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.