Your Weekend Reading Assignment: Meet Your New Harding Fellow

Please welcome CPT Tommy Souimaniphanh to the Harding Project!

As the son of a first-generation Laotian immigrant, I am deeply influenced by my family's significant contributions to this nation. My father’s career as a dedicated intelligence officer, my grandfather’s service during the Vietnam War, and my four siblings’ commitments to this country have all shaped my own path of service. Their legacy has instilled in me a profound sense of duty, leading me to follow suit as a scholar-warrior-leader—a role I embrace with the utmost respect for my family's history. I have been married to my wife, Doreen, for nine years, and we are the proud parents of two children, Jacob (9) and Leah (7). Our children serve as vital sources of encouragement and support following demanding days at work.

A poignant memory of the 2000 presidential election, where both father and son engaged in a thoughtful game of predicting the winning states, is a powerful reminder of the intellectual curiosity that drives my journey. My time at Norwich University was marked by an insatiable interest in learning. I spent most of my time reading, researching, and analyzing information, driven by a deep desire to understand today's current events. My fascination during Political Science classes, interactions with scholars and professors, and weekly engagements with my brigade commander, COL Jaron Wharton, all played a significant role in my intellectual development and further fueled my thirst for knowledge.

Photo courtesy of CPT Souimaniphanh.

One early morning before PT formation, I received an email from COL Wharton in which he informed me that applications for the next cohort of Harding Fellows were open. Knowing that I had a passion for reading and writing, COL Wharton encouraged me to apply for this fellowship. I am indebted to him for his positive influence on me and my career.

As a junior armor officer, I served in various positions within the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment "Blackhorse" at Fort Irwin, California. As part of the Opposing Force (OPFOR), I spent 36 months preparing the Army's fighting force for potential deployments. During my tenure as a mechanized infantry and heavy weapons platoon leader, I became exposed to understanding the science of Large-Scale Combat Operations. After completing the Military Intelligence Captain's Career Course, I was assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, "Panther Brigade," of the 82nd Airborne Division. Two months after my arrival, our brigade was activated as the Immediate Response Force and deployed to Europe days before Russia invaded Ukraine. While overseas, I was fortunate to work alongside Allied nations – enhancing my understanding of the challenges associated with interoperability at the tactical and operational levels. During these early days of the Ukrainian conflict, I invested my free time analyzing battles such as the Battle of Antonov Airport.

After 18 months as a battalion S2, I assumed the role of company commander for 3/82's Military Intelligence Company. During this pivotal time, I witnessed the wealth of ideas and knowledge among fellow Soldiers. This experience inspired me to encourage others to capture their thoughts on paper, whether related to today's evolving technologies, adjusting to the Army's Modernization efforts, or refining tactics, techniques, and procedures. My unwavering belief in the value of diverse perspectives among Soldiers is a testament to my commitment to encouraging professional writing within our formations.

Captain Souimaniphanh is a Military Intelligence Officer and serves as the G2 Operations Officer within the 82nd Airborne Division.