The Operational Arch

In this episode of the Operational Arch, Major we welcome Dr. James Greer, an expert in operational art, military design, and leader development with over 30 years of Army service. We discuss the concept of convergence within Army doctrine, as outlined in FM 3-0, emphasizing its differences from past doctrines such as the AirLand Battle. Dr. Greer provides insights into how convergence involves accumulated effects over time against systems, formations, and decision-makers across multiple domains, rather than mere synchronization. He also addresses the need for doctrinal clarity and the importance of understanding the science of warfare. Examples from the Ukraine conflict highlight practical applications of convergence. The discussion concludes with advice for listeners on the importance of continual teaching and learning within the military profession.01:25 Defining Convergence in Army Doctrine02:05 Historical Context of Army Doctrine05:27 Understanding Convergence as an Outcome05:50 Challenges and Misconceptions in Convergence07:14 Examples and Applications of Convergence15:23 Barriers to Achieving Convergence22:15 Future of Convergence in Military Operations35:20 Practical Steps for Implementing Convergence00:22 Final Thoughts and Advice in Military Operations35:20 Practical Steps for Implementing Convergence00:22 Final Thoughts and Advice

Dr. Peter Mansoor, retired Army Colonel and professor of military history at the Ohio State University, joins the Operational Arch to discuss his new book, Redemption: MacArthur in the Campaign for the Philippines (Cambridge University Press, August 2025), which covers the arc of MacArthur's controversial return to the Philippines, providing both a master class and cautionary tale on the application of operational art. The group covers a wide variety of topics including theater logistics, the incorporation of friendly guerilla forces, organizational leadership, joint operations, and strategic decision-making.

Dr. Scott Gorman, director of the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program at SAMS, joins the Operational Arch to discuss the complexities of civil-military relations and the nuances of providing best military advice. The conversation touches on the importance of the military being politically informed rather than partisan and the critical nature of maintaining trust and dialogue between military and civilian leaders.

Mr. Peter Wood joins the Operational Arch to deep dive into China's counter-intervention strategy. This episode explores how this strategy fits into China's broader military doctrine as well as examining the nuances of China's approach to regional and global strategic competition.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Tony Aguto discusses the US-NATO partnership, the importance of multinational collaboration, and the role of strategic military planning in modern warfare. He highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by national caveats, interoperability issues, and the rapid adaptation required on today’s battlefield, particularly in light of lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Aguto emphasizes the changing nature of air superiority, the need for improved command and control systems, and the balance between mass production and modularity in military technology. He underscores the critical thinking skills of SAMS graduates in solving complex problems and urges planners to be adaptable, collaborative, and ready for unforeseen challenges in coalition and joint operations.

COL Estee Pinchasin joins the show to share about her time as Commander of the Baltimore District of the Corps of Engineers and the role she played during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024. COL Pinchasin discusses her experience during this crisis and draws out several key lessons from the incident. These lessons include the importance of collaboration, pre-established agreements, and maintaining a collaborative environment to handle complex interagency operations effectively.

Jennifer Dunn and Scott Pettigrew from the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) G2 Operational Environment Integration Directorate join the podcast and delve into the concept of the transparent battlefield—a high-tech environment characterized by ubiquitous multi-domain sensors, deception, jamming, and camouflage in modern warfare. They discuss challenges posed by China’s advanced ISR capabilities and the implications for U.S. military strategies, citing the ongoing Russo-Ukraine conflict and its lessons on adaptation, electronic warfare, and operational surprise.

Dr. Jacob Stoil, an expert on the Israel/Hamas conflict, joins the Operational Arch to reflect on the opening of the conflict one year ago. This is the third and final installment of a multi-episode run discussing the start of the war and the lessons that the United States should be learning from it. Check out The Israel & Hamas Conflict w/Dr. Stoil Part 1 (E33), released on November 15, 2024, and The Israel & Hamas Conflict w/Dr. Stoil Part 2 (E36), released January 1, 2025, to catch up on the conversation.

Dr. Jacob Stoil, an expert on the Israel/Hamas conflict, joins the Operational Arch to reflect on the opening of the conflict one year ago. This is the second installment of a multi-episode run discussing the start of the war and the lessons that the United States should be learning from it. Check out The Israel & Hamas Conflict w/Dr. Stoil Part 1 (E33) released on November 15, 2024 to catch up on the conversation.

Colonel (retired) Kevin Benson joins us to discuss the campaign planning efforts for Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and the initial invasion of Iraq in 2002. His experiences are captured in his recently published book Expectation of Valor: Planning for the Iraq War.

GEN (retired) Vince Brooks, former Commanding General of US Forces-Korea and US Army Pacific, joins us to discuss the value of SAMS in preparing senior military leaders for strategic engagements across the globe.

