<Thread> I've no doubt many military strategists can write great literature reviews of strategic theory.

But let's focus more on how they apply those theories to solve real problems for our nation. 1/

Let's focus on ensuring the general officer corps has a better developed sense of strategic theory, and that generals understand how to access the talent in their organizations. 2/

Let's make strategists sharper, more concise writers. 3/

Let's create incentives that identify and retain strategic thinkers in our military. 4/

Let's develop our strategists so that they are not only competent military strategists in terms of planning, but also as effective advisors who can operate effectively in a political context. 5/

I understand there is a responsibility for self-development, and the development of military genius is a noble goal.

But we also must recognize and confront our institutional failures. What about our doctrine, training and education, personnel policies, concepts, staffing..? 6/

Could we promote a General George Marshall today? Would we?

I doubt it. But why not?

What needs to change? 7/

How do we create real accountability for our performance and our ability or inability to achieve strategic goals?

Are there things we can do to better hold ourselves to account? What are they? 8/

Our strategic performance has been questionable for several decades. The US position remains exceptionally strong, but it is growing relatively weaker.

Strategic missteps will be more costly.

Are we ready to think and lead in that environment? 9/

Have errors of civilian leadership contributed to these problems? Sure. Almost certainly.

But what about our performance? The things we can control.

Have we accepted responsibility for our role in US strategic performance? What do we need to change? 10/

Our institutional reform efforts often don't seem urgent.

But they are. And change is extremely difficult in large organizations.

So we need to capitalize on our opportunities now. 11/

Just to be clear, this is in no way bashing many of the great military and civilian instructors at our PME institutions doing a great job educating our officers every day.

I think these problems are larger than that. 12/

And I am not somehow bitter at the Army or the military. I love it, and I think we have great people.

I've personally done well in the Army, and think I c/would still be promoted; I am retiring for reasons that seem right for myself and my family. 13/

But I am also reflecting on my experiences in uniform.

Both my personal and professional failures.

And I am trying to think about what more I can do to make our military stronger and more effective, both in my last few months in the Army and after I retire. 14/

Because I think we urgently need to make changes for our own institutions and the nation. 15/15