Writing Kills Lazy Arguments

The Army’s Multi-Verse

We’ve all been there, whether it’s the motor pool, staff offices, or a field environment. It’s the place where frustration and unfilled time spark repetitive complaints about how the Army needs to fix something. I’m sure you’ve heard some version of these before:

· “The EFMP process is broken…”

· “Soldiers should be paid more…”

· “The alternate events for the ACFT suck…”

· “We should build an Army large language model…”

· “The Army needs to rethink its social media approach…”

Photo courtesy of SGM DeJesus.

Many of these complaints sound great in the moment. Our passionate arguments reverberate among our peers and are often met with little resistance. But what happens next? Usually nothing. The adrenaline fades, and we move out to the next mission or task.

Often, these same complaints reappear, just in a different motor pool, staff office, or field environment. Somewhere in a land far away, other leaders are discussing the same gripes and ideas in a parallel, multi-verse-like Army.

Writing Clears the Path for Real Solutions

These conversations are happening every week across our Army. But if we truly want change, we have to invest the time, energy, and focus to transform complaints into valid arguments.

Spewing hot takes every Monday in the motor pool isn’t changing anything, but writing about them can. When we write, we organize our thoughts, conduct research, solicit feedback, and kill lazy arguments. Writing increases the maximum effective range of our voice, as articulated by COL Andrew Morgado, The Max Effective Range of Your Voice.

Those complaints you’re discussing with peers after a two-hour command and staff briefing? They’re not traveling anywhere. But when you write about them, those same arguments and ideas have the potential to reach thousands of key leaders across the Army, including the Chief of Staff and Sergeant Major of the Army.

Writing Works Better When People Read It

We’ve all heard the phrase: leaders are readers. And it sounds great. But how much of our formations are actually reading?

If you’ve found this article, you’re likely a leader who regularly engages with our Army branch journals. There are some incredible articles on the Line of Departure, Line of Departure Home.

I challenge you to share these articles, integrate them into your leadership development programs, and spark meaningful discussions about the issues Soldiers across our Army are writing about.

Let’s revisit those frequent complaints from earlier, because articles have already been written about all of them:

· “The EFMP process is broken…”

o The Case for EFMP Reform: A Soldier’s Perspective and Solutions

· “Soldiers should be paid more…”

o Money Isn’t Everything

· “The alternate events for the ACFT suck…”

o Rethinking the ACFT Alternate Cardio Events

· “We should build an Army large language model…”

o Digitalize Your Brain

· “The Army needs to rethink its social media approach…”

o Beyond the Scroll

Publishing an article requires commitment, effort, and courage. I ask that our leaders take the time to read, discuss, and share these critical ideas across their formations.

Writing kills lazy arguments, and reading military articles truly makes our Army better.