Is maneuver warfare truly dead in modern combat? Tom Galvin sits down with Carlisle Scholars Kevin Krupski, Michael Moore, and Erick Buckner to examine the conventional wisdom that defense dominates the modern battlefield, making stalemate inevitable. Drawing on historical case studies and current events like the conflict in Ukraine, the team explains that it is possible to overcome tough defenses and get forces moving again. But doing so requires militaries must build system that combine classic military tactics with modern tools, deep planning, smart deception, and strong supply lines. Restoring battlefield movement is less about finding new gadgets and more about shifting strategies, adapting leadership, and mastering teamwork across every branch of service.
At the end of the day, combined arms with new technology integrated, executed by disciplined formations is the key to resuming the offense.
Podcast: Download
Erick Buckner is a lieutenant colonel and a Field Artillery officer in the U.S. Army. He is a graduate of the AY26 Resident Course at the U.S. Army War College and a member of the Carlisle Scholars Program.
Kevin Krupski is a lieutenant colonel and an Army Infantry officer with 21 years of experience across operational assignments to 3rd Infantry Division, 10th Mountain Division, 25th Infantry Division, and First Army. He taught in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, was the Professor of Military Science at Dickinson College, and holds a PhD in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. He is a graduate of the AY26 Resident Course at the U.S. Army War College and a member of the Carlisle Scholars Program.
Michael Moore is a commander and a Naval intelligence officer in the United States Navy. His operational assignments include tours with Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA-192), Amphibious Squadron 8 (CPR-8) and he conducted multiple deployments to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command as a Department Lead and Collection Manager, and with Mine Countermeasures Squadron 5 (MCMROM-5) / CTF-52 while they conducted operations in the Arabian Gulf. CDR Moore will join the EUCOM Headquarters staff in the J2 department. He is a graduate of the AY26 Resident Course at the U.S. Army War College and a member of the Carlisle Scholars Program.
Tom Galvin is Associate Professor of Resource Management in the Department of Command Leadership and Management (DCLM) as well as the leadership and management instructor for the Carlisle Scholars Program. at the United States Army War College. He is the author of the monograph Leading Change in Military Organizations and companion Experiential Activity Book.
Photo Credit: Created by Gemini