The Friday Formation
30 January 2026
🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing, leadership, and learning from every front
23 January 2026
🗓️ Editor’s Note
This is a week about judgment.
Not the kind exercised with perfect information or unlimited time—but the kind developed through uncertainty, scrutiny, and sustained pressure. Throughout this week’s readings, leaders face investigations, automation challenges, logistics bottlenecks, air defense endurance issues, mentorship, and the moral weight of command.
A common theme emerges: systems may speed up war, but judgment stays human.
Institutions last not because of their tools, but because of people who are willing to think clearly, act ethically, and take responsibility when the outcomes are uncertain.
This approach embraces that reality. These pieces focus less on providing answers and more on how professionals make decisions, adapt, and keep going.
If I missed something worth sharpening the force, send it my way.
Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
Making the Call: Military Intelligence, Judgment, and Command – Podcast
Host: Joe Byerly | Guest: LTG Tony Hale
A masterclass on decision-making when information is incomplete and consequences are real. Hale reframes intelligence as an aid—not a substitute—for commander judgment.
Combat-Tested Integrated Defense: What Ukraine and Israel Reveal About Endurance Under Air Attack – Sarah Fainberg, Yuval Peleg, Tomer Fadlon
Examines civil-military integration, resilience, and national endurance under sustained attack.
When Automation Accelerates War, Identity Determines Victory – Jerae Perez
Argues that culture, legitimacy, and identity—not algorithms—ultimately decide outcomes.
Clausewitz and the American Center of Gravity – David Maxwell
A timely revisit of strategic fundamentals amid conceptual drift.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
Wargames Keep Warning Us About Congested Logistics—It’s Time to Take Action – Katherine Welch
We already know the problem. This piece challenges leaders to close the gap between insight and execution.
LOGSTAT: Black Ammunition, Green Forecasting – Podcast
Host: CPT Garett Pyle | Guest: LTC Mikhail “MJ” Jackson
A grounded discussion on forecasting, sustainment realism, and decision-making under resource constraints.
PLA Navy & Marine Corps Tank Companies Emphasize Expeditionary Capabilities – Joaquin Camerena
A reminder that competitors are adapting force structure with intent and urgency.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
Finding the Signal Within the Noise – Douglas Wilbur
Human pattern recognition still matters—especially in contested information environments.
What’s in a Narrative? – LTC Matthew J. Fontaine
Narratives are not accessories to operations—they are operational terrain.
Chasing True AI Autonomy – Vitaliy Goncharuk
Explores how organizational mindset—not technology—often limits adaptation.
Data, Deterrence, and Diplomacy – Podcast
A discussion on how data literacy increasingly shapes strategic competition.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
To My Fellow Subjects of Investigations – Danita Darby
A powerful reflection on trust, vulnerability, and leadership inside large institutions.
Are You My Mentor? – COL Andrew Morgado
A reminder that mentorship is not transactional—it is relational, intentional, and earned.
The Third Lawyer – CPT John F. Kirk
Professional identity, ethical counsel, and responsibility in complex organizations.
Difficult Conversations – Golba et al.
Why disciplined dialogue remains a core leadership skill.
📖 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
Short reflection: To My Fellow Subjects of Investigations
Deep read: When Automation Accelerates War, Identity Determines Victory
Listen while commuting: Making the Call – LTG Tony Hale
🧭 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.