Søren Sjøgren
@sorensjogren.bsky.social
Military officer | PhD | Institute head of R&D at the Royal Danish Defence College | Editor @sjms.bsky.social | Doctrine, planning, and command.
Submission no. 500 at the Journal of Scandinavian Military Studies (SJMS) landed this morning!
We publish in the field of military studies: multidisciplinary, practice‑relevant, with Scandinavian roots and a global scope
All open access
Learn more about @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
We publish in the field of military studies: multidisciplinary, practice‑relevant, with Scandinavian roots and a global scope
All open access
Learn more about @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
October 29, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Submission no. 500 at the Journal of Scandinavian Military Studies (SJMS) landed this morning!
We publish in the field of military studies: multidisciplinary, practice‑relevant, with Scandinavian roots and a global scope
All open access
Learn more about @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
We publish in the field of military studies: multidisciplinary, practice‑relevant, with Scandinavian roots and a global scope
All open access
Learn more about @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
I presented Eisenhower’s matrix to young leaders last week: do only what you alone can do; the rest delegate.
The idea is simple, the practice isn’t. Urgency creeps in, leaders micromanage, postpone strategy, team check-ins, or even their own health.
Start prioritising what really matters.
The idea is simple, the practice isn’t. Urgency creeps in, leaders micromanage, postpone strategy, team check-ins, or even their own health.
Start prioritising what really matters.
October 1, 2025 at 12:21 PM
I presented Eisenhower’s matrix to young leaders last week: do only what you alone can do; the rest delegate.
The idea is simple, the practice isn’t. Urgency creeps in, leaders micromanage, postpone strategy, team check-ins, or even their own health.
Start prioritising what really matters.
The idea is simple, the practice isn’t. Urgency creeps in, leaders micromanage, postpone strategy, team check-ins, or even their own health.
Start prioritising what really matters.
“Eyes on, hands off.” Mission command sounds simple, but micromanagement often creeps in. Too detailed orders, risk aversion, and a lack of trust make implementation difficult.
Currently in Stockholm to teach our latest in Mission Command in NATO.
📚 sjms.nu/articles/10.... (open access)
Currently in Stockholm to teach our latest in Mission Command in NATO.
📚 sjms.nu/articles/10.... (open access)
September 30, 2025 at 12:08 PM
“Eyes on, hands off.” Mission command sounds simple, but micromanagement often creeps in. Too detailed orders, risk aversion, and a lack of trust make implementation difficult.
Currently in Stockholm to teach our latest in Mission Command in NATO.
📚 sjms.nu/articles/10.... (open access)
Currently in Stockholm to teach our latest in Mission Command in NATO.
📚 sjms.nu/articles/10.... (open access)
Today, we discussed research in classified or restricted environments with 25 engaged PhD students. A few reflections:
1️⃣ Even in classified or restricted military environments, meaningful and ethical research is possible, though not without trade-offs.
1️⃣ Even in classified or restricted military environments, meaningful and ethical research is possible, though not without trade-offs.
September 16, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Today, we discussed research in classified or restricted environments with 25 engaged PhD students. A few reflections:
1️⃣ Even in classified or restricted military environments, meaningful and ethical research is possible, though not without trade-offs.
1️⃣ Even in classified or restricted military environments, meaningful and ethical research is possible, though not without trade-offs.
Today in Denmark,
The Dannebrog flies for those who went when asked,
for those who never came back,
and for those who still struggle.
#flagdag
The Dannebrog flies for those who went when asked,
for those who never came back,
and for those who still struggle.
#flagdag
September 5, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Today in Denmark,
The Dannebrog flies for those who went when asked,
for those who never came back,
and for those who still struggle.
#flagdag
The Dannebrog flies for those who went when asked,
for those who never came back,
and for those who still struggle.
#flagdag
Here is this summer's best reading experience (and why anyone who teaches planning should read it, too).
This is a fascinating inside story of planning at the land component level before and during the invasion of Iraq.
