The Operational Arch

In this episode of The Operational Arch, hosts Spencer Bates and DJ Taylor sit down with Lieutenant General Chun In-bum (Ret.), former commander of the Republic of Korea Special Warfare Forces and U.S. Army War College graduate, for a wide-ranging conversation on the enduring U.S.-ROK alliance. General Chun explores the deep historical, cultural, and security ties that bind the two nations — from Korea's democratic founding under American mentorship to the shared sacrifices of the Vietnam War. The discussion shifts to the operational challenges of the Korean Peninsula, including terrain, deterrence, the importance of adaptive planning, and the combined Second Infantry Division as a model for allied partnership. The episode closes with a sobering look at North Korea's battlefield performance in Ukraine, the growing Russia-DPRK relationship, and General Chun's call for greater focus on civil-military relations and cognitive warfare as the defining challenges of the modern era. 0:00     Guest Introduction & Overview— Introduction of Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Chun In-bum, ROK Armed Forces1:50     The U.S.-ROK "Blood Alliance"7:05     Cultural Ties: Religion, Education & K-Culture10:36    Security Challenges: China, Japan & the North Korean Threat14:13    "Never Underestimate the North Koreans"16:21    Campaigning on the Korean Peninsula19:34    Simple Ops, Detailed Logistics: the key to effective combined operations21:52    The ROK as Partner, Not Competitor31:09    The KPA in Ukraine: Motivation, Indoctrination & Vulnerability41:04    Civil-Military Relations & Cognitive Warfare: the defining challenges of the modern era

Steven Box, founder of Vanguard Tactics and top Warhammer coach, shares the IDEA framework for rapid decisions. Matt Yandura, SAMS professor in psychological and information operations, explains why SAMS brought outside methods into the curriculum. They discuss gathering key info under time pressure, turning it into decisive action, executing with composure, and assessing outcomes to learn and pivot.

Featuring Colonel Paul Godson (AMSP deputy director and recent HRC experience), Mr. Kirk Dorr (SAMS deputy director and retired Army colonel), and Dr. Bruce E. Stanley (AMSP director and longtime SAMS educator). They unpack AMSP’s focus on warfighting, doctrine, and AI. Short takes cover selection tips, the rigorous exam and interview, seminar life, career impacts, and family and preparation considerations.

In this episode of the Operational Arch podcast, Major Joanna Van Engel interviews Colonel (Retired) Dwayne Wagner,a seasoned Army planner and educator. They delve into the critical topics of mentorship, coaching, and counseling within military leadership, emphasizing the importance of developing junior leaders for long-term success. COL Wagner discusses the shifting dynamics of mentorship post-9/11, the distinct roles of coaching and mentoring, and the symbiotic relationship between officers and NCOs. He also addresses the challenges leaders face in the modern era, influenced by social media and constant scrutiny. Practical insights into creating effective leader development programs and reflections on personal experiences enrich this compelling conversation. 01:03 Introduction and Guest Welcome02:37 Coaching vs. Mentoring04:28 Challenges in Mentorship07:20  Cross-Gender and Cross-Branch Mentorship09:20 Leadership Development and Self-Improvement12:57 Officer and NCO Relationships18:46  Attributes of a Well-Rounded Officer21:38 Allowing Leaders to Grow and Learn from Mistakes25:39 Effective Leader Development Programs31:05 Final Thoughts and Messages

Dr. James Greer, an expert in operational art and military design with over 30 years of experience, dives into the evolving concept of convergence in Army doctrine. He contrasts it with historical strategies and emphasizes its role in modern warfare, particularly in understanding enemy systems. Practical examples from conflicts like Ukraine illustrate the application of convergence. Dr. Greer highlights the necessity for clear doctrines and continual education within the military to enhance operational effectiveness and adaptability.

Dr. Peter Mansoor, a retired Army Colonel and military history professor, shares insights from his book on General Douglas MacArthur's controversial return to the Philippines. He delves into MacArthur's innovative military strategies, showcasing his adaptability and the vital role of Filipino guerrillas. The conversation also highlights the complexities of joint operations, logistical challenges, and the delicate balance of leadership dynamics in a military campaign. Mansoor draws lessons from World War II that remain relevant for modern-day military strategies.

Dr. Scott Gorman, director of the Advanced Strategic Leadership Studies Program at SAMS, joins the Operational Arch to discuss the complexities of civil-military relations and the nuances of providing best military advice. The conversation touches on the importance of the military being politically informed rather than partisan and the critical nature of maintaining trust and dialogue between military and civilian leaders.

Mr. Peter Wood joins the Operational Arch to deep dive into China's counter-intervention strategy. This episode explores how this strategy fits into China's broader military doctrine as well as examining the nuances of China's approach to regional and global strategic competition.

Lieutenant General (Retired) Tony Aguto discusses the US-NATO partnership, the importance of multinational collaboration, and the role of strategic military planning in modern warfare. He highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by national caveats, interoperability issues, and the rapid adaptation required on today’s battlefield, particularly in light of lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Aguto emphasizes the changing nature of air superiority, the need for improved command and control systems, and the balance between mass production and modularity in military technology. He underscores the critical thinking skills of SAMS graduates in solving complex problems and urges planners to be adaptable, collaborative, and ready for unforeseen challenges in coalition and joint operations.

COL Estee Pinchasin joins the show to share about her time as Commander of the Baltimore District of the Corps of Engineers and the role she played during the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse in March 2024. COL Pinchasin discusses her experience during this crisis and draws out several key lessons from the incident. These lessons include the importance of collaboration, pre-established agreements, and maintaining a collaborative environment to handle complex interagency operations effectively.