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A Staff Officer’s Guide to the Galaxy

Hunter Whitney

Far out in the backwaters of an unfashionable end of the western spiral arm of the universe lies a small, unregarded door. Behind it lies an utterly insignificant office whose occupants still …

Leadership, Presence, and the Perception You Carry

Jakob Hutter

You’ve likely heard or used the saying, “Perception is reality.” In leadership, perception isn’t just about appearance, but how others perceive your actions, often in …

Yes, Clausewitz Still Matters for Today’s Lieutenants

Noah Jager

With modern conflict exposing the impact of drones, precision-guided munitions, and real-time intelligence, it can be tempting for young officers to believe that modern conflict …

Working the Marketplace, Not Hoping for It

Robert Beyer

The talent marketplace process is inherently exciting, as it allows officers to exert an unprecedented amount of control over their future assignments. However, the lack …

Video Adaptation FM 1: The Army – A Primer to Our Profession of Arms

Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate

FM-1 The U.S. Army Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate released a cinematic adaptation of Field Manual 1, The Army: A Primer to Our Profession of Arms. The video is available …

Talent Management at Echelon: People are the Platform

David A. Beaumont

The U.S. Army invests in equipment, networks, and doctrine to maintain a competitive advantage against its adversaries. But those are not the most important factors; …

JAG: A Junior Leader’s Guide

Gage Dabin

Who are we? As Army Judge Advocates or “JAs”, we are fully licensed attorneys – meaning we graduated from law school and are licensed to practice law. For most JAs, …

Inside Recruiting Company Command: Leadership Beyond the Numbers

Tanner Cook

In the Army’s ‘War for Talent,’ a common misconception persists among peers: that a recruiting company command is a ‘tactical pause’ spent managing spreadsheets rather …

The Major’s Burden: Building Teams, Systems, and Leaders

Kyle F. McCarter

The promotion to major arrives like the best things in the Army: with ceremony, congratulations, and a quiet panic that sets in around 3 a.m. the night before assuming a …

Learning the Right Lessons in the UAS Fight

Michael Carvelli

The U.S. Army is gripped by a specific kind of fear. We watch video footage from YouTube showing Ukrainian and Russian drone attacks. We see a technological gap widening faster …

Coach, Mentor, Sponsor: Why the Difference Matters

Delonte Monk

As a second lieutenant, I was eager to prove myself and quick to label anyone who said something helpful as a “mentor.” Fast-forward to my initial counseling in my first …

Joint Logistics and the Best Ways to Make Coffee

Melissa A. Czarnogursky

Lessons from a Company Grade Officer on Deployed Joint Staff “You know how to spell joint, right? A-R-M-Y.” During my first few weeks working in the United States Central Command …

How Canceling PT Made Me the Officer I am Today

Erik Davis

This isn’t a story about skipping PT. The head of our ROTC program caught me flat footed when I’d been one of a handful of cadets who had campaigned for …

Diamond in the Swamp

Seth Lynn

The Value of Serving as an Observer, Coach, and Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center For officers who know the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) only through experiences as …

Army Junior Officer Counsel: Drive Tomorrow’s Solutions, Today

Chris Slininger

The Challenge and Opportunity Last year, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Randy George, challenged the force to prioritize its focus and only do what makes the Army …

Under One Flag: Multinational Lessons in Leading During Freedom Shield 25

Benjamin Backsmeier (U.S. Army) and George Lynch-Staunton (British Army) September 25, 2025 The following are hard-earned lessons we hope will serve as guideposts for junior …

For the Prospective Ranger Student – A Philosophy for Success

Jacob Woodruff

04 September 2025 Jacob Woodruff To the Future Ranger Student: The fabled 62-day crucible known as United States Army Ranger School is infamous for its grueling nature and high washout …

4 Essential Behaviors for Building Trust

CPT Jakob Hutter - 21 July 2025

Sincerity. Reliability. Competence. Care. No matter your role as a company-grade officer, trust is foundational to a team’s success. Trust connects a leader’s intent to …

Going Off Script, But Staying on Track: A Career Guide for Junior Leaders

COL Chaveso "Chevy" Cook - Published 10 July 2025

Intro I walked into LTC Tomi King’s office as a new 2LT in his formation. We discussed all the normal talking points in that initial counseling – family, where I …

Fighting as an Enabler Leader

LTC Michael Carvelli - 30 June 2025

(U.S. Army Photo by Cpl. Tomarius Roberts, courtesy of DVIDS) Enablers provide capabilities to commanders that they either do not have on their own or do not have in sufficient …

Defeating the Drone – From JMRC’s “Skynet Platoon”

CPT Joshua Cox, SSG Samuel Gordon, and SSG Eric Navarro

If you can be seen, you can be killed—and a $7 drone might be all it takes. JMRC's Skynet Platoon discuss their TTPs to defeat the drone.

