US Army Leaders Urge Soldiers to Focus on Warfighting, Not PowerPoint Presentations

• US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll visited soldiers in Alaska training for Arctic warfare.
• He praised their focus on readiness and cold weather tactics, saying he wants more of that.
• Military leaders have made warfighter lethality a top priority.

What does the US Army secretary want to see more of? Soldiers out in the field, "out in the world figuring out what we need to do as an Army," not making PowerPoints, he told Business Insider.

US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, a previous tank officer and Iraq War vet who assumed his role as the highest-ranking civilian leader of the branch just two months back, toured the 11th Airborne Division in Alaska earlier this week.

The visit conveyed Driscoll's top priorities.

In Alaska, where temperatures still dip into the 30s during spring and plummet as low as 30 degrees below zero in winter, U.S. troops remain constantly prepared to face their challenges. the difficulties of combat in the Arctic region , essential as the US aims to redirect its attention towards the Indo-Pacific region.

During a conversation with BI, Driscoll and Major General Joseph Hillbert, who commands the U.S. Army Alaska, discussed various topics. 11th Airborne Division spoke about how the troops and their operations in Alaska match up with the objectives set by U.S. military leaders during President Donald Trump’s tenure, focusing heavily on enhancing "lethality"—a commonly used term at the Pentagon that essentially refers to improving combat readiness.

What I observed with the 11th Airborne Division was centered around" multiple crucial queries, Driscoll stated. "In case of an armed confrontation, how can the equipment provided to the Army assist 'in ensuring our survival and enabling us to neutralize the adversary?'

Troops stationed in Alaska, whom we have previously seen in operation with BI, are now assessing the impact of extremely cold temperatures, severe conditions, and continuous exposure to challenging environments on their equipment, weaponry, aircraft, gear, and various supplies.

Driscoll stated about the 11th Airborne Division, “They weren’t preoccupied with elements such as PowerPoint presentations or enhancing their output for the Pentagon,” he told Business Insider, adding, “Instead, they were enduring harsh conditions in the cold for their country.”

Testing through trial and error conducted both in the field and via programs such as Soldier Touch Points for an immersive assessment and feedback process has long been recognized as crucial for fostering innovation and facilitating iterative development.

On the contrary, PowerPoint presentations, although a valuable tool, frequently come across as indicators of dreary, demotivating experiences. military briefings and trainings that can oversimplify or unnecessarily complicate ideas and concepts.

These types of critiques have persisted for more than ten years. Even before James Mattis served as Trump's initial Secretary of Defense, during his time as a general in the Marine Corps, he stated that "PowerPoint renders us unintelligent."

During that 2010 speech, H.R. McMaster, an Army general who would go on to serve as Trump's national security advisor, stated PowerPoint He stated that it "can be perilous as it may foster a false sense of comprehension and mastery." He also mentioned that "certain issues we face cannot be simplified into straightforward solutions."

Driscoll and other military leaders aim to convey that outdoor exercises hold significant value. These activities do more than just promote warfighter readiness, However, they also enable those making decisions to receive input for subsequent actions and procurement strategies.

The U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, alongside other American military leaders, has prioritized enhancing readiness and lethality. These objectives have been consistent aims across past administrations as well, serving as broad metrics for assessing defense initiatives.

This concentration within the Department of Defense has been accompanied by reductions in programs considered superfluous, like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, endeavors to rejuvenate the industrial sector, along with modifications to the defense department's budget.

When nominating Hegseth, he made a call for reviving the warrior ethos In the military and has since advocated for that.

"As American fighters, we stand ready to protect our nation. Our principles will remain stringent, unwavering, and explicit. The power of our armed forces lies in our cohesion and common goals," stated Hegseth after his approval. Since then, he has pushed for discarding programs such as Diversity Equity Inclusion (DEI) and those focused on climate change.

In Alaska, troops have been developing the abilities required for combat in Arctic conditions. The Army has progressively acknowledged the area’s strategic importance, particularly with Russia and China becoming more engaged. In 2021, the Army published its Arctic strategy and has since focused on enhancing these competencies.

During their Joint Pacific Multilateral Training Center exercise Last year, the 11th Airborne Division and forces from more than a dozen international allies and partners conducted war games, adjusting to sub-zero temperatures and uncertain circumstances.

The severe conditions necessitate changes to various systems—everything ranging from equipment to firearms, as well as vehicles and helicopters, must undergo modifications and constant surveillance.

During the discussion with BI, Driscoll pointed out several such adaptations, mentioning that numerous elements—such as rubber, fuel, and touchscreen displays—are impacted by low temperatures.

"What these units are doing all through winter is removing various pieces of gear to test their functionality," he explained. This crucial learning phase helps the military as soldiers regain their expertise in cold-weather combat after years focused primarily on conflicts in the Middle East.

While visiting Alaska, Driscoll not only watched but also joined in an airborne operation and was updated on the state’s crucial role strategically. Additionally, he saw various capabilities of the 11th Airborne Division, including their specially designed snow-ready equipment.

More than assets, operating in the Arctic also requires a specific mindset from personnel to innovate in real time, soldiers told BI at last year's warfighting exercise. It's a very tough operating environment.

Keeping a prepared combat unit stationed in Alaska is part of the The U.S. military's emphasis on the Indo-Pacific region, along with the Arctic area, . Leadership has marked both regions as crucially significant for the Army and the broader U.S. military overall.

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