Expedited Revision: AR 600–100 stewards the Army's journals

and emphasizes writing as part of the profession

Professional writing within the Army is hardly new. Since well before Harding’s day, leaders have turned their battlefield experiences into lessons learned and shared. This tradition aligns perfectly with political scientist Samuel P. Huntington’s definition of a profession, which highlights two critical elements: expertise and corporateness (the sense of shared identity, organic unity, and a group consciousness that characterizes a profession, particularly the military). Both are strengthened when leaders commit to clear, substantive writing that builds upon the Army’s body of knowledge and reinforces the organization’s shared identity.

On March 27, 2025, the Army released an expedited revision of Army Regulation (AR) 600–100: Army Profession and Leadership Policy, introducing heightened emphasis on this very point. Importantly, this regulation realizes the Harding Project’s stewardship goal by formally charging Training and Doctrine Command with stewarding “the Army’s system of professional journals, ensuring appropriate staffing, accessible and quality content, and integration into PME in partnership with the Director, Army Publishing Directorate, in accordance with AR 25–30 and DA Pam 25–40.” The regulation then underscores professional writing as a core leadership responsibility, the regulation reminds us that effective written communication is central to mission success.

Key Passages

Below are several key passages (quoted directly from the new regulation) that highlight how professional writing contributes to the Army profession.

1. Communicates.
   “Communicates. Leaders communicate by expressing ideas and actively listening to others. Effective leaders understand the nature and power of written and verbal communication and they practice effective communication techniques so they can better relate to others and translate decisions into actions. Communication is essential to all other leadership competencies.”

2. Prepares Self.
   “Prepares self. Leaders prepare to execute their leadership responsibilities fully. They are aware of their limitations and strengths and seek to leverage strengths to overcome limitations. Only through preparation for missions and other challenges, awareness of self and situations, and the practice of lifelong learning, reading, writing, and development can individuals fulfill the responsibilities of leadership.”

3. Stewards of the Army Profession.
   “Stewards of the Army Profession. Leaders steward the profession by safeguarding the people and resources entrusted to their care. Stewardship within a profession requires leaders to contribute and add to the body of knowledge and expertise related to the profession. Effective stewardship also requires accountability and enforcement of standards.”

Closing Thoughts

These updates to AR 600–100 codify professional writing as far more than an administrative function; it is an essential component of building expertise and corporateness within our Army. By honing writing skills, leaders not only ensure their ideas are clearly communicated but also strengthen the very foundation of the profession. If you want to contribute to the Army’s rich tradition of professional discourse—or simply sharpen your ability to lead—now is the time to embrace the renewed call for clear, purposeful writing.