Afleveringen
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson sits down with retired General Robert Brown, the former commander of US Army Pacific and current president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), to discuss leadership, innovation, and a commitment to service. Reflecting on his journey from a basketball recruit at West Point to commanding soldiers around the world, General Brown shares lessons on embracing failure as a pathway to growth, fostering innovation by empowering leaders at the tactical edge, and maintaining the Army’s human advantage in an era of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. He also offers candid insights on mentorship, the importance of selfless service, and AUSA’s role in connecting the Army with industry, communities, and the American public. For leaders of all ranks, General Brown’s message is clear: Give the Army your full commitment, learn from setbacks, and enjoy the remarkable journey of leading soldiers.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Donovan Scott sits down with Lieutenant General Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of America's First Corps, to discuss leadership, deterrence, and the challenges of operating across the vast Indo-Pacific theater. General McFarlane reflects on his journey from ROTC cadet at James Madison University to senior Army commander, sharing lessons learned from deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. He explains how geography, contested logistics, and coalition operations are reshaping the Army's approach to warfare, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in an era of strategic competition, and highlights the enduring value of trust, teamwork, and leading from the front. Throughout the conversation, General McFarlane offers practical insights for current and future leaders on building cohesive teams, embracing change, adapting at the speed of need, and preparing for the evolving character of conflict.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode with host Cadet Zach Olson, Brigadier General Thaddeus Fineran reflects on an unplanned but ultimately life-defining Army career, shaped by opportunity, adaptability, and a systems-based approach to leadership. From his entry into military service through ROTC to leadership positions in the aviation branch and ultimately senior roles within US Northern Command, General Fineran emphasizes the importance of understanding complex systems from aircraft operations to global force management, and how those systems directly impact readiness at every level of command. He offers insight into the unique challenges faced by National Guard soldiers attempting to balance civilian and military careers, highlighting the demands placed on time, families, and professional development. Ultimately, he underscores that leadership is built through trust, preparation, and perspective, reminding young officers that while responsibility grows with rank, so does the ability to influence meaningful outcomes. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
General Xavier Brunson is the commander of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea. In this episode, he joins Cadet Olivia Hanson for a wide-ranging discussion about leadership, deterrence, alliances, and the strategic future of the Indo-Pacific. He explains the complex structure of US and allied military forces in Korea, the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region, and why alliances remain America’s greatest asymmetric advantage in an era of renewed great power competition. The conversation also explores multidomain operations, emerging technologies, and the timeless fundamentals of warfare: protection, posture, and sustainment.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Brigadier General Sarah Dudley sits down with Cadet Orion van Buskirk to reflect on an unexpected path into the Army that became a 27-year career shaped by leadership, adaptability, and a passion for people. She discusses her role leading US Army Recruiting Divison, emphasizing that recruiting is not a numbers game but a deliberate effort to identify and develop the right talent for the Army of 2040. Drawing on experiences from managing millions in cash during early combat operations to navigating coalition dynamics and emerging technologies like digital assets, she highlights the importance of clarity, ownership, and removing organizational friction. General Dudley underscores that the Army’s enduring value lies in its ability to build leaders, arguing that its relevance to the next generation depends on communicating that mission in a rapidly evolving technological and social landscape. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Nik Badinelli interviews retired General Daniel Allyn. Through their discussion, General Allen reflects on his unconventional path to West Point and a career defined by leadership at every level, emphasizing that true readiness is rooted in rigorous, repetitive training that prepares soldiers for the realities of combat. He underscores the importance of mastering fundamentals, adapting to resource constraints, and prioritizing people, arguing that effective leadership, whether in combat or the corporate world, begins with trust, character, and the development of subordinates. Drawing on experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan, Allen highlights the enduring nature of warfare despite technological advances, stressing that while AI and drones are transformative, the core demands on soldiers remain unchanged. He also discusses the challenges of decision-making, the loneliness of command, and the necessity of “leading up” to inform senior leaders. Ultimately, his advice to young officers centers on authenticity, disciplined preparation, and a relentless commitment to their soldiers, reinforcing that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility grounded in values and continuous learning.