The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, along with countless special operations in the shadows, shaped a generation of warriors. Now, the fight is evolving—counterterrorism isn’t over, but near-peer conflicts loom. The next warfighter must be prepared for a battlefield that is faster, more technologically complex, and politically volatile.
Here’s what the Global War on Terror (GWOT) generation learned—and what the next generation must carry forward.
1. The Enemy Always Adapts—So Must You
We fought an enemy that didn’t wear a uniform, used IEDs instead of tanks, and turned cell phones into weapons. They adapted, so we adapted.
- The next fight won’t look like Fallujah or Helmand. It will be multi-domain—cyber, space, electronic warfare, and AI-driven tactics.
- Training must evolve beyond CQB and raids. Prepare for drone warfare, GPS-denied battlespaces, and near-peer engagements.
- The enemy will not fight fair. Learn from Ukraine—warfare is now a blend of insurgency, artillery duels, and high-tech attrition.
Lesson: Stay flexible. Train for what’s next, not what was.
2. Leadership Matters More Than Gear
We had the best weapons, armor, and air support—but gear didn’t win the war. Leadership did.
- Good leaders adapt, inspire, and make decisions under chaos. Bad ones get people killed.
- Decentralized command wins wars. Small-unit leaders must think and act independently.
- Character matters. Bravery, discipline, and integrity hold units together when everything goes to hell.
Lesson: Technology changes. Leadership never goes out of style.
3. The Hardest Battles Are in Your Mind
We learned the hard way: war doesn’t end when you come home.
- The real struggle isn’t just surviving combat—it’s living with what you’ve done and lost.
- Mental toughness is everything. Warfighters must prepare for the aftermath of war, not just the fight itself.
- Embrace the suck—but know when to get help. No warrior fights alone.
Lesson: Train your body, your mind, and your soul. The real battle is lifelong.
4. Logistics and Intel Win Wars
Kicking in doors is cool, but logistics and intelligence win battles before they start.
- The GWOT fight relied on air superiority, supply chains, and intelligence dominance.
- Near-peer fights will be different—expect contested supply lines, electronic warfare, and misinformation campaigns.
- You’re not just a trigger puller. Every warfighter must understand the big picture: supply, terrain, intelligence, and strategy.
Lesson: Know how wars are really won. It’s not just about gunfights.
5. Fight Smart: Tech and Tactics Will Keep You Alive
We learned the cost of underestimating the enemy. From ambushes to complex drone strikes, war is evolving fast.
- Drones, cyber attacks, and electronic warfare will define the next battlefield. Learn them now.
- Urban warfare is brutal. Look at Mariupol and Bakhmut—cities become death traps if you’re not prepared.
- Tactical patience wins. Not every fight needs to happen immediately. Set conditions, stack advantages, then strike.
Lesson: Be aggressive, but be smart. Technology and patience kill enemies.
6. Never Underestimate the Will to Fight
We saw it in Iraq. We saw it in Afghanistan. We see it in Ukraine now.
- A weaker force with the will to fight can grind down a superior enemy.
- The Taliban waited us out for 20 years. The Viet Cong did the same. Near-peer wars won’t be quick.
- Winning hearts and minds matters. The locals decide who wins in the long run.
Lesson: Firepower alone doesn’t win wars. Willpower does.
7. Train Like Your Life Depends On It (Because It Does)
- Muscle memory saves lives. When bullets fly, you’ll fight how you trained.
- Realism matters. Train in low light, with stress, in full gear, and with unexpected variables.
- Fitness isn’t optional. You may have to carry a buddy or fight with broken ribs. Be strong enough to survive.
Lesson: Train for chaos. Because when it comes, you won’t have time to think.
8. War is Political—Understand the Bigger Picture
GWOT warriors learned that strategy and politics matter as much as tactics.
- We won battles in Iraq and Afghanistan but lost the war at the political level.
- Near-peer fights will be fought in boardrooms, online, and through misinformation as much as on the battlefield.
- Know why you fight. Understand the mission beyond just your orders.
Lesson: The battlefield is only one part of the war. The bigger game is geopolitical.
9. Your Gear is Your Lifeline—Respect It
We lost good men because of poor maintenance, bad comms, or ignored warning signs.
- Your rifle, comms, and kit must be flawless. Small failures = dead friends.
- Complacency kills. Check your gear, your team, and your surroundings—always.
- Smart warfighters learn every tool. If it’s in your arsenal, master it.
Lesson: Treat your weapon, gear, and tech like your life depends on it—because it does.
10. You Are Part of a Legacy—Live Like It
- Warriors before you fought and died so you could be here. Honor them.
- You are not just an individual—you carry the legacy of those who came before.
- Fight with skill, honor, and discipline. Future generations will judge us by our actions.
Lesson: Live up to the standard. Be the warrior you would want at your side.
Final Words: The Next War Will Be Different—But Warfighters Stay the Same
Terrorism isn’t gone. Near-peer threats are rising. The world still needs warriors.
The GWOT generation learned these lessons the hard way. If you’re the next warfighter, take them seriously.
Train hard. Lead well. Fight smart. Stay dangerous.
