By Emily Lopez
No crap, there I was—a newly promoted Major, just two weeks shy of graduating with my Master’s degree from the National Defense University. The next logical step was clear—Civil Affair Company Command. Then came the plot twist: an unexpected opportunity to serve as the military editor-in-chief for my branch journal, Special Warfare. Frankly, I was terrified. Accepting meant deviating significantly from the traditional career path I envisioned. Despite my fears, something deep within told me this was an opportunity I could not pass up.
Just one year later, I confidently say that accepting the Harding Fellowship proved to be the most rewarding assignment of my career.
It opened doors to experiences and opportunities I never anticipated. I’m certainly not perfect, and there is much to accomplish still, but the reflections below represent my earnest attempt to capture the lessons learned and hopefully encourage a new generation of leaders to answer the call of professional writing.
Behind the Editor’s Desk: Navigating Ideas, Trust, and Stewardship
Professional writing and publishing within the Army is fundamentally a “people business.” Early in the fellowship, I discovered firsthand that writing is not simply about crafting sentences but connecting with people and effectively curating ideas. Each submitted article represents someone’s unique experiences, insightful lessons, or deeply personal reflections. My responsibility was to guide these authors, helping shape their messages so they could resonate clearly across the broadest possible audience.
Writing, in essence, is communication in its most impactful form, bridging experiences and fostering shared understanding throughout the force. Writing during this critical interwar period is especially vital, allowing leaders to reflect, innovate, and prepare strategically for the next fight.
Quality in professional writing is paramount, and editors play a critical role in ensuring clarity, relevance, and impact. During my tenure as a Harding Fellow, I served as the military member of the editorial staff, acting as the connective tissue linking authors directly to the operational force. My role was to ensure that published content remained timely, relevant, and strategically beneficial to advancing the Army Special Operations Forces (ARSOF) and Joint community. Experienced leaders, subject matter experts, and thoughtful practitioners entrusted my co-editor and I with the delicate task of refining their narratives. We provided suggestions, restructured arguments, and clarified messages to amplify each author’s voice and ensure it was well received by the intended audience. I remain deeply humbled by the authors’ immense trust in our editorial team.
Serving as a Harding Fellow requires both tangible and intangible skills. Foremost among these is the ability to write clearly and persuasively, translating complex ideas into accessible insights. Equally important is proactive outreach—connecting with diverse communities across various Centers of Excellence, Army divisions, and beyond, ensuring contributions reflect the full spectrum of the Army’s professional experiences. Fellows must adeptly manage editorial processes, conceptualize timelines, and balance multiple projects simultaneously. Above all, fellows should possess a deep and unwavering desire to steward their profession. This profound motivation guided me through every challenge, reinforcing the broader purpose of the fellowship—to cultivate professional discourse within our ranks.
Answer the Call: Apply for the Harding Fellowship
Leaving this role will be particularly challenging. I will be hard-pressed to find another assignment that offers comparable exposure to the Army’s most thoughtful and talented leaders. Serving as a Harding Fellow allowed me to witness firsthand the significant impact professional writing can have across the Army.
This fellowship gave me a seat at tables with the Army’s highest senior leaders, including the Chief of Staff of the Army and the Sergeant Major of the Army. I contributed directly to rewriting aspects of professional military education, attended premier events like the Association of the United States Army, and networked with influential Department of Defense and industry trailblazers. I also had the privilege of traveling to Army units, both at home and abroad to brief division-level leaders and Soldiers. Additionally, this role enabled me to publish articles and engage in professional discussions on prominent platforms such as War on the Rocks, including participating on panels alongside distinguished thought leaders like Mr. Peter Singer. Could I have eventually achieved these milestones in my career? Possibly—but probably not. I owe these transformative experiences entirely to the Harding Fellowship.
As I prepare for command, I recognize that the insights gained through this fellowship shaped me into a more effective and well-rounded leader—who profoundly appreciates the power of the written word. Serving as a Harding Fellow carries the momentous responsibility of ensuring the Harding Project legacy survives and thrives through our Army branch journals. As a Harding Fellow, you are uniquely positioned to solicit, curate, and disseminate critical knowledge across the Army.
Ultimately, my experience as a Harding Fellow reinforced a crucial truth reflected across the Army: effective communication is foundational to our collective success. The recently updated Army Regulation (AR) 600-100 highlights the importance of effective communication, explicitly stating that leaders must communicate ideas and listen effectively. Recognizing that both written and verbal communication are foundational, AR 600-100 emphasizes continuous reading, writing, and learning as essential practices for leaders to fulfill their responsibilities and steward the Army profession. Writing is now a critical expectation for all leaders—not just officers—ensuring the Army maintains its competitive edge against adversaries.
This May, I encourage those interested to apply for the Harding Project Fellowship and drive meaningful change in the Army. Select Captains, Master Sergeants, and CW4s will earn a master’s degree at the University of Kansas and then serve as military editors for their branch journals. Click here to learn more about the program—and use the contact information there to let Army University Press know you are interested.
Answer the call, pick up the pen, and steward the future of our profession!
Major Emily Lopez currently serves as a Harding Project Fellow at the Special Operations Center of Excellence at Fort Bragg, NC, where she is the co-Military Editor-in-Chief of Special Warfare. Emily commissioned as an Ordnance officer and transitioned to Civil Affairs in 2019, spending most of her SOF career focused on the European area of responsibility. She served in multiple roles, including team leader, battalion planner, and special operations task force executive officer during the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Emily is a self-described professional yapper passionate about people and fostering professional discourse across the Joint Force.
