Leading in the operational force in an environment of reduced manning and high OPTEMPO is hard – executing the thousands of tasks to standard while also running a unit writing program is even harder. Given competing demands and priorities, Soldiers and leaders routinely deal with limited time and bandwidth, leading to tradeoffs. Given these constraints, how can tactical leaders develop and incentivize professional writing in their organization?
We explore “a way” to implement a Battalion writing program in our recent article, “Aligning Incentives: Professional Writing in the Army’s Operational Domain”.1 In this article, we describe how we operationalized the CSA’s call to write with the Mustang Writing Initiative. We launched the Initiative in January 2023, comprising a series of leader professional development sessions, working lunches, writing workshops, and Battalion internal peer-review sessions. With concerted effort and command emphasis, over the last year, seven Mustang authors have published ten articles in seven different outlets. Another eight officers and NCOs have papers submitted for review, or in various stages of development. This experience shows Army leaders in the operational domain can play in developing “watering holes” that improve writing skills and fostering better Army writers.
Our Initiative was initially published in the Battalion’s Quarterly Training Guidance, as part of the Battalion’s leader development strategy. The Initiative began as an optional effort designed to support any Mustangs interested in professional writing. We made a deliberate decision to make participation optional, acknowledging that writing takes time and focus that may not be available for all Soldiers in our formation. Given these challenges associated with professional writing, we also did not mandate publication in a professional outlet as the only end-state. This was not a feasible first step for numerous volunteers who needed additional development. Instead of only focusing on professional publications, we encouraged participants to also consider publishing an after-action review or short white papers, intended to be shared across our Brigade and Division, as other writing options.
Given an already busy battle rhythm, the Initiative met monthly as a working lunch, to maximize attendance and limit scheduling conflicts. Initial meetings focused on identifying potential topics, developing thesis statements, reviewing relevant literature, creating outlines, and employing evidence. Additionally, we discussed writing techniques from sources such as Dr. Lythgoe’s “Professional Writing: The Command and General Staff College Writing Guide.” As authors developed outlines and draft papers, they received tailored feedback on working drafts from either the Battalion Commander or Executive Officer, along with submission advice and recommended next steps.
As the Initiative has evolved, the monthly meetings now entail:
Briefly discuss recent professional publications, of interest to 1-8th Cavalry Battalion, recommended future reading.
Successful authors sharing their publication experience, to include thesis development, evidence selection, research process, outlet selection and submission lessons learned.
Working draft authors share an update on their project, to include current draft status, literature review, help needed, and goal outlet or product (i.e. AAR or white-paper).
We close the meeting with an opportunity for new authors to share project ideas, ask questions, and receive feedback from the audience on thesis development, paper outline, and literature review help.
In total, this monthly working lunch lasts an hour. Participants are encouraged to schedule follow on appointments for focused assistance with any steps in the writing process. On average, over the last year, each of us invest approximately ten hours into the Mustang Writing Initiative per month, consisting of monthly group meetings, one-on-one meetings, and time spent reviewing draft outlines and papers. We’ve found this process effectively develops our junior writers, educates participants about the research and writing process, mentors volunteers through the submission process, and holds authors accountable for completing drafts.
One of the main take-aways from our experience is that Commander buy-in is key to a successful unit writing program. Like most things, if a commander finds something interesting, the subordinates will find that topic fascinating. Commanders and leaders at echelon can play an important role in cultivating a subordinate’s writing skills, creating unit-level writing development programs, setting reasonable goals, mentoring authors through submission process, and most importantly – incentivize professional thought and writing.
In closing, the CSA and the Harding Project both note that U.S. Army professional journals need to be revitalized to strengthen written discourse and produce new ideas for emerging operational concepts and technology. Writing education in the U.S. Army cannot only exist in the institutional domain and PME. Though the force is challenged by a busy operational tempo, an investment from leaders at echelon can provide Soldiers with the writing development they need to meaningfully engage in professional discourse, share lessons learned, refine doctrine, and prepare the U.S. Army for the complicated future operating environment.
Lt. Col. Jay A. Ireland, U.S. Army, is an armor officer and commander of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He previously served in the 1st Armored Division and 4th Infantry. He holds a BS from the U.S. Military Academy and an MA in geography from the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
Maj. Ryan C. Van Wie, U.S. Army, is an infantry officer and the executive officer of 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. He previously served in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the 4th Infantry Division. He holds a BS from the U.S. Military Academy and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
This article is an abridged version of: Jay Ireland and Ryan Van Wie “Aligning Incentives: Professional Writing in the Army’s Operational Domain” Military Review (Online Exclusive), February 9th, 2024: https://www.armyupress.army.mil/journals/military-review/online-exclusive/2024-ole/aligning-incentives/.
Inviting junior enlisted and not just NCOs and Officers to such meetings would be the way to get influential material read. It also may cultivate the right relationships.