Accelerating Transformation: Army Leaders Emphasize the Importance of Soldier Feedback and Industry Partnerships

Army transformation cannot be solely focused on developing new equipment, but must cover the entire DOTMLPF-P spectrum, including doctrine, organization, training, materiel, leadership and education, personnel, facilities, and policy. The Army's Undersecretary, Michael Obadal, emphasized the need to modernize the organic industrial base, transform acquisition and business practices, and bolster the Army's installations to meet the demands of a rapidly changing technological landscape.

At the Association of the U.S. Army's 2025 Annual Meeting and Exposition, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James Mingus and Undersecretary Michael Obadal highlighted the critical role of soldier feedback in accelerating transformation. They stressed that the Army's goal is to make the Army a little bit better every day, with a focus on putting soldiers first.

Key Takeaways:

• The Army must prioritize soldier feedback in its transformation efforts, ensuring that soldiers have the right doctrine, organizational design, leaders, training, and equipment to execute their missions.
• The DOTMLPF-P spectrum must be considered when developing new technologies, including modernizing the organic industrial base, transforming acquisition and business practices, and bolstering the Army's installations.
• Soldier health and wellness are critical to the Army's success, with a focus on physical fitness, tactical soundness, and mental strength.
• The Army's transformation cannot be done alone, requiring expertise from industry partners to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies.
• The Army's goal is to make the Army a little bit better every day, with a focus on continuous transformation.

Statistics:

• The average soldier currently carries between 90 and 100 pounds of equipment, without a rucksack (Mingus).
• The Army has 23 plants, arsenals, and depots that have been around since World War II, which require modernization and scaling up when needed (Obadal).
• The Army's mission is to make the Army a little bit better every day, with a focus on continuous transformation (Mingus).

Sources:

• Association of the United States Army. (n.d.). Army Transformation Cannot Just Be About New Equipment, Under Secretary Says.
• Association of the U.S. Army. (2025). From the Foxhole to the Factory: Achieving Total Battlefield Dominance.