The Friday Formation
12 December 2025
🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing, leadership, and learning from every front
12 December 2025
❄️ Editor’s Note
As the year winds down, it is tempting to coast. This week’s readings push in the opposite direction. They focus on sharpening the craft of warfighting, building a more resilient industrial base, understanding irregular threats from orbit to the littorals, and treating writing and mentorship as serious professional obligations.
You will see a strong theme of reflection and contribution: from book reviews and “Write for Military Review” to mentoring, delegation, and humility in leadership. If anything is missing from your formation, please send it my way so we can include it in a future dispatch.
- Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
An Alliance Enhanced Defense Industrial Base: Reimagining the Arsenal of Freedom – Matthew Revels and Eric Uribe (MWI)
Argues for a more integrated allied industrial base capable of surging and sustaining combat power at scale.MWI Podcast – Training, Education, and the Modern Battlefield – Host: John Amble; Guest: COL Ethan Diven
A conversation on how training and education need to evolve for a complex, rapidly changing fight.The Death of the Triangular Patrol Base – Charlie Phelps and Benny Jenness (MWI)
Challenges long-held assumptions about patrol base geometry and survivability.Strategic Depth in Modern Warfare – Daniel McCauley (SWJ)
Revisits the concept of strategic depth in the age of long-range fires and persistent ISR.The Pentagon Just Issued New Guidance – Jonathan Schroden (SWJ)
Breaks down newly issued guidance and what it means for future conflict and policy.The Reconnaissance Reality Gap – Kai Gilmour Gath (SWJ)
Explores the mismatch between Western recon doctrine and the realities observed in Ukraine.Testing Willpower – Joseph Leonard (SWJ)
A thought experiment in how an adversary might pressure American resolve during a Taiwan crisis.Missing War – David Maxwell (SWJ)
Reflects on the dangers of nostalgia, identity, and “missing the fight” after conflict.Maintenance of Global Stability – Chick Edmond (SWJ)
Discusses the burden and costs of maintaining a global order that is under increasing strain.Unseen Weakness – CW3 Jay D. Darnell and Justin W. Stancell (MIPB)
Looks at hidden vulnerabilities in intelligence systems and processes.Military Review (Nov–Dec 2025, operational and historical focus):
A Critical Link – Maj. Brandon J. Schwartz
Meeting Mass with Mass – Lt. Col. Jared W. Nichols
Tarawa: The Seventh Crusade – John D. Hosler, PhD
OIF – Dr. Marjorie Galelli
Iraq After Invasion – Kate Tietzen-Wisdom, PhD
Lesson Learning – David Fitzgerald
Survivability for Space Control Assets – BG Donald Brooks, MAJ Brian Hamel, CPT Andrew Weliver
Proxy Wars – MAJ Juan J. Quiroz
Steppes of Resistance – SFC Travis L. Mann
The Chaco War – MAJ Philip J. McCormick
Bond, Bots, and Bioweapons – Grant W. Turner
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
LOGSTAT: Educating Quiet Professionals – Host: CPT Garett Pyle; Guests: CW5 Kent Shepherd, CW4 Chase Givens, CW4 Jeremy Snow
A discussion with warrant officers on education, expertise, and how to build technical depth in sustainment.Acquisition Reform vs Congress: Who Will Win? – Matt Vallone (War on the Rocks)
Explores the friction between needed reform and political realities.An Alliance Enhanced Defense Industrial Base – Revels and Uribe (MWI)
Also critical here for its focus on shared production, stockpiles, and long-term readiness.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
Pirates or Proxies? The Uskoks of Senj – Robert Redding (IWI)
Uses early modern history to draw lessons on state-sponsored irregulars.Strategic Disruption from Orbit – Trent Keipour (IWI)
Explores how space capabilities can support irregular campaigns in the Indo-Pacific.No Bench, No Game: Reconstituting SOF CA and PSYOP – MAJ Lucas Harrell (Civil Affairs Association)
Argues that SOF must rebuild depth and bench strength in Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations to compete and win in irregular environments.The Pentagon Just Issued… – Jonathan Schroden (SWJ)
A second look here for how new guidance may reshape irregular and gray zone operations.Unseen Weakness – Darnell and Stancell (MIPB)
Also relevant for how unseen gaps in information and systems influence modern competition.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
Four Reasons to Write a Book Review – Caleb Miller (FTGN)
Makes a clear case that book reviews are an accessible on-ramp to professional writing and deeper learning.Write for Military Review (Military Review)
Direct guidance and encouragement for officers, NCOs, and civilians to contribute to the Army’s flagship journal.Humility as a Leadership Attribute – COL Jordon E. Swain, MAJ Catherine Grizzle, MAJ Benjamin Ordiway, Jacob A. Brown, PhD
Argues that humility is not weakness but a core attribute for modern leaders.Review Essay – Marc Leepson
A reminder that serious reading and reviewing can shape the profession’s intellectual direction.Silent Suffering – SSG Mary M. Mosco (NCO Journal)
Addresses unseen struggles and the responsibility leaders have to notice and act.Striking a Balance – CSM Charles D. “Doug” Walker (NCO Journal)
Reflects on balancing mission, family, and self across a long career.Diamond in the Swamp: JRTC – Seth Lynn (Company Grade Officer Forum)
Lessons from JRTC on discomfort, learning, and finding value in the hardest reps.Mentorship Isn’t Magic – Ted Delicath (Military Mentors)
Argues that mentorship is a system and skill set, not a mystical connection.Army Civilian Journal (Leadership and development):
Leading Through Delegation – Vincent Carlisle, PhD
Green Light Go – Heidi Stoetzel
Empowering FLCs at CGSC – Anatole Balma, PhD
📖 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 Reads:
Deep Dives:
Must-Listen:
🧭 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.