The Tactical and the Textual

A Cadet’s Lesson in Leadership

The day before I headed to Camp Buckner for Cadet Field Training (CFT), an unexpected email landed in my inbox: a last-minute opportunity to join the "Writing Matters" Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) in Washington, D.C. “Writing Matters” was an academic development opportunity sponsored by West Point’s Stokes Fellows Program—a specialized program designed to give cadets advanced experience in writing during their time at the academy. A month and a half later, three other cadets and I packed ourselves into a rental car to go speak with some of the best writers in the Army. Unsure of what I had gotten myself into, the unfamiliar felt strangely familiar—like stumbling through the dark in CFT with NVGs. I was uncertain whether I'd emerge successful or end up knee-deep in a swamp.

This time, instead of learning about ambushes or tactical movements, I was learning how the Army wages war with one of its more subtle, unexpected weapons: words. Over the next two weeks, I learned that professional writing is not just a bureaucratic task, but essential for military leadership and mission success. A leader must be as proficient in written communication as they are in tactical execution, as effective communication goes beyond mere instruction, forming the backbone of operational success for the Army.

In fairness to my other training as a cadet, professional communication is already a central part of field training. For instance, CFT demanded I lead under communicative pressure, ensuring every word mattered- whether briefing a team before a patrol or assigning sectors of fire during a mission. Therefore, my priorities were focused on my technical and tactical skills and the verbal communication required to achieve success in a field environment, rather than becoming a stronger writer. Time spent meticulously crafting an email or memo felt like time diverted from more ‘tangible’ military skills like marksmanship or tactical maneuvers. Writing seemed like an afterthought- relegated to after-action reviews or academic essays. However, my perspective was about to change.

Photo courtesy of CDT Arengo

During my AIAD, I had the opportunity to speak with senior officers and government leaders who utilize professional writing skills daily. Yet, as a cadet, it can be challenging to understand how professional writing is intertwined with successful leadership, since much of our writing is for academic purposes. However, a day spent at the Pentagon talking with two West Point graduates whose work is centered on professional writing provided a valuable perspective that helped me connect the two aspects. They shared their experiences as cadets, highlighting the challenges and successes encountered during their transition to being officers. Their stories, combined with the reality of the work they currently perform, underscored just how crucial it is to develop strong writing skills and become just as capable of writing as I am in my core competencies and field-level execution. Their experiences proved how writing is not just paperwork but rather a strategic tool that translates complex plans into actionable orders, aligning units across the battlefield.

On another day at the Pentagon, one senior officer recounted a critical moment where his ability to confidently and strategically portray goals through writing made the difference in getting his message through to the generals above him. His success relied on a single document, which held the power to affect troops at large. The senior officer emphasized how such a moment hammered home the military principle that unclear writing doesn't just waste time, it endangers lives. CFT taught me how miscommunication in a combat scenario could lead to a mission failure, but the idea that writing itself could have an even larger impact was a new concept to me. What I didn't fully grasp was how leadership depends equally on written communication as it does on the ability to perform warrior tasks and drills and to deliver motivation. Yet, orders, plans, and intent are often delivered through formats requiring the same clarity and precision as a shouted command in the field.

The "Writing Matters" AIAD transformed my perspective on military professionalism. Where I once saw the lessons learned in CFT as the primary crucible of leadership, I now understand that writing is just as critical to mission success. Writing embodies the Army's values of duty and expertise, enabling leaders to communicate with precision in an increasingly complicated world. It empowers informed decision-making, from cadets writing essays to generals shaping national strategy. The experience taught me that writing is not a soft skill but a force multiplier that amplifies a leader's effectiveness across all domains of warfare. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to participate in the "Writing Matters" AIAD as I now understand that true military professionalism requires the dual mastery of both the tactical and the textual, a lesson I will carry with me from the field to the front lines.