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson speaks with US Lieutenant General Curtis Buzzard and Ukrainian Major General Volodymyr Horbatiuk about how the war in Ukraine is reshaping modern warfare through rapid innovation, widespread use of drones, and data-driven operations, making the battlefield more transparent, decentralized, and lethal. They emphasize that while the nature of war remains constant, its character is evolving quickly, driven by necessity, technology, and the integration of civilian expertise. The conversation also highlights leadership lessons, including the importance of mission command, adaptability, humility, and learning from failure, alongside the immense resilience of Ukrainian forces and society. Ultimately, they stress that Ukraine serves as a real-world laboratory for future conflict, and that militaries must learn from it faster than their adversaries to avoid paying a higher cost in future wars. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson sits down with General Joseph Ryan to explore his thirty-five-year Army career, highlighting how early influences, strong mentorship, and a relentless team spirit guided his path in service to the nation. Now commanding the newly established US Army Western Hemisphere Command, General Ryan explains his organization's role as a theater army responsible for providing trained and ready forces across North and South America. He highlights the strategic importance of the region, citing evolving threats such as transnational criminal organizations, great power competition—particularly with China—and the need for deeper partnerships across Latin America. General Ryan explains that the creation of the command represents a broader Army transformation aligned with national defense priorities, shifting focus toward defending the homeland and strengthening regional security cooperation.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Orion Van Buskirk is joined by retired Lt. Gen. Leslie Smith, whose career began in the field artillery and culminated in his service as inspector general of the Army. He covers a range of subjects during the discussion, including leadership in moments of crisis, the vital role of standards in the profession of arms, and the emerging challenges of large-scale combat operations.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
Drawing from his 37-year Army career, retired Lieutenant General James Dubik reflects on leadership, moral responsibility, and institutional reform in a wide-ranging conversation with Cadet Nicholas Finke. From his unconventional path into the Army after leaving the seminary to commanding the Army’s first Stryker Brigade Combat Team and leading multinational efforts in Iraq, General Dubik emphasizes urgency, adaptability, and humility in leadership. He discusses the moral weight of warfare, arguing that while technology may increase physical distance from the battlefield, it never creates distance from a soldier’s conscience. Across roles from platoon leader to three-star general, General Dubik underscores a consistent lesson: treat people with dignity and respect, remain humble, and tap into the expertise within your formation.
The conversation also explores the complexities of building partner forces and leading large multinational commands in combat. General Dubik highlights America’s strengths in tactical training while candidly addressing institutional impatience and the difficulty of building enduring military and police institutions abroad. He reflects on the importance of strategic patience, the iterative nature of improvement in wartime leadership, and the irreplaceable role of human presence, even in an era of rapid technological change. Closing with personal reflections, he offers advice to his younger self about balancing professional duty with family life and models how retired generals can responsibly engage in national security debates by focusing on policy rather than partisanship.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this wide-ranging interview conducted by Cadet Emily Wilczek, Brigadier General Shane Reeves, the dean of the academic board at the United States Military Academy at West Point, reflects on his path to service, his role as West Point’s dean, and the central importance of intellectual development in preparing officers for modern warfare. Drawing on his family’s long military tradition and his own experience as an armor officer and judge advocate general, General Reeves emphasizes that the academy’s core mission is to build an intellectual foundation that enables cadets to navigate uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity rather than freeze in the face of it. The discussion ranges from the inseparability of academic rigor and operational effectiveness to the enduring importance of character in the profession of arms to emerging technologies like AI.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Nathan Unks sits down with retired Admiral Harry B. Harris Jr., former Commander of US Pacific Command and former US Ambassador to South Korea, for a conversation focused on national security, leadership, and perseverance. Admiral Harris reflects on his personal journey—from growing up in the American South as the son of a Navy chief petty officer and a Japanese war survivor, to finding opportunity through Navy JROTC and the Naval Academy—and shares candid lessons on resilience, failure, risk management, and teamwork.
