Bend But Do Not Break: Rethinking the Future of the All-Volunteer Force with Jaron Wharton

Mar 28, 2026

Jaron Wharton, Army officer, scholar, and co-editor of Bend but Do Not Break, explores the future of the all-volunteer force and civil-military relations. He discusses how education and intellectual curiosity strengthen leaders. They tackle groupthink, the risks of a widening civil-military gap, the idea of a 'warrior caste,' and why service should be celebrated across society.

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INSIGHT

Education Expands Tactical Perspectives

Academic study and self-directed reading expanded Jaron Wharton’s perspective beyond a narrow cycle of deployments and tactical routines.
He credits graduate education with giving him tools to question assumptions and avoid the “this is how we’ve always done it” mindset.

ADVICE

Actively Protect Intellectual Dissidence

Protect and encourage intellectual dissidence inside military institutions to prevent groupthink and doctrinal echo chambers.
Cultivate forums and journals where differing views can be debated rather than forcing consensus in monolithic classrooms.

ANECDOTE

Baseball Trip Sparked The Book Idea

A baseball road trip with his kids sparked Wharton’s observation that audiences cheer veterans yet simultaneously express hostility toward the military in casual conversation.
That cognitive dissonance motivated him to start the Bend But Do Not Break project.

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Jaron Wharton—a former brigade commander in the 82nd Airborne Division and co-editor of Bend but Do Not Break joins Joe to examine the future of the all-volunteer force and the role of professional discourse in strengthening the military.

Joe and Jaron discuss how education and self-study shape better leaders, why intellectual curiosity is essential in command, and how stepping outside of purely tactical experiences helps leaders avoid what Joe describes as a “soda straw” view of the world. They also reflect on the dangers of groupthink inside hierarchical organizations and the responsibility leaders have to create space for dissenting ideas.

Throughout the conversation, they explore the growing disconnect between the military and the society it serves, the risks of an emerging “warrior caste,” and why service must be valued beyond just those in uniform.

Joe and Jaron also discuss:

Why education prepares leaders not just for success—but for failure
The danger of an “anti-intellectual bend” in the military
How groupthink develops—and how leaders can actively fight it
Why publishing isn’t the goal—promoting conversation is
The risks of a widening civil-military gap
Why service should be celebrated across all professions—not just the military
The importance of giving junior leaders a voice in shaping the profession
What it might take to mobilize society for large-scale conflict

Whether you’re a junior leader trying to find your voice, a senior leader thinking about the future of the force, or someone simply interested in the relationship between the military and society, this episode offers a thoughtful and challenging look at where we are—and where we may be headed.

Also, check out Bend but Do Not Break, with proceeds supporting Wear Blue: Run to Remember.

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