with the AZ Quotes logo at the bottom. " srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!vPNq!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2562a750-fbd7-4ac1-999b-3710830f5a24_850x400.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a></figure></div><p><em>White Beret Squadron is my new book club, where I share my favorite reads. Feel free to subscribe to get updates whenever I post a review!</em></p><p class="button-wrapper" data-attrs="{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?&quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Subscribe now&quot;,&quot;action&quot;:null,&quot;class&quot;:null}" data-component-name="ButtonCreateButton"><a class="button primary" href="https://www.edwardhood.com/subscribe?"><span>Subscribe now</span></a></p><div><hr></div><h2>This post was brought to you by Cape Wireless&#8212;&#8212;Truly Private Wireless Service</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://www.cape.co" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png" width="1117" height="229" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:229,&quot;width&quot;:1117,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:116831,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.cape.co&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" title="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Use discount code &#8220;<strong>C8GWVXZY</strong>&#8221; save $10/mo off your bill.</p>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Why does Edward Hood wear a white beret? 🤔]]></title><description><![CDATA[Do you know which U.S.]]></description><link>https://www.edwardhood.com/p/why-does-edward-hood-wear-a-white</link><guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.edwardhood.com/p/why-does-edward-hood-wear-a-white</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Edward W. Hood]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 04:16:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!DQLh!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fd117c384-8a06-4eed-a347-d082ee971459_4082x5776.jpeg" length="0" type="image/jpeg"/><content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Do you know which U.S. military unit wears the distinctive white beret?</p><p>The answer is none.</p><p>To explain why I wear one, we need to go back 25 years to the year 2000. At that time, I was a cadet in the Madison County High School AFJROTC program (Unit FL-933). I served on the Color Guard and as Commander of the Model Rocketry team. On April 8, 2000, our Color Guard team dedicated a Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker in Madison County, Florida, at Four Freedoms Park.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/d117c384-8a06-4eed-a347-d082ee971459_4082x5776.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/14d88732-1e71-4b13-98e5-d94879f79258_4320x3240.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;C/SSgt Edward Hood and the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker in Madison FL.&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Portrait of a young Edward Hood in a dark military dress uniform with U.S. flags in the background and Blue Star Memorial Highway sign honoring the U.S. Armed Forces beneath a large moss-draped tree by a roadside.&quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/5d384432-3278-48ea-a669-04d7e29ef2a7_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><p>Just one week later, we carried the colors again in the Madison County Down Home Days Parade. The local newspaper snapped a photo of us&#8212;I was carrying the U.S. Air Force flag&#8212;and we were all wearing white berets.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg" width="271" height="357" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:357,&quot;width&quot;:271,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:20993,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;High school ROTC color guard marching in a parade, carrying multiple flags under the heading &#8220;Oh Say Can You See &#8230;&#8221;&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:true,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="High school ROTC color guard marching in a parade, carrying multiple flags under the heading &#8220;Oh Say Can You See &#8230;&#8221;" title="High school ROTC color guard marching in a parade, carrying multiple flags under the heading &#8220;Oh Say Can You See &#8230;&#8221;" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!BIfJ!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F273d258a-c4b3-41de-b1b5-6f7ad17eba61_271x357.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" fetchpriority="high"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">The Madison County High School Junior ROTC is in each and every Down Home Days parade. They are an excellent addition to the parade as the march through town carrying the many Flags of Glory. Photo by Emerald Kinsey, April 15 2000</figcaption></figure></div><p>Fast forward to 2020. I was a recently separated veteran, grappling with PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The military had been my entire heart and soul, and suddenly I felt like I&#8217;d lost my mission and my identity. As I started attending VA appointments, I noticed other veterans wearing ball caps with their old unit patches on the front. Oddly, I&#8217;d never really paid attention to those hats while I was still serving. Now I was one of them.</p><p>I looked for a hat that represented my unit&#8212;the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/224th_Joint_Communications_Support_Squadron">224th Joint Communications Support Squadron (JCSS)</a>, part of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Communications_Support_Element">Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE)</a>&#8212;but I couldn&#8217;t find a single one.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg" width="460" height="613.228021978022" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/c555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:1941,&quot;width&quot;:1456,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:460,&quot;bytes&quot;:3353078,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;SSgt Edward Hood smiling in his camouflage uniform holding his daughter indoors.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:false,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="SSgt Edward Hood smiling in his camouflage uniform holding his daughter indoors." title="SSgt Edward Hood smiling in his camouflage uniform holding his daughter indoors." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!lssT!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fc555a984-b965-4108-87c1-37ae02b8741a_2250x3000.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Staff Sergeant Edward W. Hood holding his daughter Elyana</figcaption></figure></div><p>I gave up on the veteran ball-cap idea. Honestly, it just wasn&#8217;t my style. I needed something different.