An examination of what it means to command at the very highest levels of war, focusing on the U.S. military experience from World War I until today. The course will use the case-study method to draw out lessons about the nature of command at the theater level, and how it has changed over the past 110 years.

The framing construct for the course will be the change in the U.S. military from a small constabulary force on the eve of the First World War to the establishment of the national security state and a large standing military following the end of the Second World War, and the long struggle with the Soviet Union that ensued. Against this backdrop, we will examine how senior military leaders dealt with operational, strategic, diplomatic, technological, and political issues.

Image: USCENTCOM commander visits FOB North in Egypt

Gen. McKenzie on Afghanistan, Iran, & China

Faculty

Gen. Kenneth F. McKenzie Jr.

Gen. Kenneth ‘Frank’ McKenzie Jr. is the former Commander of United States Central Command. He led a distinguished 42-year military career, commanding at multiple levels within the Marine Corps and serving on the Joint Staff. His leadership roles included commanding the First Battalion, Sixth Marines, and the 22nd MEU (SOC) during combat deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

Preview the Syllabus by Week/Session

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