School of War Ep 201: Zachary Griffiths & McKinsey Harb on the U.S. Army
May 30, 2025
Lieutenant Colonel Zachary Griffiths, a Special Forces officer and director of the Harding Project, joins Major McKinsey Harb, a strategist and lead author of the new Army Field Manual 1. They delve into the evolution of military mindsets, the significance of fostering a warrior ethos, and the balance between leadership and followership. Their insights also reveal the challenges of military communication and the impact of historical figures, like a WWII dentist-turned-hero, on the modern understanding of military identity.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
West Point's Cultural Shift
- Cultural mindset at West Point shifted from intense wartime focus to broader readiness as active combat decreases.
- Cadets now choose diverse specialties, reflecting uncertain future threats.
The Heroic Dentist Warrior
- Ben Salomon, a dentist during WWII, fought off Japanese soldiers and manned a heavy machine gun, killing many to protect his unit.
- His heroic story exemplifies that every soldier, regardless of role, must be ready to be a warrior.
Leaders Must Cultivate Warrior Spirit
- Leaders at every level must actively foster the warrior spirit within their units.
- FM1 serves as a tool for soldiers to reconnect with their warrior identity when needed.