“Monday Musings” are designed to get quick, insightful thoughts based around three questions from those interested in strategy, from the most experienced and lauded, to our newest thinkers/writers.

1 — Who had the greatest impact on you intellectually (whether through writing, mentorship, etc.)?

I’m going to cheat and say two names, both from the U.S. Army War College’s Basic Strategic Art Program. For matters of intellectual foundations, I was a student of Dr. Mike Matheny. For matters of application, COL(Ret) Steve Kidder left an indelible imprint on the way I practiced and later taught campaign planning and operational art.

2 — What book (fiction, history, or academic) do you think best explains strategy?

Of the books I’ve seen, first one that comes to mind is Colin Gray’s The Strategy Bridge. (Yes, I know this is being published on a site that pays homage to that book too.) 

3 — What do you want your legacy to be?

Supporting the development of capable practitioners of strategy and operational art to lead their organizations through the challenges to come.

Francis Park is a U.S. Army strategist with duty at the Center of Military History. A graduate of the U.S. Army School of Advanced Military Studies, he holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of Kansas. After armored cavalry and general staff assignments, he has served in campaign planning, strategy, and policy capacities in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Army Staff.

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