Forewords
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United States Army, the Chief of Staff
June 21, 2024
I owe a debt to Captain David Johnson. Though I’ve never met him, he taught then-Captain George to run a training meeting. His “Training Management Tips” article—full of practical advice—landed on my desk in the June 1992 issue of Infantry. As that article helped me, our journals strengthen and prepare the Army today.
Our Army must be ready when this interwar period ends. As we cannot know where or when we will face our next battles, we must transform, train hard, and reinvest in our profession now. Vibrant intellectual discourse helps the Army identify, debate, and refine the best ideas into fielded forces, equipment, and concepts.
Fortunately, good ideas don’t have rank. On unit visits, I hear all kinds of ideas that could strengthen our profession. If your idea can improve our Army, write it down. The articles in this special issue can help you hone your idea in your unit and then submit it for publication through our journals. Your leaders will help you; the Army’s senior leaders will steward a supportive culture. Not all articles will be published or change the Army, but our profession relies on your contributions.
I ask that you write and publish well-argued articles in our journals. Where rigid conformity has defeated other armies, your responsibly written dissent strengthens the Army profession and postures us for victory on future fields of battle.
This We’ll Defend!
Sincerely,
Randy A. George
General, United States Army
United States Army, the Sergeant Major
June 21, 2024
The next fight will be hard. Success or failure is in our own hands and depends on our ability to prepare. The enemy will give us no grace if we fail to learn or adapt quickly.
No one is closer to the Army’s problems than our Non-Commissioned Officer Corps. Day in and day out you are the closest to the fight and take care of our Soldiers. This leadership comes with the professional obligation to share what you have learned with the next generation of Soldiers. Your insights, ideas, and experiences are critical to winning the next battle. Many Soldiers think professional discourse, primarily writing, is officer business—false.
None of our NCOs should have a problem telling another Soldier when they need to check their azimuth. We should have the same resolve when stewarding the profession. Discuss, research, write, debate, articulate, and present your ideas. This special issue is designed to help you get started.
You have the answers—we need to hear them, the next war depends on it.
This We’ll Defend!
Sincerely,
Michael R. Weimer
Sergeant Major of the Army
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