A Better Peace: The War Room Podcast

The Army is actively seeking innovative programs and ideas to address the recruitment and retention challenges it faces. One such idea is the newly designed Blended Education Program (BEP) at the U.S. Army War College. The BEP is a hybrid program that combines the best aspects of the residential program, including staff rides to Gettysburg, Washington D.C., and New York City, with the remote flexibility of the distance education program, all within a 10-month academic year. It aims to help retain talented senior officers who wish to remain at their current duty stations while furthering their professional military education. Carl Benander, an AY24 BEP graduate, and Dr. Mark Duckenfield, the director of the program, joined podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss the program's early successes and lessons learned. The BEP offers a mix of synchronous and asynchronous learning, allowing students to interact with each other and their instructors in real time. Although still in its early stages, the BEP has been a success so far and is expected to continue and grow in the future. For more information about the Blended Education Program at the U.S. Army War College contact the director of the program, Dr. Mark Duckenfield mark.duckenfield@armywarcollege.edu I was not interested in three moves in a one- to two-year span. And so I was looking for any opportunity to to have some stability for the family. So that was really the appeal. Carl Benander is a Special Forces officer and a colonel in the U.S. Army. He is the commander of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) at Fort Liberty, NC. He is a 2024 graduate of the Blended Education Program (BEP) at the U.S. Army War College. Mark Duckenfield is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Chair of National Security and a Professor of International Economics in the Department of National Security and Strategy at the U.S. Army War College. Prior to joining the USAWC, he taught at the Air War College, the London School of Economics, and University College London. He holds an MA and Ph.D. in political science from Harvard University. He has held research appointments at the Max Planck Institute (Cologne) and Birkbeck College. He is the author of Business and the Euro and editor of The History of Financial Disasters, 1763-1995. The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense. Photo Description: General Charles Q. Brown, 21st Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the U.S. Army War College on September. 20, 2024 and spoke to the class of 2025, staff, and faculty in Bliss Auditorium. Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of the U.S. Army War College, stock image via Freepik

On August 8, 2024, retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, who served as the Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe from 2014 to 2017, visited Carlisle. Michael Neiberg had the pleasure of sitting down with him for a conversation about his latest book, Future War and the Defence of Europe. Their conversation was held at a public presentation at the Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. We're excited to share this bonus episode of their conversation with you, thanks to the generosity of the bookstore in sharing the audio recording of the event.

Last week, the U.S. Army War College welcomed Sir Hew Strachan, a distinguished British military historian and accomplished author. He graciously took the time to sit down with Michael Neiberg in the studio for another episode of our "On Writing" series. During their conversation, Sir Hew shared his journey to becoming one of the foremost experts on the First World War. They explored the significance of historical perspective in contemporary analysis, delved into his extensive studies of Clausewitz and other strategists, and discussed how appearing on television prompted him to think about war in more distilled terms. This engaging dialogue showcases the insights of two skilled and passionate historians.

Tom Spahr is back in the studio with another insightful discussion focused on data management, refinement, and exploitation within the military. He is joined by CW4 Kelsey Gibson, a senior technical advisor with years of experience in data and digital modernization in the special operations community. Together, they examine the challenges of developing data literacy across all leadership levels. They also discuss the importance of effectively sorting and filtering large data sets, as well as building the trust necessary to leverage AI and automation for faster decision-making. This conversation offers valuable insights into a crucial topic—tune in to hear their perspectives and share your thoughts!

This week, we have one final episode in our "Back to School" series highlighting another special program at the U.S. Army War College. The Advanced Regional Studies (ARS) program offers opportunities for students to meet the senior decision- and policy-makers of our allied and partner nations on their own turf. Daniel Krebs, the director of ARS, is in the studio to explain how a select number of students will travel abroad for study. He joins podcast editor Ron Granieri to discuss how students gain invaluable knowledge and understanding of the culture and mindset of these nations and their leaders by spending time in their countries and meeting with them face-to-face.

Last week, we noted the next few conversations veer into some of the "inside baseball" of how the Army War College educates strategic leaders. Episodes like this are mainly to inform incoming resident students about options available to them, but other listeners might be interested in getting some insights into the inner workings of senior joint professional military education. Host Tom Spahr sits down with the directors of three such opportunities: Bob Bradford, director of the Enterprise Management Enrichment Specialization (EM), Jerad Harper, director of the Joint Warfighting Program (JWP) and Mike Stinchfield, director of the National Security Simulation Exercise of Competition, Crisis, and Conflict (NSEC3). Their conversation examines the unique opportunities each of these enrichment and enhancement programs affords participants as they continue their growth towards becoming better critical thinkers, trusted advisers, and strategic thought leaders in the joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environment.

We know that the next few episodes are a little bit of inside baseball. But one of the things we like to do at War Room is highlight the innovative means and methods by which the U.S. Army War College develops strategic leaders. Episodes like this inform incoming resident students of the options available to them during their academic year as well as give insights to listeners who may never get to see the inner workings of senior joint professional military education (JPME). Host Darrell Driver sits down with the directors of three such opportunities: Doug Douds, director of the Advanced Strategic Art Program (ASAP), Richard Lacquement, director of the National Security Policy Program (NSPP) and Celestino Perez, director of the Carlisle Scholars Program (CSP). Their conversation examines the unique opportunities each of these immersive programs affords participants as they continue their growth towards becoming better critical thinkers, trusted advisers and strategic thought leaders in the joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational environment. For more information on each of the programs you can contact the directors. Dr. Doug Douds (ASAP) douglas.douds@armywarcollege.edu Dr. Richard Lacquement (NSPP) richard.lacquement@armywarcollege.edu Dr. Celestino Perez (CSP) celestino.perez@armywarcollege.edu

It's time to talk about the Harding Project once again. The project is the Chief of Staff of the Army's (CSA) effort to renew professional publications, strengthen the profession, and ultimately enhance the warfighting capability of the U.S. Army. Jake Larkowich, Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Army War College and associate editor for War Room, stepped into the studio to share a senior leader perspective. He joins Editor-in-Chief, JP Clark, to discuss the importance of putting words to your thoughts. Their conversation focuses on sharing experiences and opinions in writing at the senior leader level, where there is value for both junior officers and NCOs, as well as challenges and benefits to writing for one's contemporaries.

Alliances are difficult beasts to manage. Priorities don't always align; gains for some are sacrifices for others. Resources aren't equally provided or distributed. It is a difficult dance for leaders to balance participation in alliances for the greater good while maintaining the strategic autonomy of their sovereign nation. Marcus Antonini spent his year at the U.S. Army War College as a member of the Advanced Strategic Art Program (ASAP) examining the concept of strategic autonomy, primarily within the context of NATO. Marcus joins host Darrell Driver to discuss the concepts that he studied in ASAP as well as the Russia-Ukraine Integrated Research Project he participated in. Their conversation covers meetings with French counterparts at École Militaire as part of the program as well as his previous experience leading the Bomber Task Force in U.S. European Command.

The Carlisle Scholars Program at the U.S. Army War College is a unique experience for a select seminar of students each academic year. After completing the majority of the academic requirements in an accelerated 10 weeks of course work, the remainder of the year focuses on research, writing, and advising senior leaders. Bernardo Gonzalez-Lazaro Sueiras, Rick Luce and Luigi Valentini are in the studio to explain the results of their study that investigated the issue of interoperability in NATO. They join guest host Tom Galvin to reveal the issues and successes they found after many hours of interviews and examination of NATO member nations and their military leaders.