🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing & leadership
16 October 2025
Editor’s Note
This week’s formation is about reflection, reform, and resilience. From discussions on mentorship and compliance to AI policy and irregular warfare, these pieces challenge leaders to balance modernization with meaning. Each article offers a perspective on how we can continue transforming without losing sight of trust, values, and the people who make our Army what it is. If I missed something, send it my way—and as always, keep writing.
- Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
· Compliance vs. Commitment: Our Appearance as a Promise of Trust – Sam Balch (From the Green Notebook)
A call to leaders to view uniform standards not as mere compliance, but as a visible symbol of trust and shared commitment.
· Forks, Spoons, and Holes in the Sidewalk – Joe Byerly (From the Green Notebook)
A metaphorical take on leadership and attention to detail—how small, overlooked cracks can lead to bigger organizational fractures.
· Failure Bias in Air Advisory Missions – Daniel Jackson (Irregular Warfare Initiative)
Explores how selective reporting and cultural bias distort lessons learned in air advisory efforts.
· Hezbollah’s Information Warfare in the Post–October 7 Era – Pierre-Yves Baillet (Irregular Warfare Initiative)
Analyzes how Hezbollah has weaponized narrative and information to shape perceptions after 7 October.
· Not Just Desert Storm and Yom Kippur: Why the Iran–Iraq War Matters for LSCO – Brandon Morgan (Modern War Institute)
Draws overlooked operational lessons from the Iran–Iraq War that remain relevant for contemporary combat planning.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
· Empowering Soldiers: Driscoll Sees Troops Active, Engaged in Transformation – AUSA News
Highlights how active engagement at all levels is fueling the Army’s modernization efforts.
· Positive Change: GEN George Encourages Innovation and Questioning the Status Quo – AUSA News
Emphasizes the Army Chief of Staff’s message: innovation begins when Soldiers are encouraged to ask “why not.”
· MWI Podcast: Europe’s Airspace Violations and the Counter-Drone Challenge – Host: John Amble; Guest: Dr. Stacie Pettyjohn (MWI Podcast)
Explores Europe’s growing airspace vulnerabilities and the race to defend against drone incursions.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
· More Than Modernization: Ukraine and the Army Transformation Initiative – Jeremy Flake (MWI)
Reflects on how lessons from Ukraine can reshape modernization into continuous transformation.
· Human–Machine Planning: AI Lessons from the Marine Command and Staff College – Joseph O. Chapa & Sofia Cantu (War on the Rocks)
Offers a candid look at AI integration in military education and the ethical challenges it brings.
· Four AI Policy Choices Policymakers Can’t Afford to Get Wrong – Morgan Plummer (War on the Rocks)
Identifies key policy gaps that could define—or derail—the future of defense AI.
· The 3x5 Leadership Podcast – Host: Josh Bowen (3x5 Leadership)
Discusses leadership as a process of iterative learning and continuous reflection.
· Episode: Why Leaders Should Listen First – Host: Josh Bowen (3x5 Leadership)
Highlights the power of listening and empathy in driving organizational transformation.
· MWI Podcast: The Military Technological Arms Race in Ukraine – Host: John Amble (MWI Podcast)
Examines how rapid innovation and decentralized learning are redefining modern warfare.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
· Ep. 161 – The Landeuro Talks – Host: Joe Byerly; Guests: LTG (Ret.) Leslie Smith, CSM Phil Blaisdell & Sarah Draper (FTGN Podcast)
A wide-ranging conversation on leadership, mentorship, and bridging generational divides.
· Risk, Mentorship, and Proving Your Value – Anthony Jenkins (Military Mentors)
A reminder that growth requires vulnerability and that mentorship often begins with risk.
· Coaches AAR Crossover Episode – Hosts: Alex Morrow & Drew Hammond (Mops & Moes Podcast)
A collaborative episode exploring lessons learned from fitness, coaching, and leadership.
· You Are the Experiment – Mark Christiani (Mops & Moes)
A reflective piece reminding leaders to test, learn, and iterate in their personal and professional development.
📖 Resources & Calls
🧰 Weekend Loadout
Quick Read: Compliance vs. Commitment – standards as symbols of trust.
Deep Dive: More Than Modernization – transformation through lessons from Ukraine.
Must-Listen: Ep. 161 – The Landeuro Talks – mentorship, authenticity, and leading across generations.
🧭 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.