Our guest today is Col. Nathan K. Finney of US Forces Command. An armor (armour, if you are in the UK) officer-turned-strategist, Nate commissioned through Officer Candidate School after earning his BA from the University of Arizona. Following tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, he began doctoral studies at the University of Kansas while at Ft. Leavenworth, then completed his PhD at Duke University as a Goodpaster Fellow. His first book was just released by Cornell University Press - Orchestrating Power: The American Associational State in the First World War. While Arizona is home, he's lived all over, and is never idle. He founded and still manages the Strategy Bridge blog and podcast, and also started the Military Writers Guild and the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum. And don't get us started on the number of fellowships Nate has held (including an SMH Summer Seminar Fellowship in 2023) - as he'll share, he's been incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing opportunities.

Join us for a fascinating chat with a serving Army officer who earned his PhD in military history - we'll talk doing research during COVID, grad student reading groups, intending to enlist but commissioning instead, peaty Scotch, burnt ends, and earning a PhD while in uniform - we're glad to share Nate's story.

Shoutout to Q39 in Kansas City and Redwood Smoke Shack in Norfolk, Virginia!

Rec.: 03/16/2026