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Weathers’ depiction of the burgeoning family support programs and infrastructure is where the acquisition community should hone in. The financial tension between prioritizing readiness and service member well- being under budgetary pressure sheds light on the military’s conflicting goals of “mission first, people always.” The friction between these two competing priorities is a consistent theme of Military Culture Shift . The strength of this work is Weathers’ analysis of generational “imprinting” of military experience, which shapes perception of continued service. The author’s discussion of imprinting and how memories are formed carries profound insight for leaders and policymakers. As the author argues, these experiences “have a way of changing the trajectory of our lives” (p. 81). Weathers’ recommendation of authenticity is exemplified in her narration of family struggles during the Global War on Terror, which repeatedly rang true to this reviewer. The work’s struggles are due to its ambition. When explaining the impact of outside factors like appropriations, the author loses fluency and incisiveness. There is value, but the takeaway in these discussions was less clear. The other critique is the author’s use of “an example worth remembering” at the end of each chapter (p. 99). While often positive, these examples were a missed opportunity to tie together a clear connection to themes presented in the chapter. Weathers’ recounting of the military family support structure, generational attitudes to service, leadership, and communication all provide valuable understanding of the military’s current cultural malaise. This wicked problem can not be solved in one book. However, Corie Weathers provides a needed starting point.
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Defense ARJ , Spring 2025, Vol. 32 No. 1
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