TL;DR: Iraq was not an outlier; it represents the dynamics of modern C2 🧵
This is a fascinating inside story of planning at the land component level before and during the invasion of Iraq.
TL;DR: Iraq was not an outlier; it represents the dynamics of modern C2 🧵
August 5, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Here is this summer's best reading experience (and why anyone who teaches planning should read it, too).
This is a fascinating inside story of planning at the land component level before and during the invasion of Iraq.
TL;DR: Iraq was not an outlier; it represents the dynamics of modern C2 🧵
This is a fascinating inside story of planning at the land component level before and during the invasion of Iraq.
TL;DR: Iraq was not an outlier; it represents the dynamics of modern C2 🧵
Sir David Richards was promoted to Field Marshal on Saturday, a rare honour.
In 2000, under threat in Sierra Leone, he defied orders to evacuate. No new instructions. Just judgment, moral courage, and a plan that worked.
Mission command or disciplined disobedience in action.
In 2000, under threat in Sierra Leone, he defied orders to evacuate. No new instructions. Just judgment, moral courage, and a plan that worked.
Mission command or disciplined disobedience in action.
June 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Sir David Richards was promoted to Field Marshal on Saturday, a rare honour.
In 2000, under threat in Sierra Leone, he defied orders to evacuate. No new instructions. Just judgment, moral courage, and a plan that worked.
Mission command or disciplined disobedience in action.
In 2000, under threat in Sierra Leone, he defied orders to evacuate. No new instructions. Just judgment, moral courage, and a plan that worked.
Mission command or disciplined disobedience in action.
Today is Valdemar's Day 🇩🇰
According to legend, on this date in 1219, Dannebrog, the Danish flag, fell from the sky during the Danes’ hour of need in the battle of Lyndanisse at modern-day Tallinn, Estonia.
According to legend, on this date in 1219, Dannebrog, the Danish flag, fell from the sky during the Danes’ hour of need in the battle of Lyndanisse at modern-day Tallinn, Estonia.
June 15, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Today is Valdemar's Day 🇩🇰
According to legend, on this date in 1219, Dannebrog, the Danish flag, fell from the sky during the Danes’ hour of need in the battle of Lyndanisse at modern-day Tallinn, Estonia.
According to legend, on this date in 1219, Dannebrog, the Danish flag, fell from the sky during the Danes’ hour of need in the battle of Lyndanisse at modern-day Tallinn, Estonia.
‘What military commanders do and how they do it’ has climbed to be the most popular article in @sjms.bsky.social 🙏🎉
It was the first product of my PhD journey, and I regularly revisit it.
There are quite a few fun gems in there, as well as some analysis of decision-making.
sjms.nu/articles/10....
It was the first product of my PhD journey, and I regularly revisit it.
There are quite a few fun gems in there, as well as some analysis of decision-making.
sjms.nu/articles/10....
June 3, 2025 at 7:06 PM
‘What military commanders do and how they do it’ has climbed to be the most popular article in @sjms.bsky.social 🙏🎉
It was the first product of my PhD journey, and I regularly revisit it.
There are quite a few fun gems in there, as well as some analysis of decision-making.
sjms.nu/articles/10....
It was the first product of my PhD journey, and I regularly revisit it.
There are quite a few fun gems in there, as well as some analysis of decision-making.
sjms.nu/articles/10....
What is military doctrine? It was a great event at the Swedish Defence University today bringing soldier-scholars who study doctrine together.
👉 We still don't agree on what we are refering to, when we casually refer to doctrine and in the litterature there are at least five different approaches.
👉 We still don't agree on what we are refering to, when we casually refer to doctrine and in the litterature there are at least five different approaches.
May 22, 2025 at 3:17 PM
What is military doctrine? It was a great event at the Swedish Defence University today bringing soldier-scholars who study doctrine together.
👉 We still don't agree on what we are refering to, when we casually refer to doctrine and in the litterature there are at least five different approaches.
