John B. Alexander
Encyclopedia
John Alexander is a retired US Army Colonel and a leading advocate for the development of non-lethal weapons. He was born in New York in 1937, and obtained a PhD from Walden University
in 1980. Col. Alexander figures prominently in journalist Jon Ronson
's book The Men Who Stare At Goats
which examines the subject of New Age
ideas influencing the military.
During his time in the army he showed interest in esoteric techniques similar to those explored by Lt. Col. Jim Channon
in his First Earth Battalion
manual. An example is neuro-linguistic programming
with which he hoped to create "Jedi warriors" (according to his own account in his 1990 book The Warrior's Edge). He has published another book, UFOs: Myths, Conspiracies, and Realities (ISBN 978-0-312-64834-3).
. There he discusses his personal experiences with paranormality within the US military. He claims that the Soviet Typhoon class submarine
first became known to American military intelligence by paranormal methods.
Walden University
Walden University is a private, for-profit, specialized distance learning institution of higher education. Headquartered in the Mills District in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public...
in 1980. Col. Alexander figures prominently in journalist Jon Ronson
Jon Ronson
Jon Ronson is a Welsh journalist, documentary filmmaker, radio presenter and nonfiction author, whose works include The Men Who Stare At Goats. His journalism and columns have appeared in British publications including The Guardian newspaper, City Life and Time Out magazine...
's book The Men Who Stare At Goats
The Men Who Stare at Goats
The Men Who Stare at Goats is a book by Jon Ronson about the U.S. Army's exploration of New Age concepts and the potential military applications of the paranormal. The title refers to attempts to kill goats by staring at them...
which examines the subject of New Age
New Age
The New Age movement is a Western spiritual movement that developed in the second half of the 20th century. Its central precepts have been described as "drawing on both Eastern and Western spiritual and metaphysical traditions and then infusing them with influences from self-help and motivational...
ideas influencing the military.
Career
He joined the army in 1956 and retired in 1988 after serving among other things with research and development, special operations, and served as a Special Forces commander in Vietnam and Thailand.During his time in the army he showed interest in esoteric techniques similar to those explored by Lt. Col. Jim Channon
Jim Channon
Jim Channon, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, now retired, is a futurologist and military theorist. Channon is primarily recognised for creating the First Earth Battalion Operations Manual.-The manual:...
in his First Earth Battalion
First Earth Battalion
The First Earth Battalion was the name proposed by Lieutenant Colonel Jim Channon, a U.S. soldier who had served in Vietnam, for his idea of a new military to be organized along New Age lines.-Principles:...
manual. An example is neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
with which he hoped to create "Jedi warriors" (according to his own account in his 1990 book The Warrior's Edge). He has published another book, UFOs: Myths, Conspiracies, and Realities (ISBN 978-0-312-64834-3).
In popular culture
Alexander is interviewed for the documentary featurette "The Science Behind the Fiction" which appears on the DVD for the 2009 film PushPush (2009 film)
Push is a 2009 American science fiction thriller film directed by Paul McGuigan. The film stars Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Joel Gretsch and Djimon Hounsou...
. There he discusses his personal experiences with paranormality within the US military. He claims that the Soviet Typhoon class submarine
Typhoon class submarine
The Project 941 or Akula, Russian "Акула" class submarine is a type of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine deployed by the Soviet Navy in the 1980s...
first became known to American military intelligence by paranormal methods.
External links
- Official webpage
- National Institute for Discovery Science profile page on Alexander, hosted on Internet ArchiveInternet ArchiveThe Internet Archive is a non-profit digital library with the stated mission of "universal access to all knowledge". It offers permanent storage and access to collections of digitized materials, including websites, music, moving images, and nearly 3 million public domain books. The Internet Archive...