The Operational Arch

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-p...

In this Episode we have a Discussion with Lt Gen Milford H. Beagle, US Army, and Mr. Creed about US Army doctrine, specifically FM 3-0 and trace its concepts and applications to MDO. Book Recommendations: Full-Spectrum Thinking: How to Escape Boxes in a Post-Categorical Future: Bob Johansen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49918684-full-spectrum-thinking The Liberation Trilogy Boxed Set: Rick A...

In this episode the team discusses urban warfare with Professor John Spencer, the Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern Warfare Center. If you liked Professor Spencer's points and want to learn more about Urban Warfare check out his podcast or book below, along with some other books he suggests. John Spencer's Podcast: Urban Warfare Project Podcast https://mwi.westpoint.edu/category/podcast...

In this episode we discuss Space Operations with LTC Jerry Drew one of the principal authors on a new book titled "The Battle Beyond: Fighting and Winning the Coming War in Space" Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199444232-the-battle-beyond?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=fAQSRO9bAC&rank=1

The team speaks with Dr. James Platte about Deterrence Theory.

LTC Broyles discusses his "Counter-Punch" Theory of warfare and how we can use it as a offensively minded, but defensively postured military force. The subject of this episode was published in the November to December issue of Military Review. Check it out at the following link. https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/Military-Review/English-Edition-Archives/November-December-2023/Count...

We continue to explore the topic of Napoleon as a historical figure as well as our thoughts on the upcoming movie. If you have not listened to episode 18, we encourage you to do so before listening to this one. In this episode we discuss the movie and what we hope to see visualized for audiences. We also discuss the influences that Napoleon has had on modern operational thought, as well as the dif...

In today's episode we start our first of two episodes discussing Napoleon and some myths and beliefs about him as a military genius. We discuss the rise of Napoleon and his actions as the leader of the French Military and the changes Napoleon implemented on the military. Check out Dr. Abel's Podcast @ https://open.spotify.com/show/4umHPpMClIU6Oi6eGIKPMv The views and expressions heard here...

Today we have Doctor Dan Cox of SAMS, focused on the future of warfare, including future information warfare adaptations, the role of cost and emerging trends and capabilities, reemerging trends like trench warfare and implications for our future force. Dr. Cox's Books: Terrorism, Instability, and Democracy in Asia and Africa (Northeastern Series on Democratization and Political Development) Human...

On Episode 16 of the Operational Arch, Major General Costanza provides insight and perspective for future division planners and discusses what he learned from his time leading the Third Infantry Division. When we discussed operational art, Major General Costanza highlighted the utility of time and space and future operations. We hope you enjoy the conversation   Book Recommendations  Paris, 1919:...

Security Assistance is a big topic to cover in 30 minutes. BG Nicholson provides comments on how the US does it, and how it applies to Operational Art. Covering topics from Foreign Military Sales to how do we recruit and retain talent. Links to Book Recommendations: Lakota America: A New History of Indigenous Power Pekka Hämäläinen https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44310208-lakota-america?ac=1&a...

In this episode we say goodbye to last year's hosts, and introduce our new hosts. We also briefly go over what you as our listener can expect for content over the next year. New Hosts: J.D. Corless, Active Duty Air Force Tom Haydock, Army National Guard Sheila Holder. Active duty Army Military Brian Lander.  active-duty Marine Officer Jesse Valles, Army National Guard Aaron Warren, Active-duty...

Season 1, Episode 14 of the Operational Arch. This is part two of our conversation with guest Mr. Sebastian Bae where he talks about Wargaming and its utility to military planning and training. In this episode, Sebastian explains how to integrate board games into your units training. He also talks about the processes of incorporating moral, ethical, and diverse decision making into board game desi...

Season 1, Episode 13 of the Operational Arch. This is part one of our conversation with guest Mr. Sebastian Bae where he talks about Wargaming and its utility to military planning and training. Sebastian argues that Wargaming is useful as an educational tool, not necessarily as an outcome generator or simulator. Sebastian also talks about where and how he believes wargaming should be used in the m...

Season 1 episode 12 of the Operational Arch is part two of our conversation with guest Dr. Ben Zweibelson where he talks all things Center of Gravity. Ben argues that Centers of Gravity insufficiently prepare us to understand the emergent systems spawned when two opposing forces collide, and offers some alternative constructs we might use to make sense of increasingly complex systems. Dr. Zweibels...

Season 1 episode 11 of the Operational Arch is part one of our conversation with guest Dr. Ben Zweibelson where he talks all things Center of Gravity. Ben offers a deconstruction of COGs by taking a look at the models the concept is born from, and why those models might explain why COG analysis may be becoming less relevant as the systems around us become increasingly complex. Dr. Zweibelson is th...

Season 1 episode 10 of the Operational Arch is part two of our conversation with guest Dr. Jim Greer as he takes us on a deep dive into John Boyd and his Patterns of Conflict. We continue our conversation on how we should engage Boyd, and explores how John Warden's Five Rings theory collates with Boyd's theories. Boyd and Warden's theories remain complimentary in that they take a syste...

Season 1 episode 9 of the Operational Arch is part one of our conversation with guest Dr. Jim Greer as he takes us on a deep dive into John Boyd and his Patterns of Conflict. He explains how we tend to get caught up in Boyd's OODA loop, often at the expense of Boyd's other insights into the nature and character of conflict. He explores the concept of the OODA loop as a point of departure a...

Season 1 Episode 8 of the Operational Arch is the final episode in our limited series exploring the pillars of operational art. Our guests this week are COL Andrew Morgado, the Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies, and Dr. Bruce Stanley, the Director of the Advanced Military Studies Program. They explore the relationship between practice and experience, how history, doctrine, and th...

Season 1 Episode 7 of the Operational Arch is the third episode in our limited series exploring the pillars of operational art. We peel back the unique role doctrine plays in conducting operational art and training operational artists. Our guest, COL (Ret.) Rich Creed, discusses how history and theory informs doctrine, which theorists and history were key in developing "Multi-Domain Operation...

Season 1 Episode 6 of the Operational Arch inspects the human dimension of the U.S. Army's multi-domain operating concept. Our guest, LTC Nate Finney, frames the discussion against the complex INDOPACOM operational environment and offers techniques on how planners and leaders should think about the human dimension to create relative advantage. LTC Finney is the creator and co-founder of The St...

Season 1 Episode 5 of the Operational Arch focuses on how irregular warfare fits into the operational level of war and operational art. Our guest, COL (Ret.) Derek Jones, representing the Irregular Warfare Center, discusses how irregular warfare is just one aspect of an irregular approach to campaigning and provides insights on how to perceive and frame irregular operations across the range of mil...

Season 1 Episode 4 of the Operational Arch is the second in a limited series examining the pillars of operational art. In this episode, we dive into the role theory plays in conducting operational art and training operational artists. Our guest, Dr. Scott Gorman, provides insights on how planners can leverage theory to understand how the world works and frame options to achieve desired endstates....

Season 1 Episode 3 of the Operational Arch is the first in a limited series examining the pillars of operational art. In this episode, we dive into the role history plays in conducting operational art and training operational artists. Our guest, Dr. Dean Nowowiejski, discusses the U.S. Army's interesting relationship with history, how leaders can become historically minded, and the value history p...

Season 1 Episode 2 of the Operational Arch examines the evaluation and assessment of operational art to determine how students of war may glean lessons, good or bad, on how forces employ operational art. Our guest, Australian Army Major General (Ret.) Mick Ryan, provides insights on the relationship between design and operational art, the strategy of corrosion in relationship to attrition or annih...