👉 We still don't agree on what we are refering to, when we casually refer to doctrine and in the litterature there are at least five different approaches.
“11 million decisions a day. I make eight.”
From our command research project: A USMC general’s take on leading a 140,000-person force.
Mission command isn’t just military. It’s essential for any complex organisation.
📌 Our newest on Multinational Mission Command: sjms.nu/articles/10....
From our command research project: A USMC general’s take on leading a 140,000-person force.
Mission command isn’t just military. It’s essential for any complex organisation.
📌 Our newest on Multinational Mission Command: sjms.nu/articles/10....
May 19, 2025 at 3:10 PM
“11 million decisions a day. I make eight.”
From our command research project: A USMC general’s take on leading a 140,000-person force.
Mission command isn’t just military. It’s essential for any complex organisation.
📌 Our newest on Multinational Mission Command: sjms.nu/articles/10....
From our command research project: A USMC general’s take on leading a 140,000-person force.
Mission command isn’t just military. It’s essential for any complex organisation.
📌 Our newest on Multinational Mission Command: sjms.nu/articles/10....
❸ Foster Informal Relations: Multinational organisations must encourage cross-cultural activities. People from different nations and services think differently. Learn about those differences to foster a deeper understanding of the people you work with.
April 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
❸ Foster Informal Relations: Multinational organisations must encourage cross-cultural activities. People from different nations and services think differently. Learn about those differences to foster a deeper understanding of the people you work with.
❷ Realistic, regular exercises: Create training opportunities that test procedures and the willingness to depart when prudent. The key is allowing subordinates to take prudent risks. Wargames, simulations, staff rides, and tabletop exercises may be less expensive ways to approach this.
April 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
❷ Realistic, regular exercises: Create training opportunities that test procedures and the willingness to depart when prudent. The key is allowing subordinates to take prudent risks. Wargames, simulations, staff rides, and tabletop exercises may be less expensive ways to approach this.
❶ Simplify Orders: Clear communication facilitates understanding. Paradoxically, more explanations produce less understanding. Clear communication also helps overcome language barriers. Native English speakers tend to forget this. Orders must be concise and focused on the intent.
April 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
❶ Simplify Orders: Clear communication facilitates understanding. Paradoxically, more explanations produce less understanding. Clear communication also helps overcome language barriers. Native English speakers tend to forget this. Orders must be concise and focused on the intent.
In the new article, Niklas Nilsson and I explore the challenges of applying it in a multinational NATO context.
We suggest ways of overcoming the gap between written doctrine and the actual practice of mission command.
Here are three (+1 institutional) bullets to enhance mission command in #NATO:
We suggest ways of overcoming the gap between written doctrine and the actual practice of mission command.
Here are three (+1 institutional) bullets to enhance mission command in #NATO:
April 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
In the new article, Niklas Nilsson and I explore the challenges of applying it in a multinational NATO context.
We suggest ways of overcoming the gap between written doctrine and the actual practice of mission command.
Here are three (+1 institutional) bullets to enhance mission command in #NATO:
We suggest ways of overcoming the gap between written doctrine and the actual practice of mission command.
Here are three (+1 institutional) bullets to enhance mission command in #NATO:
🔔 New article: Mission command in a multinational context.
🧵on NATO's challenges in moving from describing mission command in written doctrine to actual practice.
The article is based on 33 interviews with commanders and senior staff officers. Open access @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
🧵on NATO's challenges in moving from describing mission command in written doctrine to actual practice.
The article is based on 33 interviews with commanders and senior staff officers. Open access @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
April 22, 2025 at 5:43 AM
🔔 New article: Mission command in a multinational context.
🧵on NATO's challenges in moving from describing mission command in written doctrine to actual practice.
The article is based on 33 interviews with commanders and senior staff officers. Open access @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
🧵on NATO's challenges in moving from describing mission command in written doctrine to actual practice.
