Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Brigadier General Matthew Ross, commander of Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) 401, joins host Cadet Zack Pelosky in the West Point Class of 1974 Recording Studio to discuss the rapidly evolving threat posed by unmanned aircraft systems and the challenge of building effective counterdrone capabilities across the joint and interagency community. General Ross reflects on how the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks shaped his decision to become an infantry officer and influenced a career spent confronting adaptive threats, before explaining how JIATF 401 brings together the military services and federal agencies to address the growing drone threat. He emphasizes the need for layered defenses that go beyond simply defeating individual drones to targeting the networks, launch sites, and operators behind them; discusses the increasing role of directed-energy systems; and draws lessons from the military’s experience adapting to the threat of improvised explosive devices. Throughout the conversation, General Ross returns to themes of rapid experimentation, prudent risk, shared understanding, organizational culture, and the importance of teaching future leaders not simply what to think, but how to think in an era when technology is changing faster than military institutions can predict. Ultimately, he defines JIATF 401’s measure of success as rapidly delivering state-of-the-art counterdrone capabilities, along with the training, authorities, and infrastructure necessary for warfighters to employ them effectively at home and abroad.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode with host Cadet Olivia Hanson, retired Brigadier General Rebecca Halstead reflects on a remarkable Army career that began when her mother encouraged her to apply to West Point as the academy was first opening its doors to women. A member of the Class of 1981, Halstead discusses the challenges of being among West Point’s earliest female graduates, the perseverance that carried her through those experiences, and the lessons she later applied while leading soldiers from the company level through service as a commanding general in Iraq. She shares her belief that leaders must first lead themselves, explains why demanding high standards should never mean demeaning people, and describes her enduring STEADFAST leadership philosophy, built around values including discipline, accountability, teamwork, faith, family, and friends. Halstead also speaks candidly about the role faith has played throughout her life and leadership, including a powerful experience counseling a soldier grieving the death of a friend in combat. She closes with advice for cadets and young officers: Never stop learning, remain grateful and humble, develop others without worrying about whether they surpass you, be true to yourself, and measure your progress against the person you were yesterday rather than against everyone around you.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, retired Major General Doug Crissman reflects on more than three decades of Army service and the leadership lessons that endured from West Point through combat, senior command, service alongside the British Army, and life after the uniform. In this conversation with host Cadet Orion van Buskirk, General Crissman argues that great leadership rests less on rank or authority than on authentic connection, competence, trust, and a willingness to keep learning. He discusses why mission command remains an aspirational goal that leaders must continually rebuild, why leader development should happen every day rather than during designated events, and how setbacks often provide more valuable lessons than successes. He also offers a candid look at retirement and purpose, describing his continuing work mentoring military and civilian leaders—and the grounding experience of simply being “Doug” while selling outdoor gear in his post-Army years. General Crissman's message for leaders at every stage is straightforward: focus on what matters, invest in people, learn continuously, and find the work and relationships that fill your tank.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson speaks with Major General James Bartholomees, the commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, about the leadership philosophy that has guided him from the Ranger Regiment to division command. The conversation also covers the Army's ongoing process of transformation for future conflict, and the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on decades of experience, General Bartholomees explains why discipline, leader initiative, and strengthening soldiers through personal connection remain timeless leadership principles, even as the character of warfare rapidly evolves through developments like drones, electronic warfare, and artificial intelligence. The discussion concludes with an exploration of wide-ranging topics such as deterrence in the Pacific, the lessons of Ukraine, Operation Pathways, the importance of sustainment, and why tomorrow's leaders must combine mastery of fundamentals with curiosity, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

This episode features Major General Wolfe Davidson, commander of the US Air Force's training enterprise, in a wide-ranging discussion with Cadet Zach Olson about leadership, joint warfighting, innovation, and preparing the next generation of airmen for an increasingly contested battlefield. Drawing on more than three decades as a special tactics officer and senior leader—including assignments supporting US Space Command, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the chief of staff of the Air Force—Davidson explains why modern warfare demands leaders who understand all domains of conflict, embrace joint and coalition operations, and balance innovation with disciplined execution. He shares insights on transforming Air Force basic training for the first time since the Korean War, building trust and accountability within military organizations, the importance of broadening assignments and professional education, and why understanding the why behind the mission is essential for developing adaptive leaders capable of winning tomorrow's wars.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, host Cadet Justin Rodriguez is joined by Brigadier General Sean Crockett, deputy commanding general of US Army Cadet Command. He reflects on a career that began with a family legacy of military service and an unconventional path from Navy ROTC to the Army Chemical Corps, sharing candid lessons on leadership, mentorship, and mission command. Drawing on assignments from platoon leader to senior command, Crockett discusses the importance of clear commander's intent, building trust through actions that match words, relying on experienced noncommissioned officers, and cultivating mentors who invest in future leaders. During the conversation, he emphasizes that leadership is a contact sport. He argues that technology and artificial intelligence can enhance decision-making but can never replace the human relationships that underpin effective leadership. And he closes by encouraging cadets to seek every opportunity to lead, develop confidence through repetition, and remember that success as a lieutenant depends not only on technical competence but also on earning the trust of soldiers and leading them with authenticity.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Zach Olson sits down with retired General Robert Brown, the former commander of US Army Pacific and current president of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA), to discuss leadership, innovation, and a commitment to service. Reflecting on his journey from a basketball recruit at West Point to commanding soldiers around the world, General Brown shares lessons on embracing failure as a pathway to growth, fostering innovation by empowering leaders at the tactical edge, and maintaining the Army’s human advantage in an era of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. He also offers candid insights on mentorship, the importance of selfless service, and AUSA’s role in connecting the Army with industry, communities, and the American public. For leaders of all ranks, General Brown’s message is clear: Give the Army your full commitment, learn from setbacks, and enjoy the remarkable journey of leading soldiers.

Welcome back to Five Questions for a General, a production of the Modern War Institute at West Point. This series features specially selected cadet hosts who are given an incredible professional development opportunity—to sit down with senior military officers and ask carefully crafted questions about everything from leadership to their unique experiences while serving, to their expectations about the future of war.

In this episode, Cadet Donovan Scott sits down with Lieutenant General Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of America's First Corps, to discuss leadership, deterrence, and the challenges of operating across the vast Indo-Pacific theater. General McFarlane reflects on his journey from ROTC cadet at James Madison University to senior Army commander, sharing lessons learned from deployments to Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria. He explains how geography, contested logistics, and coalition operations are reshaping the Army's approach to warfare, emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in an era of strategic competition, and highlights the enduring value of trust, teamwork, and leading from the front. Throughout the conversation, General McFarlane offers practical insights for current and future leaders on building cohesive teams, embracing change, adapting at the speed of need, and preparing for the evolving character of conflict.