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Modern War Institute at West Point

The Spear

Dr. Charlie Faint sits down with EOD officer Michael Villahermosa in this episode for a wide-ranging conversation about combat, leadership, professional growth, and service. Villahermosa traces his path from an unsuccessful attempt at Special Forces selection to becoming an explosive ordnance disposal technician, deploying to Afghanistan during the surge, and eventually earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal for Valor after taking charge of a ground element under fire and helping prevent fellow soldiers from walking into an ambush. Drawing on experiences as both an enlisted NCO and commissioned officer, he emphasizes calm leadership under pressure, competence, humility, accountability, mutual trust, and the importance of officers empowering their NCOs rather than micromanaging them. The discussion also explores his transition from NCO to officer through Green to Gold, his EOD Happy Captain social-media presence, the value of professional writing and the Harding Project, and his current work mentoring ROTC cadets. Throughout the episode, Villahermosa returns to a simple leadership philosophy: learn from mistakes, listen to experienced NCOs, remain humble, communicate calmly, and strive to become the kind of leader you needed when you were younger.

Chapters
 • (00:00:02) - Enter the Spear
 • (00:04:02) - "There's Some Nepotism In Sports"
 • (00:04:14) - EOD School: A Hard Job
 • (00:09:39) - Private Ready to Deploy: What Kind of Things Are Running Through Your
 • (00:12:56) - Captain McMahon Killed in Action
 • (00:17:13) - NCOs on the Afghanistan War
 • (00:18:32) - First Mission as an EOD Tech
 • (00:21:43) - Support Relationships with the Maneuver Force
 • (00:26:24) - In the Elevator With a Leader
 • (00:27:23) - EOD Happy Captain
 • (00:32:04) - Build cohesive teams through mutual trust
 • (00:32:28) - EOD National Guard EOD
 • (00:33:57) - Don't Make Abuses
 • (00:35:36) - EOD Operations in Afghanistan
 • (00:41:14) - BSMV Soldier on Disarming an ambush
 • (00:47:34) - Silver Star Recipient on His Story
 • (00:51:49) - Being That Calm Voice in the Storm
 • (00:54:11) - The Bronze Star Certificate Signed By Major General Bill Rapp
 • (00:55:37) - Green to Gold: One Soldier's Journey
 • (01:01:11) - The importance of leadership in the army
 • (01:05:31) - EOD Happy Captain: Social Media and Military Issues
 • (01:10:44) - Veteran Suicide
 • (01:13:47) - Read More: Who Are You Writing For?
 • (01:19:09) - How to Solve a Problem by Yourself
 • (01:19:40) - George Kirkpatrick on the Harding Project
 • (01:23:05) - Lt. Gen. Michael Jones on Leading the 5th Brigade R
 • (01:24:19) - West Point Service Academy Cadet
 • (01:25:39) - The Lotter Institute Lecture
 • (01:26:21) - The Spear

Explosive Ordnance Technician in Training and Combat

In this episode, Colonel Tiffany Bilderback joins MWI's Charlie Faint to discuss a career defined by coalition building, strategic leadership, and service alongside partner forces from countries like Germany, Iraq, South Korea, and Ukraine. She also describes working in the special operations community and at the Pentagon, and providing military medical assistance to the COVID-19 national response. The bulk of the episode focuses on her time as the J5, or joint plans officer, for Security Assistance Group–Ukraine. Drawing on experiences advising Iraqi forces, supporting whole-of-government pandemic operations, commanding a multifunctional medical battalion, and helping develop Ukraine’s corps-level command structure during an active armed conflict, Tiffany reflects on the importance of humility, empathy, professional military education, and building trust with allies. She shares firsthand observations of Ukrainian resilience, explains why leader development remains essential even in the midst of combat, and offers practical leadership lessons on accountability, lifelong learning, and choosing opportunities that open more doors than they close.

Chapters
 • (00:00:02) - The Spear
 • (00:00:31) - Colonel Tiffany Bratley on Her Love of History
 • (00:01:54) - Branch in the Medical Service Corps
 • (00:02:27) - Combat Medical Platoon Leader on Deployment
 • (00:05:37) - Being the S9 in Afghanistan
 • (00:08:02) - Post-Second Deployment Medical Service Officer
 • (00:11:16) - Post-9/11 soldier experiences in Korea
 • (00:15:11) - Post-Basic Training: Medical Plans in Afghanistan
 • (00:20:09) - Post-Combat Experience: Leading the Army's Warfighter Plans
 • (00:27:21) - Steve Bannon on Jared Kushner's Pizza comment
 • (00:27:55) - Commanding the 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion
 • (00:31:17) - NATO's Security Assistance Group Ukraine (SAGYU)
 • (00:33:50) - Assistance to the Ukrainian Corps in the Donbass
 • (00:37:18) - What was your day to day life
 • (00:39:27) - The Business Cycle: The J5
 • (00:40:21) - Serviceman in the Ukraine War
 • (00:43:47) - Senior Advisor to the Ukrainian Army
 • (00:46:04) - Looking back on my time in the Ukraine
 • (00:48:53) - Pre-Command Course
 • (00:51:18) - Colonels on Accountability and the Investigation Culture
 • (00:56:01) - SGT Majors in the Course
 • (00:57:46) - Colonel Tiffany Sullivan on Leading With Purpose
 • (00:59:12) - The Spear

