Joint Force Quarterly
Abstract
This article argues that Professional Military Education must renew its focus on the art and science of warfighting in response to senior Department of Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff guidance. Although PME programs have added content on China, Russia, and other contemporary challenges, the authors contend that topical updates alone do not address deeper concerns about whether military education is adequately preparing leaders for future conflict. They present five principles for reform: make warfighting the central purpose of PME; define and prioritize warfighting-related study more clearly; recognize PME degrees as professional degrees; treat joint and Service leadership as PME’s primary customers; and align faculty expertise with the warfighting mission. The article also warns that proliferating external curriculum requirements can dilute program focus and instructional quality, and recommends stronger top-down guidance and a central mechanism for reviewing new requirements. Ultimately, the authors call for PME institutions to preserve supporting subjects while ensuring that strategy, operational art, joint planning, military history, wargaming, and other warfighting competencies remain at the core of military education.
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