The Operational Arch

In this episode of The Operational Arch, hosts Spencer Bates and DJ Taylor sit down with Steven Box, founder and CEO of Vanguard Tactics and a top-ranked competitive Warhammer coach, alongside SAMS professor Matt Yandura. The conversation explores how Box's "IDEA" framework — developed over years of competitive tabletop wargaming and coaching — maps surprisingly well to military decision-making: gathering the right information under time pressure, making rapid decisions, executing with composure, and assessing outcomes to adapt. The episode also digs into why SAMS invited an outside expert from a non-traditional field and what operational planners can learn from embracing failure, coaching others, and considering future operating environments.

Content:
0:00 — Intro & episode overview
2:31 — Steven Box's background: from Royal Navy aptitude tests to volleyball, bodybuilding, and Warhammer
7:42 — What is Warhammer? A layman's explanation
9:03 — Why SAMS brings in outside experts: Professor Yandura on SAMS' mandate to experiment
11:31 — Introducing the IDEA framework (the "Box Method")
12:10 — I — Information: Gathering the right info under time pressure; SWOT analysis on the battlefield
15:05 — D — Decision: Translating information into decisive action; identifying priorities and trade-offs
18:47 — E — Execution: Resource allocation, composure under pressure, managing variance
21:14 — A — Assessment: What went well, what didn't, and when to pivot
23:57 — Coaching philosophy: meeting people where they are and building from there
25:31 — The value of purposeful failure and learning from losses
32:41 — SAMS' Future Operating Environment course: forecasting, futures thinking, and speculative scenarios
45:32 — Closing takeaways & acknowledgments (CGSC Foundation shoutout)

In this episode of The Operational Arch, host Major DJ Taylor hands the mic over to three key SAMS leaders: Mr. Kirk Dorr (Deputy Director of the School of Advanced Military Studies (SAMS)), Dr. Bruce Stanley (Director of the Advanced Military Studies Program (AMSP)), and Colonel Paul Godson (Deputy Director of AMSP). Together, they pull back the curtain on the Advanced Military Studies Program, covering what it is, what it produces, and exactly how officers can go from being curious about the program to becoming a competitive applicant. They dispel myths about AMSP as merely a "planners' school" and show how the program develops leaders to meet the Army's most demanding missions as experts in Army and joint doctrine, leading diverse operational planning teams, and enabling senior leaders. The ten-month program focuses on warfighting, operational art, and the critical and creative thinking required to anticipate and adapt to rapid change on the modern battlefield.
0:00 Intro and Guest Introductions
4:20 How Has AMSP Changed Over the Years?
8:48 What Does the Operational Force Expect from Graduates?
10:16 What Attributes Define a Strong AMSP Student?
14:25 The Flow of the Academic Year (June–May)
19:52 How to Get Competitive / The Application Process
23:36 The AMSP Exam and Interview
27:19 Selection , the HRC Marketplace, & Recent Process Changes
35:22 How to Prepare / Tips for Applicants
44:40 "What If I Don't Want to Be a Planner?"
46:10 Family Considerations
49:57 What Should Every Graduate Take With Them?
52:51 Closing Remarks

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 Welcome
02:37 Coaching vs. Mentoring
04:28 Challenges in Mentorship
07:20  Cross-Gender and Cross-Branch Mentorship
09:20 Leadership Development and Self-Improvement
12:57 Officer and NCO Relationships
18:46  Attributes of a Well-Rounded Officer
21:38 Allowing Leaders to Grow and Learn from Mistakes
25:39 Effective Leader Development Programs
31:05 Final Thoughts and Messages

In this episode of the Operational Arch, Major we welcome Dr. James Greer, an expert in operational art, military design, and leader development with over 30 years of Army service. We discuss the concept of convergence within Army doctrine, as outlined in FM 3-0, emphasizing its differences from past doctrines such as the AirLand Battle. Dr. Greer provides insights into how convergence involves accumulated effects over time against systems, formations, and decision-makers across multiple domains, rather than mere synchronization. He also addresses the need for doctrinal clarity and the importance of understanding the science of warfare. Examples from the Ukraine conflict highlight practical applications of convergence. The discussion concludes with advice for listeners on the importance of continual teaching and learning within the military profession.
01:25 Defining Convergence in Army Doctrine
02:05 Historical Context of Army Doctrine
05:27 Understanding Convergence as an Outcome
05:50 Challenges and Misconceptions in Convergence
07:14 Examples and Applications of Convergence
15:23 Barriers to Achieving Convergence
22:15 Future of Convergence in Military Operations
35:20 Practical Steps for Implementing Convergence
00:22 Final Thoughts and Advice in Military Operations
35:20 Practical Steps for Implementing Convergence
00:22 Final Thoughts and Advice

Dr. Peter Mansoor, retired Army Colonel and professor of military history at the Ohio State University, joins the Operational Arch to discuss his new book, Redemption: MacArthur in the Campaign for the Philippines (Cambridge University Press, August 2025), which covers the arc of MacArthur's controversial return to the Philippines, providing both a master class and cautionary tale on the application of operational art. The group covers a wide variety of topics including theater logistics, the incorporation of friendly guerilla forces, organizational leadership, joint operations, and strategic decision-making.