Joint Planner for Security Assistance Group–Ukraine

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dale Hunter joins MWI's Charlie Faint on this episode to discuss how a new Army unit—the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)—transformed intelligence collection, targeting, and technology integration to compete against sophisticated antiaccess/area-denial threats in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on his experience as the 1st MDTF’s senior intelligence warrant officer and collection manager, Dale explains the unique role of warrant officers as technical experts who bridge operational gaps, describes how the unit pioneered new approaches to maritime targeting, partner integration, and innovation in the absence of established doctrine, and argues that talent—not technology—is the decisive advantage in modern warfare. The conversation also explores leadership, disciplined initiative, the importance of actively recruiting exceptional people, and the crucible of innovation that shaped the 1st MDTF’s early success and continues to influence the Army’s transformation for future conflict.

Chapters
 • (00:00:02) - Spear of the Story
 • (00:01:24) - Army Veteran on Why He Joined the Army
 • (00:03:37) - What is a Warrant Officer?
 • (00:06:44) - Are Intelligence Officers More Preferred Than Others?
 • (00:08:13) - Immersed in the Multi-Domain Task Force
 • (00:11:00) - What is a Collection Manager's Job?
 • (00:13:13) - Exploring the 2ad
 • (00:23:29) - Multiple Domain Task Force in the Philippines
 • (00:28:28) - The Multi-Domain Task Force's Talent
 • (00:32:56) - The Multi-Domain Task Force
 • (00:34:55) - The MDTF's Talent Hunt
 • (00:42:53) - Multi-Domain Commands
 • (00:50:05) - Intel Architectural Questions
 • (00:53:02) - What Does a Collection Manager's Day Look Like?
 • (00:57:17) - Warrant Officer Career Overview
 • (01:00:16) - Retired Intel Warrant Officer
 • (01:02:26) - McIntosh: The Crucible of Innovation
 • (01:05:37) - Dale Moore on His Next Job
 • (01:07:55) - USFK Commander presents medal to Modern War Institute
 • (01:08:55) - The Spear

The Crucible of Innovation in the Indo-Pacific

In this episode, MWI's Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Captain Francis Ambrogio, an Army armor officer, West Point graduate, and observer, coach, trainer (OCT) at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) in Hohenfels, Germany, to discuss how the Army is preparing for the realities of modern warfare. Drawing on experiences ranging from his service as a tank platoon leader in Korea and an aide-de-camp to a general officer to his time as a troop commander in the 10th Mountain Division and his current role as an OCT, Francis explains the unique role of the JMRC in training US and allied forces alongside NATO partners and Ukrainian forces. He shares insights into the rapid integration of drones, artificial intelligence, multinational interoperability, and the persistent challenges of the modern battlefield, including command post operations, staff proficiency, and mastering increasingly complex technology. Throughout the conversation, Francis emphasizes that success in future conflict still depends on timeless fundamentals: treating training as real, mastering the basics, building trust, listening to subordinates, and constantly learning from both allies and past experience to prepare leaders and formations for the next fight.

Chapters
 • (00:00:02) - The Spear
 • (00:00:31) - Military Brings the Military to Life
 • (00:02:33) - West Point Military Academy Experience
 • (00:03:55) - What was your first job after you got in the Army?
 • (00:04:46) - Retired Air Force Sergeant on Korea
 • (00:06:23) - Francis Ambrosio on Becoming a General's Aide
 • (00:10:30) - An Army Aid Officer's Burnout
 • (00:13:00) - Captain Olig on Becoming a Captain
 • (00:15:14) - Post-Basic Military Experience
 • (00:18:07) - What Became an OCT
 • (00:20:45) - Joint Multinational Training Center at Hohenfels
 • (00:28:02) - Drones on the Modern Battlefield
 • (00:31:36) - President Obama on Being an Ambassador for His Country
 • (00:32:56) - Cadet Honors Program
 • (00:34:43) - Training for a Future War
 • (00:36:24) - Small Unit Cohesion
 • (00:37:57) - Francis, You Are a Leader of the Army
 • (00:40:36) - A Year in the Army
 • (00:42:21) - Col. Francis Hohenfels on His 10th Year in
 • (00:44:09) - The Spear

Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

In this episode, Dr. Charlie Faint hosts Lieutenant Colonel Tiane Garner, commander of the Multi-Domain Effects Battalion (MDEB) in the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, to discuss the Army's evolving approach to operations in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on nearly two decades of service that began as a transportation officer running convoy security missions in Iraq before transitioning to military intelligence, Tiane explains how the MDEB integrates intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare, space, and unmanned systems to provide long-range reconnaissance, surveillance, and targeting capabilities in support of the joint force. She also details lessons learned from Pacific Pathways exercises in the Philippines, the challenges of innovation and rapid acquisition, the battalion's upcoming transition into the newly established Multi-Domain Command–Pacific, and the importance of developing disciplined soldiers who can adapt to emerging technologies and changing battlefield conditions. Throughout the conversation, Tiane emphasizes that while technology continues to evolve, success in future conflicts will ultimately depend on leaders and soldiers who have mastered the fundamentals, remain committed to continuous learning, and are prepared to operate effectively in dispersed, complex environments.

Chapters
 • (00:00:02) - The Story of the Profession of Arms
 • (00:00:33) - Battalion Command Officer's Background
 • (00:02:18) - Platoon Sergeant on His First Deployment to Iraq
 • (00:05:40) - Transportation Officer Gets the Boot
 • (00:06:36) - FIRST INTEL JOB
 • (00:07:50) - Battalion Commander: Multi-Domain Effectives
 • (00:10:00) - How Long Has the Battalion Been Around?
 • (00:11:06) - How do you measure your impact? How do we measure success in
 • (00:13:05) - Military Training in the Philippines
 • (00:15:33) - Deployment to the Philippines
 • (00:18:02) - Marines on Pathways: Command and Control
 • (00:21:42) - Is the MDTF selective?
 • (00:22:33) - Army Procurement: Innovation and Best Practices
 • (00:27:43) - Strengths of Cyber and EW
 • (00:29:25) - Post-Bacc commander: What prepared you for the job you
 • (00:31:30) - Battalion Commander's Top Lessons
 • (00:33:11) - Multi-Domain Command Pacific
 • (00:36:19) - Commanding Officer's last year
 • (00:37:40) - Basic Training and Career Broadening
 • (00:41:08) - Commanding General Dunford on West Point Cadets
 • (00:42:32) - MTMBTF Lecture
 • (00:44:09) - The Spear

Commanding a Multi-Domain Effects Battalion in the Indo-Pacific

In this episode of The Spear, host Dr. Charlie Faint speaks with Lieutenant Colonel Ben Blane about the rapid evolution of long-range precision fires and the Army’s shift toward multidomain operations in preparation for conflict with near-peer adversaries, particularly in the Indo-Pacific. Ben traces his career from traditional artillery roles to commanding the Army’s first long-range precision fires battalion, highlighting how emerging capabilities, such as hypersonic weapons, networked missile systems, drones, cyber, and space integration, are transforming artillery into a central component of joint, distributed warfare. He emphasizes the importance of forward positioning, interoperability with allies, and building resilient, networked kill webs that enable faster, more precise effects across domains. Drawing on real-world experimentation in places like the Philippines, Ben underscores both the successes and challenges of integrating new technologies under constant adversary observation, while stressing that future warfare will depend less on mass and more on speed, adaptability, and intelligent, interconnected munitions.

Chapters
 • (00:00:00) - The Spear
 • (00:03:59) - Commanding Engineer, Field Artillery Brigade
 • (00:07:28) - Exploring the Long Range Precision Fires Battalion
 • (00:14:26) - Army's Role in the Asia Strategy
 • (00:16:30) - Was your battalion a joint organization or was it just straight army?
 • (00:19:05) - Could the Army Sink a Ship?
 • (00:20:31) - Typhon Missile System Deployment in the Indo-
 • (00:29:14) - Typhon Deployment: Was There Any Pressure?
 • (00:33:31) - What was morale like for your soldiers in a new unit?
 • (00:35:15) - Exercises for Mission Command and Control
 • (00:41:58) - Firing Fires in the Future
 • (00:45:20) - The Spear

Long-Range Precision Fires and the Fight for the First Island Chain

In this episode hosted by MWI's Charlie Faint, Retired Command Sergeant Major Curt Donaldson reflects on a career shaped by the 75th Ranger Regiment’s relentless standards, emphasizing that true leadership begins with genuinely caring for people while holding them—and yourself—accountable. He discusses the Regiment’s culture of meritocracy, where every Ranger meets the same standard and is continuously assessed, and explains how disciplined environments and strong leadership pipelines produce exceptional leaders over time. He also describes the Regiment's fighting platoon sergeant concept, and his own rise through the ranks to become the command sergeant major of the storied 75th Ranger Regiment. Through stories from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, Donaldson highlights the importance of calm, decisive leadership in chaos, the power of shared hardship in building trust, and the enduring value of culture, communication, and personal example—lessons he now carries into mentoring veterans and his life after military service.