</p><p>My Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) was 1D7X1W&#8212;Cyber Defense Operations, Expeditionary Communications. You won&#8217;t see that exact AFSC on my service record because the Air Force was in the middle of transitioning my old career field (RF Transmission Systems) into Cyber Defense Operations as I was separating. The titles changed, but the badge never did. That badge meant a lot to me&#8212;it took about five years of hard work to earn&#8212;and I&#8217;m incredibly proud to be part of that community.</p><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2 is-viewable-img" target="_blank" href="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg" width="720" height="519" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:519,&quot;width&quot;:720,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:45758,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Diagram titled &#8220;Cyberspace Badge&#8221; showing a winged globe with lightning bolts, mailed fist, and olive wreath, with labels explaining each symbol.&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:null,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://edwardhood.substack.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="Diagram titled &#8220;Cyberspace Badge&#8221; showing a winged globe with lightning bolts, mailed fist, and olive wreath, with labels explaining each symbol." title="Diagram titled &#8220;Cyberspace Badge&#8221; showing a winged globe with lightning bolts, mailed fist, and olive wreath, with labels explaining each symbol." srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!a_x2!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F4f499612-1bfc-463a-ac28-6b027f49c2cd_720x519.jpeg 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div class="image-link-expand"><div class="pencraft pc-display-flex pc-gap-8 pc-reset"><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container restack-image"><svg role="img" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 20 20" fill="none" stroke-width="1.5" stroke="var(--color-fg-primary)" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><g><title></title><path d="M2.53001 7.81595C3.49179 4.73911 6.43281 2.5 9.91173 2.5C13.1684 2.5 15.9537 4.46214 17.0852 7.23684L17.6179 8.67647M17.6179 8.67647L18.5002 4.26471M17.6179 8.67647L13.6473 6.91176M17.4995 12.1841C16.5378 15.2609 13.5967 17.5 10.1178 17.5C6.86118 17.5 4.07589 15.5379 2.94432 12.7632L2.41165 11.3235M2.41165 11.3235L1.5293 15.7353M2.41165 11.3235L6.38224 13.0882"></path></g></svg></button><button tabindex="0" type="button" class="pencraft pc-reset pencraft icon-container view-image"><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="20" height="20" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" class="lucide lucide-maximize2 lucide-maximize-2"><polyline points="15 3 21 3 21 9"></polyline><polyline points="9 21 3 21 3 15"></polyline><line x1="21" x2="14" y1="3" y2="10"></line><line x1="3" x2="10" y1="21" y2="14"></line></svg></button></div></div></div></a><figcaption class="image-caption">Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1D7X1W Cyber Defense Operations</figcaption></figure></div><p>Each element of the badge tells a story. I could write a whole book about the missions I supported around the world. Bottom line: if someone needed to communicate anytime, anywhere, they called my unit.</p><p>Back to the beret.</p><p>In the world of social media&#8212;especially when you&#8217;re producing videos&#8212;you need a consistent theme. A trademark. Something memorable that no one else is doing.</p><p><em>I chose the white beret.</em></p><p>A beret signals military affiliation, which fit because I&#8217;m a Veteran. I also knew no active U.S. military unit wears a white one. In my profession, ethical hackers are called &#8220;white hats,&#8221; and as a certified cybersecurity professional, that connection felt perfect. The white beret became my trademark.</p><p>It&#8217;s also practical camouflage. When I&#8217;m not wearing it, I&#8217;m basically invisible&#8212;people who don&#8217;t know me don&#8217;t recognize me in public. That&#8217;s how powerful a personal brand can be.</p><p>I&#8217;ve worn the white beret for years now, and it&#8217;s become part of who I am. I&#8217;ve stood in it in front of Delta Force operators, Green Berets, Rangers, and Air Force Special Operators. No one has ever accused me of stolen valor. Why? Because it doesn&#8217;t represent any unit&#8212;it represents me.</p><p>Thanks for reading.</p><div class="image-gallery-embed" data-attrs="{&quot;gallery&quot;:{&quot;images&quot;:[{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/fc2fb664-3a3c-4b37-8903-1689be57abe1_800x800.jpeg&quot;},{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/jpeg&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/efeb0ab8-9363-492a-bffb-a688dc3dbe8c_1280x1600.jpeg&quot;}],&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;So now you know the history and the reason why I wear the white beret. Thanks for reading.&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;A close-up portrait of Edward Hood smiling wearing his white beret with the 1D7X1W badge and a blue checkered button-up shirt, set against a plain gray background. The other picture is his official military portrait. &quot;,&quot;staticGalleryImage&quot;:{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/897b19ec-ee74-4fad-b775-4d812de78210_1456x720.png&quot;}},&quot;isEditorNode&quot;:true}"></div><div><hr></div><h2>This post was brought to you by Cape Wireless&#8212;&#8212;Truly Private Wireless Service</h2><div class="captioned-image-container"><figure><a class="image-link image2" target="_blank" href="https://www.cape.co" data-component-name="Image2ToDOM"><div class="image2-inset"><picture><source type="image/webp" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_webp,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw"><img src="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png" width="1117" height="229" data-attrs="{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;srcNoWatermark&quot;:null,&quot;fullscreen&quot;:null,&quot;imageSize&quot;:null,&quot;height&quot;:229,&quot;width&quot;:1117,&quot;resizeWidth&quot;:null,&quot;bytes&quot;:116831,&quot;alt&quot;:null,&quot;title&quot;:null,&quot;type&quot;:&quot;image/png&quot;,&quot;href&quot;:&quot;https://www.cape.co&quot;,&quot;belowTheFold&quot;:true,&quot;topImage&quot;:false,&quot;internalRedirect&quot;:&quot;https://www.edwardhood.com/i/188272430?img=https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png&quot;,&quot;isProcessing&quot;:false,&quot;align&quot;:null,&quot;offset&quot;:false}" class="sizing-normal" alt="" srcset="https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_424,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 424w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_848,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 848w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1272,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1272w, https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!Yo-T!,w_1456,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F54bd93d8-6309-412a-948f-97bec52a6486_1117x229.png 1456w" sizes="100vw" loading="lazy"></picture><div></div></div></a></figure></div><p>Use discount code &#8220;<strong>C8GWVXZY</strong>&#8221; save $10/mo off your bill.<br></p><p></p><p></p>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>