The Friday Formation
05 December 2025
🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing & leadership
05 December 2025
🦃 Editor’s Note
Thanksgiving may be over, but the “after-action review” season is just getting started. These two weeks are packed with pieces on drones and recon, gray zones and propaganda, counseling and character, and what it really means to lead in transition. Think of this as your post-holiday reload: one place to catch up on what you might have missed while you were chasing turkey, travel, or time with family.
If there is anything that should be in here but isn’t, send it my way. Professional writing only works when more voices join the conversation.
- Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
The View We Never Get – Joe Byerly (FTGN)
A reminder that leaders rarely see the whole picture and must work to understand the perspectives they do not naturally get.An Open Letter to NCOs: Reclaiming Developmental Counseling – Gustavo Arguello (FTGN)
Challenges NCOs to take back counseling as a deliberate, developmental practice and not a check-the-box task.The Robotification of Warfare – LTC Richard Brennan III (AUSA Land Warfare Paper)
Explores how robotic systems are changing firepower, maneuver, and risk in future conflicts.Mumbai Under Siege – Liam Collins, Jayson Geroux and John Spencer (MWI)
A case study in urban terrorism, response, and the challenges of fighting in dense, complex terrain.Drones Are Not Antithetical to Maneuver Warfare – Charlie Phelps (MWI)
Argues that drones can enhance maneuver by extending reach, tempo, and decision cycles.The Future of Drones in the US Army – Eric Johnson (MWI)
Uses interwar tank lessons to warn how the Army should and should not integrate drones.Winning the Tactical Reconnaissance Strike Fight – George Pavlakis and Randall Towles (MWI)
Draws lessons from Centaur Squadron on how to connect sensors, shooters, and decision-makers.Transition-Period Warfare – Joshua Suthoff (MWI)
Examines how to organize and fight while formations, concepts, and technology are all in motion.Combat Surgery in Afghanistan – Host: Charlie Faint; Guest: Fred Lough (The Spear Podcast)
A powerful conversation on battlefield medicine, ethical decisions, and the human cost of war.Three Months, Two Thousand Meters – Gil Barndollar (MWI)
Offers a ground-level snapshot of the war in Ukraine and what it reveals about modern combat.SOF in LSCO – BG Matthew J. Hardman and LTC Ian M. McConnel (Military Review)
Outlines how special operations forces should be employed in large-scale combat operations.The Game Tape Shows All – LTC Teddy Borawski and CPT Cody McCurry (Infantry)
Uses the analogy of game tape to argue for honest tactical self-review and learning.Air Defense at Echelon – Richardson, Covalt, Yelverton and Haroutunian (ADA Journal)
Looks at what it takes to provide layered air defense from the tactical to operational level.Special Warfare Drone Networks for the Modern Battlefield – SSG Samuel S. Overton (Special Warfare Journal)
Explores how SOF can build resilient drone networks in denied environments.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
LOGSTAT: Culinary Warriors – Meals on Demand – Host: CPT Garett Pyle; Guest: SFC Janette Odom (LOGSTAT Podcast)
A look at how modern food service and “meals on demand” impact readiness, morale, and tempo.Meet the New CLSC Director – A Conversation on Korea – Host: MAJ Brennan Deveraux; Guest: COL Michael Long (SSI Podcast)
Discusses sustainment posture and operational challenges on the Korean peninsula.The Case for an Allied Competitive Strategy – Arjun Akwei and Jinwan Park (War on the Rocks)
Argues that allies must coordinate not just in war, but in long-term strategic competition.A 15-Point Plan to Get to a Ukrainian-Russian Settlement – Ryan Evans (War on the Rocks)
Lays out a detailed, if difficult, pathway to ending the war on terms that protect Ukrainian sovereignty.A Historic Resolution, an Unworkable Plan – Jonathan Lincoln (War on the Rocks)
Examines the gap between diplomatic resolutions and practical outcomes in Gaza.How Washington Is Losing the AI Race No One Is Tracking – Javaid Iqbal Sofi (War on the Rocks)
Warns of overlooked AI competition that is not in the headlines but still matters for national power.The Last Stand Dilemma in Ukraine – Host: Ryan Evans; Guest: Lawrence Freedman (War on the Rocks Podcast)
