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.

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 Zach Olson, Brigadier General Thaddeus Fineran reflects on an unplanned but ultimately life-defining Army career, shaped by opportunity, adaptability, and a systems-based approach to leadership. From his entry into military service through ROTC to leadership positions in the aviation branch and ultimately senior roles within US Northern Command, General Fineran emphasizes the importance of understanding complex systems from aircraft operations to global force management, and how those systems directly impact readiness at every level of command. He offers insight into the unique challenges faced by National Guard soldiers attempting to balance civilian and military careers, highlighting the demands placed on time, families, and professional development. Ultimately, he underscores that leadership is built through trust, preparation, and perspective, reminding young officers that while responsibility grows with rank, so does the ability to influence meaningful outcomes.

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.

General Xavier Brunson is the commander of United Nations Command, ROK/US Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea. In this episode, he joins Cadet Olivia Hanson for a wide-ranging discussion about leadership, deterrence, alliances, and the strategic future of the Indo-Pacific. He explains the complex structure of US and allied military forces in Korea, the strategic significance of the Indo-Pacific region, and why alliances remain America’s greatest asymmetric advantage in an era of renewed great power competition. The conversation also explores multidomain operations, emerging technologies, and the timeless fundamentals of warfare: protection, posture, and sustainment.

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 Sarah Dudley sits down with Cadet Orion van Buskirk to reflect on an unexpected path into the Army that became a 27-year career shaped by leadership, adaptability, and a passion for people. She discusses her role leading US Army Recruiting Divison, emphasizing that recruiting is not a numbers game but a deliberate effort to identify and develop the right talent for the Army of 2040. Drawing on experiences from managing millions in cash during early combat operations to navigating coalition dynamics and emerging technologies like digital assets, she highlights the importance of clarity, ownership, and removing organizational friction. General Dudley underscores that the Army’s enduring value lies in its ability to build leaders, arguing that its relevance to the next generation depends on communicating that mission in a rapidly evolving technological and social landscape.

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 Nik Badinelli interviews retired General Daniel Allyn. Through their discussion, General Allen reflects on his unconventional path to West Point and a career defined by leadership at every level, emphasizing that true readiness is rooted in rigorous, repetitive training that prepares soldiers for the realities of combat. He underscores the importance of mastering fundamentals, adapting to resource constraints, and prioritizing people, arguing that effective leadership, whether in combat or the corporate world, begins with trust, character, and the development of subordinates. Drawing on experiences from Iraq and Afghanistan, Allen highlights the enduring nature of warfare despite technological advances, stressing that while AI and drones are transformative, the core demands on soldiers remain unchanged. He also discusses the challenges of decision-making, the loneliness of command, and the necessity of “leading up” to inform senior leaders. Ultimately, his advice to young officers centers on authenticity, disciplined preparation, and a relentless commitment to their soldiers, reinforcing that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility grounded in values and continuous learning.