3 Deployments Before Captain: Reflections From Down Range

1LT Melissa Czarnogursky - Published 05 June 25

Deployments challenge junior officers beyond their primary duties, often demanding adaptability, wellness management, proactive leadership, and moral integrity maintenance.

Check the Box or Check Your Compass

MSG Albert Keever

MSG Albert Keever explains how ethical fading erodes integrity and offers tools for junior leaders to strengthen ethical decision-making.

Leadership at Zero Meters: Combatives for Building Lethal Teams

CPT Dylan Van Sickell - Published 15 May 25

U.S forces close with and destroy the enemy. But how close? One kilometer, 300 meters, hand grenade range? How about close enough to hear your enemy’s last words?

Stop the Reading Lists: Why Leaders Need More Than Just Books

MAJ Sara Roger - Published 9 May 25

Junior Officers need more than reading lists. Reading is a tool, but not the only one—leaders grow through thinking, reflecting, experiencing, and engaging with others in meaningful ways.

Alone and Unafraid: Mission Command in INDOPACOM – CSA Article of May 2025

1LT Reilly Rudolph - Published Feb 25, 2025

An Engineer Platoon Leader recounts lessons in decentralized leadership and mission command in INDOPACOM - Published Feb 25, 2025

In All Things, Moderation: A Philosophy for Leaders

CPT Jay Carmody - Published 22 APR 25

Captain Carmody champions a philosophy of moderation for Army leaders. Through moderation, leaders can avoid the burnout of extremes, make wiser decisions, and model balanced, …

In SOF – Relationships Reign Supreme

CPT Nicholas Keyes - Published 16 MAR 25

A Civil Affairs officer reflects on a recent deployment to Syria and how the relationships he built and maintained led to his success.

Authentic Mentorship – Buzzwords to Breakthroughs

MAJ Shawn Robertson - Published 3 APR 25

Forget quick fixes—authentic mentorship demands vulnerability, patience, and trust, pushing mentors and mentees beyond comfort zones toward true growth.

Plato’s Republic and the Profession of Arms – Cadet to Officer

CDT Sarah Cao - Published 27MAR25

A USMA Senior Cadet and Rhodes Scholar, reflects on her upcoming transition from Cadet to Officer through the lens of Plato’s Republic.

Leadership Camouflage – CSA Article of January 2025

MAJ Shawn Robertson - Published Nov 18, 2024

The most effective leaders understand how to change their wardrobe to fit the environment they serve. Today’s leaders must wear camouflage.

Navigating Suicide in Your Unit: Reflections as a Company Commander

CPT Victor Littleton - Published Jan 24, 2025

A Company Commander reflects on navigating a Soldier's suicide and discusses resources and best practices for leaders to get their units through this type of tragedy.

Continuation Pay – Planning For 2025 and beyond

Erin Williams

UPDATED JAN2025 - Did you know – if you are in the Blended Retirement System (BRS), you’re eligible for a mid-career bonus that is worth 2.5x your monthly base pay?! …

“Being All You Can Be” with the Army Coaching Program

MAJ Jesse Bryant - Published Dec 19, 2024

The Army Coaching Program offers a critical, but underutilized, advantage in maintaining the Army’s enduring competitive leadership advantage.

Dual Military: How to be Successful

COL Kate Conkey & COL Nate Conkey - Published Mar 31, 2021

Two Army Colonel's discuss how they've been able to navigate service as dual-military officers.

Whatcha Gonna Do PL?

COL Erik Davis

Being a junior officer is very much about learning. But just because you're junior, doesn't mean you don't know anything.

After Veterans Day – Leadership in Transition

Brigadier General (ret) Mike Eastman

A focus on transition not only builds a better force today, but it contributes to a stronger Army tomorrow. There is no better recruiter than a successful Army Veteran.

1000 Days In – Junior Officers and the Ukraine-Russia Conflict – Continued Learning Part Two

MAJ Nick Rich and CPT Christopher Aliperti

As the 1000-day mark of the major Russian invasion of Ukraine approaches, Junior Officers must continue to integrate the lessons learned from this conflict into their training.

The Eisenhower Matrix – Tools for Junior Leaders

Jakob Hutter

CPT Jakob Hutter discusses how junior leaders in the U.S. Army can use the "Eisenhower Matrix" as a prioritization tool to optimize performance.

Killing Complacency – For The Next Fight

J.H. Edmonds

J.H. Edmonds, a U.S. Army Artillery Officer, discusses how junior leaders can kill complacency to prepare our Army for the next fight

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