The discussion also explores the evolving strategic challenges of the Indo-Pacific, with Admiral Harris identifying China as the most significant long-term threat to global security and emphasizing the importance of alliances, diplomacy, and rebuilding America’s industrial base. Drawing on his experience leading joint and interagency organizations throughout his 40-year Navy career as well as his time serving as ambassador, he underscores the value of understanding institutional cultures and leading diverse teams under pressure. Admiral Harris closes with advice for future leaders: focus on excelling in the job at hand, learn from setbacks, and commit to service with humility and purpose.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an exceptional professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about leadership, their unique experiences in uniform, and their expectations for the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Emily Wilczek speaks with retired Lieutenant General Joe Berger, who began his thirty-three-year career as a military police officer and saw combat in Somalia before transferring to the Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, served in such units as the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, Joint Special Operations Command, and US Cyber Command, and finished his career as the judge advocate general of the Army. In the conversation, he reflects on how disciplined legal judgment and ethical clarity inform sound decision-making in complex environments—from advising commanders in conflict zones to leading the Army’s ten-thousand-strong legal community.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson hosts retired General Joe Votel, who led such units as the 75th Ranger Regiment, the Joint Special Operations Command, US Special Operations Command, and US Central Command.
General Votel reflects on a career shaped by trust, adaptability, and disciplined leadership across the full spectrum of modern conflict. Drawing on experiences commanding both special operations and conventional forces, he discusses the enduring importance of decentralized decision-making, strong relationships, and transparent communication in complex, fast-moving environments. General Votel also explores how leaders should balance human judgment with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the evolving role of special operations in great power competition, and the strategic challenges of regions such as the Middle East. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes patience, collaboration, professional curiosity, and commitment to the task at hand as timeless foundations for developing highly effective military leaders. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Justin Rodriguez sits down with Major General Mark Quander to discuss topics ranging from disaster relief to team building to accomplishing what seems impossible.
General Quander graduated from West Point and commissioned as an engineer. After service in units such as the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airborne Division, and the 10th Mountain Division and combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, he returned to West Point as the 79th commandant of the United States Military Academy. He now serves as the Deputy Commanding General for Military and International Operations, US Army Corps of Engineers. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
Retired Brigadier General Maureen LeBoeuf graduated from Saint Bonaventure University and received a direct commission into the Women's Army Corps. She served in the logistics, ordnance, and aviation branches during her Army career before being selected to head West Point's Department of Physical Education and earning the title Master of the Sword, becoming the first woman to hold either of those positions.
In this episode, Cadet Parker Brown talks to General LeBoeuf about leadership philosophy, mentorship, physical fitness, and setting the standard as a leader. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
Brigadier General Adam Ake graduated first in his class at West Point and was a Rhodes Scholar before embarking on an Army career that led to his current position as the deputy director for operations, OT-4, on the joint staff. In this episode, he joins Cadet Zach Olson for an in-depth discussion about professional military education, critical thinking, life priorities, and the challenges (and opportunities) inherent in learning and leading in a complex and uncertain environment.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson interviews retired General Paul LaCamera. General LaCamera commanded the 4th Infantry Division, United States Army Pacific, and United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command. He also has extensive experience in the special operations community, with service in the 75th Ranger Regiment and the Joint Special Operations Command. He is the recipient of numerous awards and decorations, including the Silver Star, which he earned for his actions during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistan. This wide-ranging and highly informative discussion focuses on readiness, combat leadership, and the value of simplicity.
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Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode, Cadet Orion van Buskirk interviews retired Major General Malcolm Frost, a career infantryman whose assignments as a general officer include serving as the deputy commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, the chief of public affairs for the Army, and the commanding general of the Army Center for Initial Military Training. In their discussion, the two cover General Frost's decision to join the Army, his experiences leading troops in combat, and the highlights of General Frost's time heading the Army's public affairs effort and commanding the Army's initial military training program.
General Frost’s thoughts on relationship building, the importance of leader’s intent, and the necessity of leaders positioning themselves at the decisive point are highly useful insights for anyone interested in honing their own leadership ability or improving the organizations they lead. -
Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.
In this episode of Five Questions for a General, Cadet Donovan Scott sits down with retired Major General Bill Rapp for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, decision-making, and the challenges of driving change in large organizations. Drawing on more than 30 years of Army service, including combat deployments, his tenure as commandant of West Point, and command of the US Army War College, General Rapp offers candid reflections on the lessons that shaped him as both a soldier and a leader.
From steering cultural change in academic and operational settings, to managing seemingly impossible logistical challenges in Afghanistan, to championing humility and courage as the bedrock of leadership, General Rapp provides wisdom that resonates far beyond the military. Whether discussing cadet snowball fights at West Point or the moral courage required to change course when plans fail in combat, his insights blend humility, humor, and hard-earned perspective. This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking practical lessons in leadership, resilience, and collaboration.
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