“Everything you love about the U.S. Army resides in U.S. Army Forces Command,” the Army command’s general said June 5 as part of a presentation about the need for “boots on the ground” in today’s uncertain world, underscoring FORSCOM’s pivotal readiness role in preparing Soldiers and units for multidomain operations

Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, spoke during the seventh installment of the Strategic Landpower Dialogue series, sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in partnership with the Association of the U.S. Army. The event, held at CSIS headquarters and livestreamed on YouTube, focused on Army force readiness, emerging threats and the transformation of warfighting strategies in an evolving global security landscape.

Gen. Andrew Poppas, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, spoke during the seventh installment of the Strategic Landpower Dialogue series, sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in partnership with the Association of the U.S. Army. The event focused on Army force readiness, emerging threats and the transformation of warfighting strategies in an evolving global security landscape.

Poppas, discussed the Army’s enduring commitment to landpower readiness and adaptability in the face of dynamic global challenges.

"You may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it and wipe it clean of life—but if you desire to defend it, protect it, and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men in the mud,” Poppas reminded the audience from a famous Korean War history book. “I think that’s as true then as it is today and as we move forward.”

Poppas, who is in charge of military readiness for much of the U.S. Army, also spoke about the Army’s “Transformation In Contact”, an initiative Poppas described as a rapid, 12-to-18-month process to integrate new technologies and tactics into Army operations.

“I’m a big fan of Transformation In Contact because of the speed in which we’re executing,” Poppas said, explaining how TIC allows FORSCOM to adapt tactical lessons learned from ongoing conflicts -- such as the war in Ukraine -- to enhance capabilities like armor and light-vehicle operations. Transformation In Contact allows the Army to test and refine equipment and organizational structures, based on real-time feedback from commanders.

Moderated by Dr. Tom Karako, a senior fellow at CSIS’s International Security Program and director of the Missile Defense Project, the discussion stressed the critical role of landpower in modern warfare.

Poppas also highlighted the Army’s ongoing role in the Indo-Pacific, emphasizing forward presence, long-range fires to support naval operations, and sustainment of pre-positioned military logistics to maintain operational endurance.

Drawing from ongoing global events, Poppas referenced a recent attack in Russia as an example of evolving warfare, stressing the importance of leadership and the “will to fight” in strengthening resilient formations.

“It’s about winning trust and empowering our leaders,” he said, noting that tactical lessons from ongoing conflicts worldwide are shaping the Army’s approach to readiness and leadership development.

Poppas said FORSCOM’s core purpose is warfighting and winning. He outlined the command’s “Four Wins” principles: “1. Win trust and empower leaders; 2. Win the first fight; 3. Win the future fight; 4. and Win as a balanced, Total Army.” These four driving principles for FORSCOM are synchronized with the Chief of Staff of the Army’s top focus area: warfighting.

Poppas spoke a little over a week prior to the Army’s 250th birthday on June 14.

“If you look at those 250 years, we have fought and dominated on land throughout multiple different campaigns and wars,” he said. “That was true in our history, and it'll be true in the future moving forward.”

As the Army navigates a rapidly changing security environment, Poppas’ insights underscored the importance of agility, leadership and innovation in maintaining the U.S. Army’s status as the world’s most lethal and capable land force.

The Strategic Landpower Dialogue series engages military and defense leaders. During the event, retired Gen. Robert Brown, AUSA President and CEO, credited the partnership with CSIS for amplifying discussions on Army landpower’s enduring relevance. “Land is one of the domains, and it’s where humans spend most of their time,” Brown said, reinforcing the series’ focus on addressing critical security issues.

A recording of the event is available on the CSIS YouTube channel, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WdGXpWaKeo.