Oct. 2, 2025

Perspectives from the Force: No More Hot-Dogging

Integrity, esprit de corps, and disciplined conduct will be necessary to ensure the Army’s readiness, cohesion, and ability to face threats effectively in future large-scale combat operations. Sometimes, in our drive to anticipate and prepare for this future, we overlook the invaluable lessons of the past. Some of those lessons were earned in blood; others were instilled in us due to the impact of transformational leaders. Within the Army special operations community, one such leader was Col. Charles Fry, a pioneer and legend within Special Forces. Col. Fry instilled a spirit of quiet professionalism in a generation of Green Berets. As our army anticipates the future battlefield and undergoes a period of transformation to prepare for the challenges ahead, Col. Fry’s words echo through time reminding us of our duty to the profession and to each other.