Joint Force Quarterly
Abstract
This article highlights the urgent need to reform Professional Military Education (PME) to prioritize warfighting skills and strategic thinking, as called for in the 2018 National Defense Strategy. Despite recent updates to include China and Russia-focused content, PME programs remain misaligned with their core mission of developing leaders proficient in the art and science of war.
A key challenge is the growing number of external requirements unrelated to warfighting—such as climate security and diversity initiatives—that dilute PME’s focus and weaken instructional quality. The authors recommend establishing a central authority to vet these requirements and ensure they align with warfighting priorities. Clear guidance from senior leadership, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or the Secretary of Defense, is essential to maintain PME’s focus on preparing leaders for operational and strategic readiness.
By resisting the tendency to treat PME as a “Swiss Army knife” for addressing all military challenges, PME institutions can better prepare leaders to meet the demands of Great Power competition and global threats.
Recommended Citation
Christopher M. Marcell, Gaylon L. McAlpine, Reagan E. Schaupp & Joseph L. Varuolo, "The Urgency of Warfighting Renewal: Five Principles for Today’s Professional Military Education," Joint Force Quarterly 116 (1st Quarter 2025), 51-60, https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/joint-force-quarterly/vol116/iss4/8.
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