The ALx Bulletin - June 2026 - The Collective Edge
"Esprit de corps denotes the Army’s winning spirit—a collective ethos of camaraderie, mutual trust, and cohesive teamwork. Successfully accomplishing missions requires spirited and dedicated Soldiers and Army civilians who strive for standards of excellence."
— ADP 6-22, Paragraph 1-38
Combat power is not just generated by individual excellence; it is multiplied by how effectively we connect, communicate, and share knowledge and resources. That’s why ALx has joined the Army University Press (AUP) educational portfolio to expand our reach and deliver a unified leader development platform.
AUP brings cutting-edge thought and engagement on emerging defense topics to military leaders and soldiers across the formation. In concert and coordination, ALx provides the targeted delivery, putting those concepts into action across the force.
Our vision is that deliberate curation of AUP scholarship, multimedia and content from the Army’s branch journals and other independent, professional outlets will motivate you to read, write, and mentor more actively. AUP and ALx seek to cultivate the critical thinking required to forge informed and decisive leaders.
Execute Today [Content You Can Use Immediately]
Military Professionals now have instant access to all Army branch journals through the new Line of Departure app. Readers can expect publication of approximately eight articles per branch journal each month. Read more about the new app in this article and download it in the Apple or Google play store.
Tell Your Formation. Have you seen the new webpages on Army.mil? Tell Your Formation is a Soldier-focused, leader-led communication initiative designed to translate complex Army policies into clear, understandable, and actionable information. Find it here.
Prepare for Tomorrow [Content to Improve Your Organization]
Influencing others is a core leadership skill in every role you will have. In addition to recognizing and cultivating the power of networks, this article highlights three other skills that will help you better inspire, persuade and encourage your team members to create common goals and achieve results.
This article reached over 16K views in less than a week on the Army U Press website. “Dear Future Sergeants Major” by Command Sgt. Maj. Tammy Everett provides reflections of her 30-plus years career and advice relevant to all emerging leaders. Read it here.
“Being a junior leader in the Army demands a mastery of interpersonal communication skills: the ability to negotiate, motivate, and build rapport with partners, Soldiers, and peers alike.” 1st Lt. Erica Esterly
Is your communication style a combat multiplier or a liability? Learn why the Army should treat interpersonal communication as a perishable tactical skill and how authentic rapport serves as a more powerful tool for mission success than any formal authority. Read firsthand operational insights here.
“For the safety and prosperity of the United States, as well as that of our allies and partners, the national security imperative is clear: we must continue developing and educating our current and future leaders, both officers and enlisted, throughout their careers”. -Lt. Gen. Mike Plehn, US Air Force, Retired
As the character of warfare evolves through rapid technological advancements, continuous Professional Military Education (PME) is essential for developing leaders capable of navigating complex threats. Beyond academic instruction, the PME classroom builds deep trust and strong professional networks as leaders from different branches and nations collaborate and debate strategic ideas together. Ultimately, this combination of rigorous study and peer relationship-building ensures a highly competent, strategically minded joint force. Read the full article here.
Despite rapid technological advancement and integration, the fundamental burden of leadership remains entirely human. In "The Lethal, Learning Lieutenant," Charles Faint argues that the most effective future officers will not be those with the most advanced technology, but those who can adapt and learn the fastest. This article provides essential, practical advice on managing digital signatures, empowering tech-savvy subordinates, and leading through degraded communications. Read the full piece to discover why character and intellectual agility remain the ultimate weapons on the modern battlefield.
Learn Always [Content to Help You Think]
Just Published. Lariat Advance: Insights from the Cold War for the Twenty-First Century. This anthology brings together academic rigor and professional military reflection. If you are interested in where memoir meets military history, this book offers critical, persisting lessons for today's fighting force. Read it here.
Coming Soon! “The Noncommissioned Officer: A Primer,” written by CSM (Ret.) Robert A. Nelson, EdD and CSM (Ret.) Richard J. Russell II. Read a "sneak peek" condensed essay from the tenth chapter "Applying Power to Leadership" here. The full book will be published digitally in July 2026. Follow AUP on social media for more sneak peeks!
Cohesive teams wield great influence. Read a review of “The Airborne Mafia,” a newly published book highlighting how the collective bond of early airborne leaders fundamentally shaped the US Army’s force structure, tactical doctrine, and enduring identity throughout the Cold War to the present day.
Get Involved [Opportunities for YOU to Drive Change]
We want you to write! Army University Films, in collaboration with CGSC and USMA, has produced “Writing for Army Professionals,” a dynamic video series designed to strengthen writing across the force and serve as a primer into professional writing for everyone, from junior leaders to seasoned staff officers. Whether you are already a prolific writer or just thinking about it, you definitely want to check out the videos here.
Make sure you check out the “Why I Write” series every Wednesday on the Line of Departure social media platforms. Each week we will feature a published author. Do you want to be featured? Send us a photo, a brief bio, and a short paragraph about why you write.
ALx social media will close at the end of June. Moving forward, our content will be fully integrated into AUP's channels. We highly encourage you to follow the Army University Press and Line of Departure platforms to stay engaged.