March 12, 2026

Perspectives: The Weight of War and Reclaiming Combat Agility

The United States Army is currently undergoing a transition and restructuring period, which historically occurs at the end of prolonged conflicts, such as World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Global War on Terror (GWOT). During this transition period, the U.S. Army seeks to, once again, modernize its force structure and conduct a thorough review of its doctrine. Many experienced combat leaders will inevitably retire or leave the military, creating a heavy reliance on doctrine and institutional learning to fill the gaps left by these experienced veterans. As the U.S. Army conducts force-modernization and doctrinal changes, an emphasis should be placed on combat agility regarding the mission-essential equipment soldiers are required to carry into combat. Over the last few decades, rucksacks, personal protective equipment, and vehicles have become increasingly larger and heavier, increasing the weight and bulkiness of a soldier's equipment. The increase in weight and bulk degrades the mobility, sustainability, and lethality of U.S. Army soldiers, as additional carried weight increases fatigue, elevates sustenance consumption, and significantly reduces their ability to maneuver quickly and over long distances on the battlefield. This article examines mobility, sustainability, and lethality, and it provides recommendations for consideration during the U.S. Army’s current transformation period.

Feb. 27, 2026

Beyond Words: Rethinking Language's Role in Special Operations

In an era characterized by complex global dynamics and multifaceted threats, the United States Special Operations Forces (SOF) 's ability to engage effectively across diverse environments is paramount. For decades, a central tenet of special operations has been the importance of cultural and regional expertise. The ability of SOF to build relationships, navigate complex social terrains, and operate below the level of armed conflict is foundational to their success. While this requires a deep understanding of the operational environment, the specific role of language proficiency within that understanding has become a subject of intense debate.

Jan. 7, 2026

Supporting the Army Special Operations Forces-Space-Cyberspace Triad: Selection Criteria for Army Space Officers Supporting U.S. Special Operations Command

The preponderance of special operations forces (SOF) missions requires non-SOF support. There is only one Army Space officer (Functional Area 40) at every theater special operations command (TSOC) and Special Forces Group (SFG). These officers have an outsized impact on what commanders and units of action can accomplish operationally, or when preparing units of action to deploy forward (organizing, training, and equipping). At a TSOC, developing and directing lines of effort against an adversary’s communications architecture demands as much analytical rigor as ensuring units of action are properly equipped and trained to successfully contribute to a TSOC’s campaign support plan. While the Army’s talent management system has made positive strides in recent years, screening Army Space officers for service at SFGs or TSOCs warrants additional scrutiny. The suggestions below are scoped to Army Space officers due to the backgrounds of the authors, but this model could be applied to other low-density jobs in SOF, such as cyberspace or electronic warfare.

Dec. 5, 2025

On Leadership: 10 Rules of the Road from Senior Army Leaders

For the past three decades, the Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage) have provided a constant guardrail for professional Soldiers as they navigate their careers. Yet, oftentimes we see Soldiers challenging, arguing against, or failing to adhere to these values in and out of uniform. Over the years, I've found that sticking to these precepts is often a recipe for a successful career. However, those who stray from the Army Values may need to reorient their compass and make a course correction, or they risk falling into legal, moral, or ethical problems.

Nov. 21, 2025

Military Culture Shift: The Impact of War, Money, and Generational Perspective on Morale, Retention, and Leadership by Corie Weathers

How often have you heard the phrase, “Today’s generation is so different?” With four generations of Americans serving across the joint force, a key challenge is the “messy dynamic” of leading and caring for them regardless of age, experience, or beliefs.

Nov. 20, 2025

Loitering Munitions in Modern Combat: Addressing Tactical Gaps at the Small Unit Level

In the dynamic landscape of modern warfare, the bedrock of U.S. special operations forces (SOF) has always been its unparalleled adaptability. Yet, as the character of conflict undergoes a quiet but profound revolution, there exists a critical vulnerability within the tactical small unit. The current gap within SOF units is the lack of an organic and expeditious package capable of conducting precision strikes and providing direct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Loitering munitions can address this gap.

Oct. 15, 2025

Perspectives: Realigning Joint Combined Exchange Training within the ARSOF Readiness Model

The Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) program, a longstanding cornerstone of U.S. special operations forces (USSOF) training, has faced tensions between the force provider components and the theater special operations commands (TSOCs). Per U.S. Code Title 10, Section 322, the primary purpose of JCETs is to train special operations forces. While JCETs can supplement TSOC theater campaign plans, they are often used as a convenient solution to achieve objectives outside the scope of training authorities. Therefore, the current sourcing and execution of JCETs are misaligned with the Army special operations forces’ readiness model.

Oct. 9, 2025

Perspectives: Special Operations Forces Value Proposition to the Conventional Force in Large Scale Combat Operations

To avoid fighting “the last war,” strategic planners have tried to characterize the next fight, particularly as it relates to optimizing conventional forces and special operations forces (SOF) to be adept at large-scale combat operations (LSCO). However, a clearly articulated vision or guidance on how to evolve has not been consistently communicated.

Sept. 10, 2025

Fractured Brotherhood: Suicide, Identity Loss, and the Crisis within U.S. Special Operations Forces

Throughout the years, the U.S. special operations community has suffered profound loss, both in combat and from within. The suicide epidemic among U.S. service members, particularly those within U.S. special operations forces (SOF), continues to challenge the Department of Defense, mental health professionals, and the foundations of our military culture. Each new death by suicide brings with it haunting echoes of a single, unanswerable question, “Why?” While numerous factors contribute to the elevated suicide rate in U.S. SOF, the most consequential and fundamental drivers are social isolation and loneliness resulting from the loss of community post-transition from military service.

Sept. 3, 2025

Perspectives: Optimizing Time and Task Prioritization for Special Forces Training and Education

The U.S. Army Special Forces Regiment faces a stark reality: too many training requirements and not enough time. This imbalance threatens operational readiness, forcing Special Forces Soldiers to juggle competing priorities while risking subpar performance in critical areas. To overcome this, the Regiment must adopt a focused, streamlined approach to training that prioritizes mission-essential tasks and mitigates the effects of overextension. Time is the most valuable resource. Without deliberate planning and prioritization, Special Forces Soldiers will be ill-prepared for the challenges of modern warfare.