Commanders: A Deeper Understanding of the Protection Warfighting Function

Published 1/2/2026
By Major Joshua Tosi
This article explores the critical importance of the protection warfighting function for commanders, emphasizing its role in safeguarding personnel, equipment, and infrastructure in modern multidomain operations. Using lessons from the Russia-Ukraine conflict and recent U.S. Army exercises, it highlights how commanders must integrate protection strategies across all staff sections to anticipate and counter evolving threats. Ultimately, the article argues that a deep understanding of protection enables commanders to make informed decisions, preserve combat power, and ensure mission success in complex operational environments.
 

Further Defining Protection Support Planning

Published 1/2/2026
By Lieutenant Colonel Michael Carvelli
This article examines the evolving concept of protection support planning within military operations, emphasizing the need for clearer definitions and structured approaches. It discusses the challenges faced by planners in integrating protection measures across various domains and highlights best practices for improving coordination and effectiveness. Ultimately, the article calls for continued refinement of protection support planning to better safeguard forces and mission success.
 

10 Tips for Improving Your Protection Working Group

Published 9/18/2025
By Major Cale W. Farquhar
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
 

Can't Measure a Negative: The Protection Warfighting Function and Large-Scale Combat Operations

Published 9/18/2025
By Colonel Robert R. Rodock
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

 

Failure to Consider Protection in Large-Scale Combat Operations: The Siverskyi Donets River Crossing

Published 9/16/2025
By Major Peter J. Witcomb
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
 

Protection: The Australian Army Combat Engineer Regiment Approach

Published 9/11/2025
By Major Peter J. Witcomb
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
 

Fight to Protect the Force

Published 9/11/2025
By Lieutenant Colonel Bryan B. Ault and Lieutenant Colonel Douglas D. Bazil
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Protection: The Fabric of the Warfighting Functions

Published 9/10/2025
By Lieutenant Colonel Michael Carvelli
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
 

Enabling Convergence: How Engineers Protect the Multidomain Battlespace

Published 9/10/2025
By Chief Warrant Officer Three Aren Hansen
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
 

Protection in the Modern Battlespace: A Conceptual Approach for Battalion and Brigade Staffs

Published 5/9/2025
By Captain Desmond A. Edwards
The 2024 revision of ADP 3-37 consolidates the 16 protection tasks into four categories. This concept-driven approach makes the protection warfighting function more accessible and enables better integration into staffs below the division level.
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Prioritizing Protection: Creating Synchronized Success

Published 5/8/2025
By Sergeant First Class Mark D. Moore
This article emphasizes the importance integrating the protection war fighting function into military operations emphasizing the need for effective communication, collaboration, and proper training in protection capabilities and limitations.
*The contents of this article do not represent the official views of, nor are they endorsed by, the U.S. Army, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.

Published 2/14/2025
By Major Luke J. Grieder

This article describes how the 1st Armored Division addresses protection during large-scale combat operations. The author shares lessons learned and best practices that emerged from the preparation and execution of Warfighter Exercise 25-01, conducted in October 2024.

Joint Protection Efforts

Published 12/16/2024
By Master Sergeant Russell W. Haney
Force protection and force health protection are critical requirements in joint operations. Through knowledge and training, all forces execute joint protection efforts in all joint operational areas.

 

The Application of the U.S. Army RM Process is Broken

Published 12/10/2024
By Major Courtney A. Zimmerman
This article discusses doctrinal Army risk management processes and describes methods that units could use to incorporate risk management into their operations, thereby changing their organizational culture.
 

Impact of the 52d BEB Mounted CBRN R&S Platoon Throughout KRF-13

Published 12/5/2024
By First Lieutenant Addison S. Sanders
The 52d BEB CBRN R&S Platoon recently participated in KRF-13, where it conducted a series of individual, collective, and combined training exercises to ensure proficiency in assessing, mitigating, and protecting against CBRN hazards and to maintain its ability to “Fight Tonight and Win.” While deployed to South Korea, members of the platoon also took advantage of several opportunities to learn about and experience the unique culture of the country.