🪖 The Friday Formation
This week’s dispatch on Army writing & leadership
19 September 2025
Editor’s Note
This week’s selections span leadership, irregular warfare, armor, air defense, intelligence, and sustainment. Together they highlight the importance of building lethal teams, delivering ready combat power, transforming continuously, and strengthening the profession of arms. If I missed something, let me know—I’ll add it in next week. And remember: professional writing is how we sharpen ideas before the fight.
- Chris
⚔️ Warfighting
The Power of Patience – CPT Benjamin L. Kenneaster (From the Green Notebook)
Explores how patience shapes effective leadership and decision-making under pressure.The Walls We Build – LTC (Ret.) Joe Byerly (From the Green Notebook)
A reflection on the barriers leaders create—intentionally or not—and their impact on trust and influence.Urban Warfare Project Case Study 14: Operation Cast Lead – Liam Collins & John Spencer (Modern War Institute)
Analyzes lessons from Israeli operations in Gaza with enduring insights for urban warfare.Irregular Solutions for Irregular Threats: Maritime Lessons from Dutch Counterpiracy – Pieter W.G. Zhao (Irregular Warfare Initiative)
Draws historical lessons from Dutch counterpiracy in Indonesia to inform maritime irregular warfare today.Economic Legal Warfare Project – Matthew Flug, Tom Johansmeyer & Patrick Sweeney (Irregular Warfare Initiative)
Explores how economic and legal instruments can shape irregular competition.
🎧 Podcasts
Ep. 159 – Army Directive 2025-18 – SMA Michael Weimer with SGM Urzua & SGM Brady (From the Green Notebook Podcast)
A discussion on Army Directive 2025-18 and its implications for Soldiers across the force.The Spear – Recovering a Downed Marine in Afghanistan – Capt. Sal Sferrazza (guest), Charles Faint (host) (MWI Podcast)
A firsthand account of courage, decision-making, and recovery under fire.
🔧 Delivering Ready Combat Power
FY24 NDAA’s SHORAD Gap – 1LT Alexander Philip Mosher (Air Defense Artillery Journal)
Discusses how legislation shapes the Army’s ability to close short-range air defense gaps.Air Defense for All – CPT Peter Clifton (Air Defense Artillery Journal)
Argues that integrated air defense is no longer specialized—it’s everyone’s fight.
🎧 Podcasts
LOGSTAT: Advancements and Impacts of Autonomous Capabilities – CPT Garett Pyle & COL William Arnold (Podcast)
Explores how autonomous systems are reshaping sustainment and logistics.
🔄 Continuous Transformation
Tanks Designed for Urban Combat – Michael McCabe (Armor Journal)
Proposes design adaptations for armored vehicles to thrive in dense urban battlefields.Lessons from Allied Spirit 22 – MAJ Christopher M. Perrone (Armor Journal)
Insights from multinational training that underscore interoperability and readiness.Blocked and Bloodied – CPT Austin Bajc (Armor Journal)
A cautionary tale about the consequences of poor planning in armored operations.The Market Knows Best – Stephen P. Ferris & Raymond M. Ferris (MIPB)
Examines how market principles can inform intelligence and defense resource allocation.Reclaiming Strategic Imagination – CPT Nader Z. Badran (MIPB)
Calls for innovation and imagination in military intelligence to outpace adversaries.U.S. Base in Ecuador – Maj. Abdón I. Garay-Briones (Military Review Online Exclusive)
Analyzes strategic implications of basing agreements and host-nation relations.
🎧 Podcasts
U.S. Relations with Africa and the New Cold War – Stephanie Crider (host), Hamid Lellou & Dr. Amin Tarzi (SSI Podcast)
A dialogue on Africa’s role in global competition and U.S. strategic interests.
📜 Strengthening the Profession of Arms
Someone is Always Watching: The Lasting Impact of Quiet Leadership – CPT Allie (Lycan) Ronske (Military Mentors)
Explores how consistent, quiet leadership builds lasting influence.Corrections Command – CPT Joshua I. Bogle & SSG Caitlin E. Sias (Military Police Journal)
Examines the often-overlooked but critical role of corrections in military policing.Empathy – Mounir Bouchareb, Janetta Harris & Bernard F. Harris, PhD (Army Civilian Journal)
Highlights how empathy strengthens leadership and workplace culture.The Case for Civilian Deployment – Garry Christman (Army Civilian Journal)
Argues for integrating civilian expertise into deployments.Blended Learning – Olga Williams (Army Civilian Journal)
Advocates for blended learning models to modernize Army education.
📖 Resources & Calls
🧰 Weekend Loadout
Quick Read: The Power of Patience – leadership in practice.
Deep Dive: U.S. Relations with Africa and the New Cold War – strategic competition in Africa.
Must-Listen: Ep. 159 – Army Directive 2025-18 – senior enlisted leaders on policy change.
🧭 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.
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