Dr. Jacob Stoil, an expert on the Israel/Hamas conflict, joins the Operational Arch to reflect on the opening of the conflict one year ago. This is the first installment of a multi-episode run discussing the start of the war and the lessons that the United States should be learning from it.Dr. Stoil is also the Chair of Applied History at West Point Modern War Institute, an Associate Professor of Military History at the US Army School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), Senior Fellow of 40th ID Urban Warfare Center, Assistant Director of the Second World War Research Group (North America), and Trustee of the US Commission on Military History, and a founding member of the International Working Group on Subterranean Warfare. Dr. Stoil received his doctorate in History from the University of Oxford. He holds a BA in War Studies and an MA in History of Warfare from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London.

Rear Admiral (RET) Matthew Bell and Dr. Christine Duprow, both with the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, Anchorage, Alaska, discuss the unique security challenges in the Arctic and what considerations operational planners need to take into account when planning and executing Arctic operations.

MG David Doyle, 4ID Commanding General, and Command Sergeant Major Alex Kupratty join the Season 3 podcast team for their season debut to discuss human capital management, organizational culture, and preparing for multi-domain operations. They also discuss 4ID’s upcoming MDO Symposium – for more information go to https://qrcc.io/sjeyouwlcfqa.

COL Andrew Morgado, Director of the US School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS), joins the Season 2 Operational Arch podcast team on their season finale to discuss how SAMS develops joint leaders, the impacts SAMS has on global security challenges, and operational art.

Dr. Nick Prime, Associate Professor at the School of Advanced Military Studies focuses on the maritime domain and the impacts of Naval theorists such as Alfred Mahan, Julian Corbett, JC Wylie, and Bernard Brodie as they relate to strategy and operational art. Henry Eccles: Logistics in the National Defense https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2927937-logistics-in-the-national-defense Hew Strachan: The Direction of War: Contemporary Strategy in Historical Perspective https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/18555040

In today's episode we speak with Lt Col Amos Fox about attrition as an effect of war, not as a type of war, and why there doesn't appear to be any "modern" military theorists. Article Discussed: https://warontherocks.com/2024/01/setting-the-record-straight-on-attrition/ Suggestions for Additional Listening/Reading: Thinking In Systems: A Primer: Donella H. Meadows https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3828902-thinking-in-systems The Scientific Way Of Warfare: Order and Chaos on the Battlefields of Modernity: Antoine J. Bousquet https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6576413-the-scientific-way-of-warfare Amos Fox's Upcoming or Recent Writings: Revolution in Military Affairs Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/63ZhWg6UUWUiTNEfSknGzF?si=fe1ef17606c4420d De Gruyter Handbook of Drone Warfare, Book Chapter https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/204879648-de-gruyter-handbook-of-drone-warfare https://twitter.com/AmosFox6 https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoscfox/

In this episode we discuss the role of a commander integrating the staff solving complex problems, fostering collaborative organizations, and utilizing components two and three with Lieutenant General Jon Jensen, director of the Army National Guard. Book Recommendations: If You Survive: From Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge to the End of World War II, One American Officer's Riveting True Story: George Wilson - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/227026.If_You_Survive Lieutenant General Herbert R. Temple, Jr., ARNGUS, Retired [interview] From Texas to Rome: Fighting World War II and the Italian Campaign with the 36th Infantry Division - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22854737-from-texas-to-rome

In this Episode we have a discussion with Major General David Doyle, US Army, Discuss challenges and opportunities in leading a division emphasizing training, multi-domain operations, and operational art. This Kind of War: A Study in Unpreparedness, T.R. Fehrenbach https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/118690.This_Kind_of_War Causality: Models, Reasoning, and Inference, Judea Pearl https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/174276.Causality Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard: Chip Heath, & Dan Heath https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6570502-switch

In this episode, the team discusses the importance of narrative, operational art, and the role of museums in military professional development with Lieutenant Colonel (retired) Nikki Dean. Ms. Dean is a military history interpreter at the World War I Museum located in Kansas City, MO. Reading Suggestions Wayne Sandholtz: Prohibiting Plunder https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2901356-prohibiting-plunder Frankline D. Vagone and Deborah E Ryan: The Anarchist’s Guide to Historic House Museums https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/25759565 Liddell Hart: The Real War 1914-1918 https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/148842 George T. Raach: A Withering Fire https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34323467-a-withering-fire?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_14 Podcasts: Meet Me at the Museum from Art Fund https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meet-me-at-the-museum/id1439186876 Conflict of Interest from Imperial War Museums https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conflict-of-interest/id1566841158 Side Door from Smithsonian Institution https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sidedoor/id1168154281 A Frame of Mind from The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/a-frame-of-mind/id1600732900