Chapters
 • (00:00:00) - Command Sergeant Major Kurt Donaldson on the Battle of Fallujah
 • (00:01:37) - The First Sergeant's Ball
 • (00:01:49) - What Does Being a Leader Look Like?
 • (00:03:13) - Kurt Langley on the Platoon Leader
 • (00:07:17) - The Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Ranger Regiment
 • (00:13:12) - Retiring Special Troops Battalion Commander
 • (00:13:56) - Rangers: The Abrams Charter
 • (00:20:47) - Rangers on the Army's Standards
 • (00:24:57) - Likership vs Leadership in the Army
 • (00:26:25) - Culture of 3rd Ranger Battalion
 • (00:31:46) - Leadership in the Army
 • (00:37:21) - Three 47s damaged beyond repair in 2002
 • (00:37:44) - Marine Corps Veteran on Chasing Zarqawi
 • (00:40:21) - Regimental Leadership: The Ranger Regiment
 • (00:41:49) - Retired Army Ranger Kurt Miller on Giving Back in Retirement
 • (00:44:04) - The Keynote Speech at the Infantry Ball

The Ranger Regiment's Fighting Platoon Sergeant

As a young platoon leader in Iraq during the 2003 invasion, John Faunce experienced the chaos of combat, including shifting missions, limited intelligence, and the need to rely on soldiers’ input to make decisions in uncertain conditions. His later experiences as a Special Forces officer, particularly working with Afghan commandos, emphasized leadership through trust, autonomy, and partnership, while navigating complex coalition dynamics. In this episode, he shares what he learned in those combat zones about leadership and recounts a career defined by embracing difficulty, learning from failure, and adapting under pressure.

Staying Alive in Iraq and Afghanistan

In this episode of The Spear, author, journalist, and former US Army Ranger Marty Skovlund sits down with Dr. Charlie Faint to discuss a journey from a rural upbringing in South Dakota to the front lines of the War on Terror and ultimately into a career as a storyteller, author, and professional journalist. Skovlund reflects on the influences that led him to join the Army, which include family military service, a fascination with military history, and the events of 9/11, and how those motivations carried him into the 75th Ranger Regiment.

During his time in the regiment from 2006 to 2010, he completed five combat deployments—three to Iraq and two to Afghanistan—during one of the most operationally intense periods of the conflicts. He describes an operational tempo where units conducted more than a hundred missions in a single deployment cycle and shares vivid stories of helicopter assault operations, the realities of combat deployments, and the unique culture of professionalism and competition inside Ranger units. Throughout the conversation, Skovlund emphasizes the leadership lessons he learned from experienced noncommissioned officers who demonstrated humility, accountability, and a relentless commitment to preparing their soldiers for combat.

Ranger Missions in Iraq and Afghanistan

Ayman Kafel and his family survived civil wars in Lebanon and Liberia before immigrating to the United States. Following the September 11 attacks, Ayman enlisted in the US Army and deployed to Iraq, where he served in several different combat roles, including as an Arabic interpreter and a member of his battalion commander’s personal security detail.

This wide-ranging and deeply personal interview examines themes of identity, service, and leadership, highlighting how Ayman's immigrant background, language skills, and cultural fluency contributed to his effectiveness as a noncommissioned officer and trusted adviser. He reflects candidly on both effective and ineffective leadership, emphasizing the importance of trust, empowerment, and genuine care for soldiers, rather than rigid enforcement of standards. The discussion also addresses the long-term psychological effects of combat, shortcomings in early post-deployment reintegration, and the stigma surrounding mental health. Ayman also explains how writing, physical fitness, and philosophical study are essential tools for healing after war. Ultimately, the interview connects Ayman's military experiences to his approach to policing and leadership today: managing situations, leading people, and treating those under one’s command as human beings first.

Combat Interpreter in Iraq

In October 2008, Maj. Nick Eslinger was a lieutenant on his first deployment as a platoon leader in Iraq. While on patrol one day, he turned his head just in time to see an incoming grenade. He only had time to react reflexively, and what he did likely saved his life and those of his soldiers.

Split-Second Decision

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