The Friday Formation
20 February 2026
🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing, leadership, and learning
Friday, 13 February 2026
🗓️ Editor’s Note
This week’s readings converge on a central theme: resilience — intellectual, industrial, institutional, and human.
From adversaries testing NATO’s seams to questions about sustainment in the Indo-Pacific, from stress management to intelligence modernization, the throughline is clear: modern conflict is contested long before contact.
Preparation is not a single action. It is a culture.
Read deliberately. Think deeply. Strengthen the formation.
Chris
🏛️ Featured Leadership Essay
In his last few months as our 39th VCSA, GEN(R) Jim Mingus wrote a series of articles on eight topics in which he was personally invested regarding Army transformation and modernization. These run the gamut from the Army’s network, to how to think about autonomy on the battlefield, to how the Army runs, and of course Holistic Health and Fitness. Over the next four weeks, MWI will publish two articles a week on these topics.
The Modern King of Battle: Creating the Army’s Integrated Fires Complex
GEN (Ret.) James Mingus, John Weissenborn, Peter Sulzona — MWI
Argues for integrated fires dominance in large-scale combat operations.
Our Network Can’t Be the First Obstacle in the Fight
GEN (Ret.) James Mingus, Berline Marcelin, Zak Dakar — MWI
Explores command-and-control modernization and network resilience.
⚔️ Warfighting
Maneuver Under a Lying Sky James J. Torrence — Modern War Institute
Examines Russia’s probing actions on NATO’s northern flank and the implications for deterrence credibility.
Regular or Unleaded: Differentiating Irregular WarfareChad Machiela & Seth Gray — Small Wars Journal
Clarifies distinctions between conventional and irregular conflict frameworks.
AI-Intelligentized Naval Mines and U.S. Subsea AccessCatherine Marie Abbott — SWJ
Assesses maritime denial risks in the South China Sea.
Gaza and the Conduct of Urban War Andy Milburn — War on the Rocks
Examines civilian harm mitigation in dense urban combat.
Five Questions for a General: BG Shane Reeves Host: Cadet Emily Wilczek — Guest: BG Shane Reeves
Leadership reflections on ethics, law, and modern warfare.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
Sustainment Through Science and Leadership SSG Tyler Lowery — AUSA Land Warfare Paper
Highlights scientific integration in sustainment modernization.
Transformation in Contact 1LT Nathania Nuño — Army Sustainment
Examines sustainment adaptation in LSCO.
Beyond the Convoy MAJ Herman “TJ” Tisdale — Army Sustainment
Discusses decentralized logistics in contested theaters.
LOGSTAT: Reps & Sets – Sustaining Joint Forcible Entry Host: CPT Garett Pyle | Guests: LTC Jason Day, CSM Luis Colon, CPT Zachary Stefanski
Operational sustainment lessons for forcible entry operations.
Army Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Tyler Fleming — SWJ
Examines HUMINT evolution in contemporary conflict.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
China’s Digital Yuan in Southeast Asia Hugh Harsono — IWI
Explores financial statecraft and digital currency expansion.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Retaining Advising CapabilitiesJacob Myers — MWI
Advocates preserving advisory expertise amid force reductions.
Wargaming Still Matters Wes Daugherty — War Room
Reinforces the enduring relevance of war gaming.
Intelligence Support to Information Advantage COL Jonathan Steinback et al. — MIPB
Connects intelligence modernization to decision advantage
Russia’s Coming Failure in Africa John J. Chin, Haleigh Bartos, Aleksaundra Handrinos — IWI
Assesses Moscow’s fragile influence networks across Africa.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
EP 172: How Work Stress Hijacks Your Life Host: Joe Byerly | Guest: Dr. Guy Winch
Explores leadership resilience and mental readiness.
Audacious Habits Josh Bowen — 3×5 Leadership
Examines disciplined habit formation in leadership development.
Winning the Talent War MAJ Chris Slininger — Military Review
Analyzes culture, mentorship, and retention as strategic advantages.
Sponsorship, Integration, Counseling, Mentorship SFC Michael Holguin — NCO Journal
Addresses leader development frameworks at the tactical level.
Teaching, Coaching, Mentorship Framework LTC (Ret.) Jason Ballard — Military Mentors
Clarifies distinctions between teaching, coaching, and mentorship.
📖 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: Audacious Habits
Deep Dive: The Modern King of Battle
Listen: EP 172: How Work Stress Hijacks Your Life
🧭 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.