The ALx Bulletin - August 2026 - The Leadership Continuum: Developing Self, Preparing the Team

“To meet the demands of tomorrow’s battlefield, we must be uncompromising in our preparation. However, mastering our warfighting fundamentals is only half the equation. We must also master the elements of leadership. 

Michael R. Weimer, Sgt. Maj. of the Army

               "The Noncommissioned Officer: A Primer"

                        Coming September 2026

Committed leaders continuously improve their organization, leaving it better than they found it. They expect other leaders to do the same. Leaders look ahead and prepare subordinates with potential to assume positions with greater leadership responsibility; in turn, subordinates develop themselves to prepare for future leadership assignments.

  ADP 6-22, "Army Leadership and the Profession:

Execute Today [Content You Can Use Immediately]

Find helpful leadership handbooks from the Combined Arms Command (CAC) Transformation Integration Directorate (TID) on the topics of coaching, leadership transitions, building a positive climate and more, here.

Stay informed of the latest doctrine updates and releases. The CAC-TID Directorate of Training and Doctrine’s SharePoint page includes a doctrine newsletter and is open to all Army365 users. Access it here.

Find the information you need.  Army Directive 2026-17 “Optimizing Digital Media,” released June 30, consolidated social media operations to ensure reliability, reduce duplication, and mitigate risk. This means information will now flow through installation and higher headquarters social media. You can subscribe to relevant unit DVIDS pages to access their news, videos, and images.  Find each unit using the search features on this page.

Prepare for Tomorrow [Content to Improve Your Organization]

  “Are you willing to do the things that are necessary to put yourself in the position to be most effective?” 

- Brig. Gen. Antwan L. Dunmyer, Sr.

How do you invest in yourself? Who do you spend your time with? What do you spend your time reading? These are just a few questions BG Dunmyer asks in this ALx Mentor Minutes video. You can now watch the entire series on DVIDS here. Make sure to subscribe.

Are leaders born with an innate "it" factor or can the skills be learned and developed?

Decades of research has shown that leadership can be learned. Intentional effort and challenging experiences are two factors that build the capacity to lead. This means building a culture of coaching, mentoring, and on the job learning is critical for to develop the next generation of leaders.  Read “Are leaders born or made?” to learn more.

“An often-overlooked reality is that education, particularly practitioner education, entails the cultivation of certain skills. These skills—like playing a musical instrument or hitting a golf ball or firing a rifle—require repeated attempts and critical feedback if military professionals are to achieve competence at them.” -Retired Col. Celestino Perez Jr.

Citing results of an exploratory study, this author argues that professional military education (PME) must incorporate routine, problem-based exercises using real-world crises to bridge the gap between academic theory and practical application. Read this article for his full insight and conclusions.

 “I saw how unfamiliar most of the other Army officers and NCOs were with our leadership doctrine. The majority, like me, learned for the first time that the Army Leadership Requirements Model (ALRM) from ADP 6-22 was more than just Character, Presence, Intellect, Leads, Develops, and Achieves.” – Capt. Oren Rosen

Developing future leaders is a daily commitment that requires objective, doctrinally rooted feedback rather than subjective "on-the-job" guesswork. In this article, Oren outlines how the Army Leadership Requirements Model and the SOAR process from FM 6-22 gives leaders the tools to provide clear, actionable counseling that directly ties a subordinate's actions to mission success. 

Learn Always  [Content to Help You Think]

Leading versus managing, what’s the difference?  This article explores the centuries-old debate between leadership and management. Read to learn both skill sets are essential for mission success.

“We have plenty of leaders who look the part, speak with confidence in front of formations, and hold the line on standards and discipline, but who can't manage time, personnel, and equipment effectively. So, expanding leadership narratives, instead of focusing on whether leaders produce measurable outcomes, only masks actual top performers.” – Master Sgt. Nathan P. Feinberg

In “Re-Assessing the Assessment,” MSG Feinberg argues the current Army promotion system fails to elevate effective managers, favoring style over substance. He advocates for incorporating reportable data points and specific data metrics into the NCOER. Read the article here to explore his insight.

In episode #65 of “The LOGSTAT,” CPT Garett Pyle meets with COL Denis Fajardo and COL Charles “Andy” Moore to discuss the operational readiness program (ORP) and what this capability brings to the force. Outlined in EXORD 119-26, the ORP is designed to increase the readiness of units and rebuild the culture of maintenance across the Army. It connects the depot resources to the unit level. Listen here.

Army University Films has a new home on DVIDS. Bookmark the Army films pages on the website to easily find any of the films. The Army PME films include a professional writing series and military history & case studies on the Army University Press website here. You can also subscribe to the AUP unit page to get alerts on new releases.

• “China’s Force Projection Capabilities” provides an overview of the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM). It examines China’s current worldview, and its rapid rise in force projection capabilities. The film looks at the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Chinese military history, and breaks down the size and scope of the PLA’s forces. China’s military doctrine is discussed including small and large-island seizure operations, as well as the phases of amphibious landing operations. This film and others can be found here

Get Involved [Opportunities for YOU to Drive Change]

Coming soon …  The AUP Insider will feature the newest releases from across Army University.  Each month you will receive recommended articles, the latest book & film releases, book reviews, staff ride highlights, and content related to important dates in history. **SPOILER ALERT** There are new releases coming in September that you won’t want to miss!  SUBSCRIBE HERE. You can also use this link to unsubscribe. Read the information carefully.