Harding Fellow Feature
MAJ Emily Lopez on From the Green Notebook
Last week, our very own MAJ Emily Lopez wrote a piece on From The Green Notebook talking her experience as one of our first Harding Fellows. Her article entitled, “What I Learned as an Inaugural Harding Fellow—and Why You Should Apply”, discusses her personal calculus that led to her decision to apply for and accept the fellowship.
Emily highlights the people-centric aspect of the job, as writing can be extremely personal. She talks about writing as a form of communication to bridge the gap between my experiences and yours, to create a shared understanding and, in our case, prepare us strategically for the next fight.
Emily is currently our co-Military Editor-in-Chief for Special Warfare and remarks that her time as a fellow has prepared her for the next step in her career: Civil Affairs Company Command, by making her a more well-rounded leader. She also admits she would be hard-pressed to think of another assignment that has given her the exposure that this one has. On several occasions during her tenure, she briefed Division-level commands and interacted with the Sergeant Major of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army.
MAJ Lopez receives a coin from the Chief of Staff of the Army while at the AUSA Powerful Prose Event. He commended her for her work as the Editor-in-Chief of Special Warfare.
We are so incredibly proud to highlight MAJ Lopez for her outstanding work with The Harding Project. While she will soon be off doing amazing things for the Army, she will certainly be sorely missed for her infectious positive energy, astounding competence, and effortless brilliance. If you’re looking to fill some pretty big shoes, take this as your sign to apply today!
Major Emily Lopez currently serves as a Harding Project Fellow at the Special Operations Center of Excellence at Fort Bragg, NC, where she is the co-Military Editor-in-Chief of Special Warfare. Emily commissioned as an Ordnance officer and transitioned to Civil Affairs in 2019, spending most of her SOF career focused on the European area of responsibility. She served in multiple roles, including team leader, battalion planner, and special operations task force executive officer during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.