Why Subscribe?
I’m Dr. Crisanna Shackelford—Dr. Shack to those who know me. With over 32 years of service in the U.S. Navy and Department of Defense (DoD), I’ve built a career in strategic leadership, national security, intelligence, and defense policy. My experience operating at the highest levels of government has provided me with the opportunity to help shape defense policies and drive global security objectives.
A Legacy of Leadership and Service
I was proud to be one of the first women selected for the EP-3E Naval Reconnaissance platform, where I developed vital intelligence-gathering skills in high-risk environments around the globe. This operational experience, paired with leadership roles in defense and intelligence, enabled me to collaborate with key national security agencies, including the NSA, to address emerging global threats.
In addition to my operational roles, my background in nonlinear warfare and wargaming has provided me with a deep understanding of complex, unpredictable conflict dynamics. I’ve led and participated in wargames that simulate multi-domain operations and inform strategic decision-making. This expertise in nonlinear warfare has further honed my ability to navigate complex and evolving military challenges.
As I transitioned to senior roles within the Department of Defense, I focused on defense policy, intelligence, and emerging biological threats, including the rising concerns around mandated vaccines and their effect on military readiness. This unique intersection of expertise continues to inform and fuel my advocacy today.
Champion for National Security and Medical Freedom
After facing forced retirement due to my principled stance against the Department of Defense’s (DoD) COVID-19 policies, I redirected my focus to a critical and often overlooked issue—vaccine injuries within our military and veteran communities. In response, I founded Real Reactions, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for the healthcare, compensation, and recognition of military personnel and veterans harmed by mandated medical interventions. Our mission is clear: to demand accountability for vaccine injuries and to push for the systemic reforms urgently needed within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Through Real Reactions, I have led efforts to influence public policy, advocating for those who have given their all for our nation and are now suffering from the very medical interventions that were meant to protect them. My work is deeply rooted in the belief that military readiness and health are inseparable—both the physical and psychological well-being of our service members must be safeguarded. As we continue to confront these challenges, I am committed to ensuring that those who have served receive the care, recognition, and compensation they deserve.
Complex Systems, Strategic Advocacy, and Thought Leadership
On this platform, I aim to provoke thought and spark critical discussions on national security, defense readiness, and the complex interdependencies that shape these vital areas. My focus extends beyond military health to examine the broader implications for global stability and security. I am committed to breaking down silos, driving conversations on complex systems, and addressing the impact of health crises on national defense.
With a background in nonlinear warfare and complex adaptive systems, I bring a strategic perspective to understanding how crises evolve, disrupt systems, and how we can mitigate their impact. The interconnectedness of health and security is central to my work. It is crucial that we address the long-term effects of biologics on military personnel and their families, with no time to lose.
As a staunch advocate for medical freedom, I challenge conventional thinking on healthcare policy. I urge immediate, decisive action to protect those who defend our nation, ensuring their health and well-being are not compromised by flawed or harmful policies.
Strategic Insight and Hard-Hitting Advocacy
This platform is designed for those ready to engage with rigorous, thought-provoking commentary on global issues—whether it's the future of national security, the intersection of health and warfare, or the urgent need for reforms in military healthcare and veterans' rights. My articles will bridge gaps, challenge institutional thinking, and highlight pressing issues that demand immediate attention.
The articles will explore the direct relationship between today’s child health crisis and tomorrow’s national security crisis. This is not a theoretical discussion—it is an urgent reality with profound, long-term consequences for our nation.
A Call to Action
The time to think differently about the challenges we face is now. This means questioning authority, embracing complexity, and engaging in the hard conversations that too many shy away from. For me, this involves actively engaging with military leaders, health experts, policymakers, and the public to address the future of defense, health, and global stability.
Drawing on years of experience in nonlinear warfare and complex systems, I offer a unique perspective to navigate the multifaceted challenges that lie ahead.
Final Thoughts
Real Reactions and my advocacy are anchored in one core mission: to fight for those injured by vaccines, demand systemic reforms, and ensure that the very systems designed to protect our service members do not fail them. This is about accountability, justice, and securing the future of our military readiness.
Thank you for subscribing and joining the conversation. Together, we can ask the tough questions, challenge the status quo, and chart a path toward a more secure and resilient future.
For ongoing insights, follow me on X at @DrC_Shackelford and @RealReactionsNP. Visit my website at realreactions.org for more on my nonprofit’s mission and to access articles on the intersection of healthcare and military readiness.
In Closing: A Final Note About Me
Curiosity and inquisitiveness are the driving forces behind my work. Over the years, catalyzing change has remained a constant theme in my life. If you’re interested in the literature that has shaped my worldview, here are a few notable works that have influenced my thinking:
Jullien, F. (2004). A treatise on efficacy: Between Western and Chinese thinking (J. G. H. L. van de Ven, Trans.). University of Hawaii Press.
Hirschbein, S. (1998). What if they gave a crisis and nobody came? Interpreting international crisis. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
Tsoukas, H. (2005). Complex knowledge: Studies in organizational epistemology. Oxford University Press.
Kasapoglu, C. (2015). Russia’s renewed military thinking: Nonlinear warfare and reflexive control. SETA Publications.
Qiao, L., & Wang, X. (1999). Unrestricted warfare: China’s master plan to destroy America. Pan Books
Jacobsen, A. (2015). The Pentagon's brain: An uncensored history of DARPA, America's top-secret military research agency. Little, Brown and Company.
As we face the complexities of today’s world, it’s clear that everything is interconnected. This understanding shapes my approach to creating a future defined by clarity, strategic foresight, and purposeful action.
Once again, thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can drive meaningful change.
Once again, thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s continue the conversation and explore how we can drive meaningful change.
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