🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing & leadership
26 September 2025
Editor’s Note
This week’s readings and podcasts highlight innovation in care and sustainment, Army force design, leadership balance, AI in decision-making, and the profession of arms. They remind us that writing is part of warfighting—testing ideas before they’re tested in combat. If I missed something, send it my way.
- Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
· From Problem to Prototype: Innovating Dental Care for LSCO – 1SG Samuel Reggans (FTGN)
A story of how grassroots innovation can solve critical readiness challenges.
· Skip Band of Brothers, Watch Andor – MAJ Proto & 2LT Phocas (FTGN)
Pop culture as leadership primer—why Andor is a better study of modern officership than classic war dramas.
· A Cat, a Hat, and the Benefit of Constraints – Joe Byerly (FTGN)
Explores how constraints can spark creativity and sharpen leadership practice.
· Inside the Battle of Shusha – Liam Collins, Jayson Geroux & John Spencer (MWI)
Lessons from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict on urban operations and tactical adaptation.
· Reimagining Army Divisions for Twenty-First Century Warfare – LTC Nathan Jennings (MWI)
Argues for redesigning divisions to meet modern operational demands.
· Improvised Genius: Can the U.S. Match Ukraine’s Scrappy Innovation Culture? – Paul Schwennesen (MWI)
Looks at Ukraine’s rapid battlefield innovation and the challenge for U.S. forces.
· Let Them Fly: Generating Drone Readiness at Army Installations – Charlie Phelps (MWI)
Calls for installations to play a bigger role in developing drone competence.
· Why Regime Change in Iran Cannot Be Imposed – Alexandra Veyne (IWI)
Analyzes the enduring limits of regime-change strategies in Iran.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
Resources, sustainment, and authorities to deliver combat power worldwide.
· LOGSTAT – Developing an Advanced Manufacturing Strategy – CPT Garett Pyle with COL Rob Montgomery & CW5 Kent Shepherd III (Podcast)
Discusses how advanced manufacturing can bolster sustainment and readiness.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
· Adapting to Future Wars: The PLA Army’s Special Operations Reorganization – Joshua Arostegui (SSI)
Examines PLA restructuring and implications for U.S. Army SOF.
· Weaponizing Risk: Recalibrating Western Deterrence – Host: Stephanie Crider, Guest: Antulio J. Echevarria II (SSI Podcast)
Explores risk as a strategic tool in deterrence.
· Global Public Security with Chinese Characteristics – Host: Bonnie Glaser, Guest: Dr. Sheena Chestnut (SSI Podcast)
Looks at China’s concept of public security and its international implications.
· Alien Oracles: Military Decision-Making with Unexplainable AI – Andrew Hill & Dustin Blair (War on the Rocks)
Weighs the risks and potential of incorporating opaque AI into decision-making.
· Pursuing Higher Education: New Pathways for Civil Affairs SOF – MSG Davis & CSM (Ret.) Timothy Strong (Special Warfare Journal)
Argues for stronger educational opportunities to prepare Civil Affairs Soldiers.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
· The Power of Stability – CSM John T. Adkerson (NCO Journal)
Highlights how stability builds trust and long-term organizational effectiveness.
· Under One Flag: Multinational Lessons from Freedom Shield 25 – MAJ Benjamin Backsmeier (USA) & MAJ George Lynch-Stauton (UK) (CJO)
Lessons in coalition leadership and adaptability during multinational exercises.
· Hitting the Leadership Sweet Spot: Balancing Servant Leadership and Empowerment – Capt. Libby Read (USAF) (Military Mentors)
Explores how leaders can balance humility with empowerment.
· AUSA Podcast – How an Iron Man Leads His Troops – LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith & SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey with guest LTG Brian Eifler (AUSA Podcast)
Discusses Army readiness and security challenges.
· H2F Policy Update – Alex Morrow & Drew Hammond (Mops & Moes Podcast)
Updates on Holistic Health and Fitness implementation across the Army.
· How to Improve Your Two-Mile Run – (Mops & Moes)
Practical training tips to improve APFT/ACFT performance.
📖 Resources & Calls
MWI 2025-26 Research Fellows Program – Preventing War in the Indo-Pacific
🧰 Weekend Loadout
Quick Read: A Cat, a Hat, and the Benefit of Constraints – creativity through limits
Deep Dive: Adapting to Future Wars: The PLA Army’s Special Operations Reorganization - learning from China’s force transformation
Must-Listen: AUSA Podcast – How an Iron Man Leads His Troops Readiness and security challenges in today’s Army
🧭 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. Share this roll-up with your formation, and consider adding your own voice to the conversation.