Forging Ideas

The First Steps of the MSCoE Iron Pen Competition

When I first brought up the idea of a writing competition to MG Beck, his response was exactly what I needed to hear: “Go forth and do.” No hesitation, no reservations—just a clear mandate to take the idea and run with it. And so, the MSCoE Iron Pen Competition was born.

The goal was simple: to promote professional writing and encourage Soldiers and leaders to share their ideas and experiences. But turning that vision into something real came with its share of challenges. Like most new initiatives, it required some heavy lifting to get off the ground—and we’re still figuring it out as we go.

The Forcing Function and Selection Process

In theory, getting people to write articles sounds easy. In practice, it’s something else entirely. Early on, the regiments pushed back hard against the requirement to submit five articles over three months—four from their branch and one on Protection topics. Submitting just one article per quarter seemed far more reasonable to them. After all, they would still get to select their own finalist—why bother with five?

But that’s exactly why we couldn’t let it slide.

If the requirement was only one article, that’s all anyone would write. Five articles created a real competition, providing enough content to make the selection process meaningful.

Here’s how it worked: each commandant graded the five submitted articles from their regiment and selected a branch finalist. These branch finalists—representing Chemical, Engineer, Military Police, and Protection—then moved forward for final consideration by the Commanding General (CG).

The CG’s selection wasn’t about writing mechanics or presentation—it focused on how well the ideas addressed real-world challenges and offered practical solutions. Graders prioritized originality and impact, ensuring each article’s value went beyond theoretical concepts.

Photo courtesy of CPT McCallister

Evolving the Structure: Second Iteration

The lessons from the inaugural competition helped shape the next round. For the second iteration, we adjusted the structure to better fit the operational calendar. This meant shortening the timeline to fit neatly within quarters and reducing the number of required articles from five to four—three branch-specific articles and one on Protection—over a two-month period, leaving a third month for grading and recognition.

This change made the competition more manageable for participants and graders while still preserving its competitive spirit and focus on quality.

Writing is Thinking: Early Lessons Learned

The Iron Pen was built on a simple idea: writing forces people to think. It makes you stop, reflect, and put your thoughts in order—a skill that’s valuable for any leader.

We made the deliberate decision to keep the articles raw—no professional editing or polishing. This leveled the playing field and ensured that every submission reflected the writer’s true voice and ideas. These weren’t perfect pieces; they were honest, unfiltered attempts to share something meaningful.

While we provided suggested topics in the order—ranging from corrections practices to emerging battlefield technology—the competition remained open to any subject within MSCoE’s purview. This flexibility encouraged participants to explore topics that mattered most to them and their units.

The competition was directly inspired by the Harding Project, which focuses on revitalizing professional writing and dialogue across the Army. We wanted the Iron Pen to be a practical way to bring that mission to life.

Providing Assistance and Building Beyond the Competition

Recognizing that writing is a challenge for many, we also made it a priority to offer help along the way. The competition wasn’t designed to leave people struggling—it was about encouraging growth and giving them the tools to improve.

That’s where the Professional Writing Workshop came into play. Moving beyond the competition itself, the workshop served as a hands-on effort to help participants refine their writing and develop practical skills they could take back to their units.

In these workshops, participants learned how to organize their ideas, write with clarity, and adapt their style for different audiences. It wasn’t about perfection; it was about progress. By the end, many had built the confidence to share their ideas more clearly and effectively.

The workshop helped shift the focus from just writing to win the competition to building long-term skills. We wanted Soldiers to walk away knowing that writing is a tool they can use in their careers.

Unexpected Support and a Growing Range of Ideas

The first iteration of the competition wasn’t perfect, but it did show us what’s possible. We had to push hard to get things moving, but once the competition got going, there were moments that made it clear we were on the right track.

One of the biggest surprises came from the NCO Academy (NCOA). Without prompting, they launched their own internal writing competition for students, designed to feed directly into the Iron Pen. That kind of buy-in and initiative wasn’t something we expected in the first round, but it made a real difference.

We also saw a wide range of ideas across the submitted articles. Some tackled big-picture concepts like the future of Protection in Multi-Domain Operations, while others focused on specific technical solutions—like integrating emerging technology on the battlefield or improving CBRN response times with microsensors and machine learning.

And then there were standout moments, like the inaugural winner—a Staff Sergeant attending Senior Leader Course (SLC). His article was thoughtful, well-organized, and packed with insight. It showed that even in the early days, there was real potential for this competition to become something valuable.

The Brown Bag Lunch: Real Conversation

The Brown Bag Lunch became one of the most memorable parts of the competition. It wasn’t a high-pressure event filled with rapid-fire questions. Instead, it felt more like a conversation—a chance to connect with senior leaders and explore the ideas in the articles.

Some participants arrived nervous, expecting to be tested. But what they found was an open and welcoming environment. MG Beck and the commandants asked thoughtful, open-ended questions—not to trip anyone up, but to better understand the ideas behind the submissions. By the end, the tension had lifted. What started as an intimidating experience turned into a productive discussion about leadership, growth, and the Army’s future.

Looking Ahead: Building Momentum

The first iteration of the Iron Pen Competition showed us what’s possible. It’s not perfect, and there’s still plenty of room to grow, but the foundation is there.

The long-term goal is simple: keep Soldiers writing, keep them thinking, and keep ideas flowing. Writing isn’t easy, and it never will be. But it’s one of the best tools we have for developing sharper thinkers and stronger leaders.

The future of the Iron Pen is full of potential. The real question is, who’s ready to pick up the pen next?