Welcome back to this month’s Military Journals – Land Warfare edition. As I work my way through the various journals, I do so looking for what stands out as worthy of this curated post, but all too often find myself immersed in a wide array of articles and books that are both insightful and educational, and lose all track of time. What begins as a quick scan usually turns into several hours of reading. This month was no different.
In our first Military Journals – Land Warfare post, Dave focused on the Secretary of War’s emphasis on lethality. This month, however, a different theme emerged: adaptation. Whether at the tactical, operational, or strategic level, military organizations must continually assess, learn, and adjust. This applies to professional development as well. A problem-solving mindset, professional credibility, rational risk-taking, and a willingness to innovate and think anew are all essential to maintaining battlefield advantage.
With that theme in mind, I settled on two articles and two book reviews. The first examines how current Ukrainian combat use of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle can challenge established Army doctrinal use, providing meaningful feedback to rethink accepted practices. The second looks at the Army’s rocket artillery and approaches adaptation from a less glamorous but critical perspective: sustainment and the ability to support large-scale combat operations.
The two book reviews broaden the discussion, one a case study about strategy and the other about professional development. The first revisits the lessons of Dien Bien Phu and considers their relevance to contemporary warfare. The other examines Eisenhower’s formative years and the experiences that prepared him for high command, raising enduring questions about leadership development and professional preparation. I’ve now added two more books to my growing list of must-reads!
That is enough from me. We invite your thoughts on these articles and books. In the meantime, settle in and enjoy the reading.