Explores when to fight on and when to preserve combat power, and what that means for strategy.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
Chance and Necessity – Ben Soltisz (IWI)
Explains how SOF can better support and integrate with cyber operations.Resistance Is Victory – Brian Kerg (IWI)
Shows how Taiwan uses narrative, resilience, and strategy to resist cognitive coercion.IWI Podcast – JIATF and Irregular Competition – Guests: Dr. Jonathan Schroden, Mick Crnkovich, Dave Maxwell (IWI Podcast)
A discussion on joint interagency task forces, irregular warfare, and long-term competition.Gray Zone Clarity – Erika Lafrennie (IWI)
Looks at how civilian-linked maritime networks can improve irregular intelligence at sea.Cybersecurity Strategies: China, Russia, North Korea, Iran – Evan Morgan (SWJ)
Compares how four key adversaries think about and employ cyber power.Middlepowerness in RIMPAC – Kim Renzon D. Palgan (SWJ)
Explores how middle powers shape maritime exercises and coalition influence.Space-Guided Supremacy – Tahir Azad (SWJ)
Examines China’s push for space-enabled missile and hypersonic dominance.Aid Policy in East Africa Needs an Endgame – Daniel Gregorio (SWJ)
Argues that humanitarian and development efforts must be tied to clear strategic outcomes.Tomorrow’s Wars, Today’s Problems – Larry Kay and Christopher Hanes (SWJ)
Looks at how unresolved current issues will shape the next generation of conflicts.From Paper to Permafrost – Stephen Gagnon (SWJ)
Applies irregular warfare doctrine to Arctic defense challenges.Revisiting the False Flag – Jonathan Powell and Salah Ben Hammou (SWJ)
Reviews the history and modern use of false-flag operations.American Civil War Guerrilla Warfare – Alex Bogaski (SWJ)
Draws lessons from guerrilla warfare in the American Civil War for today’s irregular fights.When There Is No Off-Season – John “Jay” Bradley (SWJ)
Reflects on persistent competition and what that means for force readiness.A Potential Foreign Legion for Japan and South Korea – Julian McBride (SWJ)
Explores the idea of foreign legions in East Asian democracies and their implications.Operating AI in the Gray Zone – Morgan Plummer (War on the Rocks)
Calls for clear rules and boundaries around the use of AI in competition short of war.Cyber, JIATF, and Modern Propaganda and Modern Propaganda – Paul Lushenko, Tom Spahr, Peter Pomerantsev, Michael Neiberg (AUSA WAR ROOM Podcasts)
Two episodes that unpack joint structures and narrative warfare in the information age.Episode 98 – Transformation in Contact: The 101st – Host: LTC Jessamyn Jempson; Guests: MG Brett Sylvia, COL (Ret) Rich Creed (CAC Podcast)
A conversation about transforming a division while it is deployed and still in contact.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
A Leader’s True North: Start with the Golden Rule – CSM Scott Dinse (FTGN)
Brings leadership back to a simple, demanding standard: treat people the way you want to be treated.Adjusting the Learning Curve to Mentor the Workforce of the Future – COL Chevy Cook (FTGN)
Explores how leaders can mentor a changing, multi-generational workforce.The Need to Lead Without Ego – Host: Joe Byerly; Guest: Dave Berke (FTGN Podcast)
A conversation about humility, discipline, and why ego kills teams.The Dark Side of Candor – Josh Bowen (3x5 Leadership)
Warns that “just being honest” can harm trust if it is not paired with empathy and wisdom.Navigating Resistance to Transformation – SGM Raymond L. Lopez (NCO Journal)
Offers practical ways for NCOs to lead through resistance and change fatigue.Striking a Balance – CSM Charles D. “Doug” Walker (NCO Journal)
Reflects on balancing mission, family, and self over a career.AJOC: Drive Tomorrow’s Solutions, Today – MAJ Chris Slininger (CJO)
Describes the Army Junior Officer Counsel and how junior officers can shape institutional change.Mentoring in Uncharted Waters – Panagiotis Tsiampas (Military Mentors)
A reflection on mentoring when there is no clear path and uncertainty is the norm.Mops & Moes Podcasts – CSM Shaun Curry and Finding Good Vibes with Will Webb
Two conversations that connect leadership, identity, and holistic health.
📖 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:
The Need to Lead Without Ego (FTGN)
Episode 98 – Transformation in Contact: The 101st (CAC Podcast)
🧭 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.