The Friday Formation

21 November 2025

🪖 The Friday Formation

This week’s dispatch on Army writing & leadership
21 November 2025

---

🍁 Editor’s Note

As we move deeper into November, this week’s readings focus on clarity in transition—whether it’s shifting from analysis to action, preparing for rapid change, or navigating the gray zones of irregular warfare. These articles challenge us to think like commanders, act with purpose, and recognize that the profession demands more than learning: it demands judgment.

If I missed something worth sharing, send it my way—professional writing is how the Army keeps its edge sharp, especially in periods of transition.

-Chris

---

---

⚔️ Warfighting

• From “So What?” to “Therefore” – Louis Crist (FTGN) A sharp reflection on transforming analysis into decisive action—because insight without execution is inertia.

• Think Like a Commander – Lou Crist (FTGN) Encourages junior leaders to elevate perspective, anticipate second-order effects, and think at higher echelons.

• Burned Brakes and Broken Habits – Sam Balch (FTGN) Applying jumpmaster precision to everyday leadership—attention to detail as a form of discipline.

• Transition-Period Warfare – Joshua Suthoff (MWI) Argues that transition periods require new organizational concepts to maintain tempo and initiative.

• Five Questions for a General: BG Adam Ake – Host: Cadet Zach Olson (MWI Podcast) BG Ake discusses modernization, multinational command, and leading through digital transformation.

• Restoring Fires and Maneuver – MG Thomas Feltey & MAJ Heath Rosendale (Military Review) A timely analysis of balancing fires and maneuver in the modern fight.

---

🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power

• LOGSTAT: Unlocking Lessons from the Past – CPT Garett Pyle (DVIDS Podcast) A solo episode exploring how lessons learned in sustainment history can inform readiness today.

• Are New Defense Companies Giving Away Sensitive Info Through Marketing? – Jake Chapman (War on the Rocks) Raises critical concerns about OPSEC in the defense innovation ecosystem.

• What Successful Regime Change in Venezuela Would Really Take – Orlando J. Perez (War on the Rocks) Highlights the immense structural, security, and social challenges behind political change.

• Culture as National Power – Stephanie Sellers & Qingan Leasure (AUSA WAR ROOM) A compelling argument for why culture and values matter just as much as military might.

---

🔄 Continuous Transformation

• Podcast: IW – LTG Andy Rohling & Jon Armstrong – Hosts: Kyle Atwell & Dr. Olga Chiriac (IWI Podcast) A deep dive into irregular warfare, alliances, and the role of persistent engagement.

• Resistance Is Victory – Brian Kerg (IWI) Taiwan’s strategic messaging efforts as a bulwark against coercion.

• Sabotage as a New Normal – Rick Chersicla (IWI) Highlights sabotage as an increasingly common element of state competition.

• Proxies in Hybrid Operations – Kevin D. Stringer & Svenja Mach (IWI) Insights from European partners on the evolving use of proxies.

• Advancing the SOF Profession – Joseph Long (IWI) A roadmap for the future of the SOF profession in a dynamic threat environment.

• Interoperability Warfighter Exercises – Abel Almanza Jr & John “Jay” Bradley (SWJ) Shows how training environments must evolve for multinational, multi-domain operations.

• Taiwan’s Lexington Without Concord – Tang MengKit (SWJ) Explores Taiwan’s strategic challenge of resistance without escalation.

• Transitioning PME to All-AI All-the-Time – James Lacey (SWJ) A provocative argument for integrating AI as the core of PME.

• China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint – Greitens, Kardon & Waltz (SSI) Reveals how China exports internal security models abroad for influence.

• SSI Live 118 – China Strategic Competition Seminar – Host: MAJ Brennan Deveraux (SSI Podcast) A discussion on China’s expanding strategic footprint and U.S. responses.

---

📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms

• Ep. 165 – Fascism, Communism, and the War for Middle-earth – Host: Joe Byerly; Guest: Joe Loconte (FTGN Podcast) A conversation on ideology, morality, and timeless lessons from Tolkien.

• Listening Like a Leader – Josh Bowen (3x5 Leadership) A reminder that leaders lead best when they listen first.

• Start With Why – Josh Bowen (3x5 Leadership) On grounding leadership in purpose—not position.

• Throwback Thursday: Accountability & Action – CPT Phillip Fluke & 2LT Kate Taylor (Harding Substack) A reflection on mentorship, ownership, and honest self-assessment.

---

📖 Resources & Calls

• CSA Recommended Articles – Army University Press – The Chief’s reading list.

• Call for Papers – Army Civilian Journal - Invitation to contribute.

• Professional Writing Playlist (YouTube) – Talks and discussions on military writing.

• Professional Military Writing – Military Review – Why writing matters.

🧰 TL;DR

• Quick Read: Think Like a Commander (FTGN)

• Deep Dive: Transition-Period Warfare (MWI)

• Must-Listen: IW Podcast with LTG Rohling (IWI)

🧭 About the Harding Project

The Harding Project is Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy George’s initiative to strengthen the profession through professional writing and public discourse.

The one-stop shop for all branch journal articles is the Line of Departure website – check it out to get your daily dose of Army professional development! If you have good ideas or lessons to share with the rest of the force, please pen them and send them our way at submissions@hardingproject.com.

We’re renewing professional writing across the force—one Friday at a time. Read. Reflect. Act. The profession doesn’t stand still, and neither should we.