The article is based on 33 interviews with commanders and senior staff officers. Open access @sjms.bsky.social: sjms.nu/articles/10....
General Kjeld Hillingsøe turns 90 today. I had the privilege to interview him for a study command a few years ago.
Over the kitchen counter, he emphasised the need for rigorous exercises. Not exercises that run according to a script and confirm doctrine.
Happy Birthday, general. 🫡
Over the kitchen counter, he emphasised the need for rigorous exercises. Not exercises that run according to a script and confirm doctrine.
Happy Birthday, general. 🫡
April 21, 2025 at 9:48 AM
General Kjeld Hillingsøe turns 90 today. I had the privilege to interview him for a study command a few years ago.
Over the kitchen counter, he emphasised the need for rigorous exercises. Not exercises that run according to a script and confirm doctrine.
Happy Birthday, general. 🫡
Over the kitchen counter, he emphasised the need for rigorous exercises. Not exercises that run according to a script and confirm doctrine.
Happy Birthday, general. 🫡
🔔 New article: Mission command in #NATO.
Mission command is challenging within national forces. The challenges multiply in NATO’s multinational setting. We identify the key friction points and offer ways to address them.
Our 🇸🇪/🇩🇰 venture is open access @sjms.bsky.social
sjms.nu/articles/10....
Mission command is challenging within national forces. The challenges multiply in NATO’s multinational setting. We identify the key friction points and offer ways to address them.
Our 🇸🇪/🇩🇰 venture is open access @sjms.bsky.social
sjms.nu/articles/10....
April 16, 2025 at 1:09 PM
🔔 New article: Mission command in #NATO.
Mission command is challenging within national forces. The challenges multiply in NATO’s multinational setting. We identify the key friction points and offer ways to address them.
Our 🇸🇪/🇩🇰 venture is open access @sjms.bsky.social
sjms.nu/articles/10....
Mission command is challenging within national forces. The challenges multiply in NATO’s multinational setting. We identify the key friction points and offer ways to address them.
Our 🇸🇪/🇩🇰 venture is open access @sjms.bsky.social
sjms.nu/articles/10....
4️⃣ We disagree on how to interpret doctrine. This typology of different conceptions of doctrine is based on how officers in a NATO hq understood the same written document.
Interestingly, staff officers were often pushed up in the rationalist field.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Interestingly, staff officers were often pushed up in the rationalist field.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
April 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
4️⃣ We disagree on how to interpret doctrine. This typology of different conceptions of doctrine is based on how officers in a NATO hq understood the same written document.
Interestingly, staff officers were often pushed up in the rationalist field.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Interestingly, staff officers were often pushed up in the rationalist field.
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
💬 If you allow headquarters to do what it does, which is to be very like a machine pumping out solutions, it will tend to come to answers that are textbook correct, but profoundly wrong.
But why do military headquarters tend to become machine-like? And how can it be a problem?
But why do military headquarters tend to become machine-like? And how can it be a problem?
April 14, 2025 at 11:59 AM
💬 If you allow headquarters to do what it does, which is to be very like a machine pumping out solutions, it will tend to come to answers that are textbook correct, but profoundly wrong.
But why do military headquarters tend to become machine-like? And how can it be a problem?
But why do military headquarters tend to become machine-like? And how can it be a problem?
Long orders or instructions don't create clarity. They create confusion and stifle initiative. Yet, complex instructions remain the norm in military headquarters and civilian organisations. Why?
A Swedish colleague and I have a new article on mission command in the press. Out in the coming week 🧵
A Swedish colleague and I have a new article on mission command in the press. Out in the coming week 🧵
April 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Long orders or instructions don't create clarity. They create confusion and stifle initiative. Yet, complex instructions remain the norm in military headquarters and civilian organisations. Why?
A Swedish colleague and I have a new article on mission command in the press. Out in the coming week 🧵
A Swedish colleague and I have a new article on mission command in the press. Out in the coming week 🧵
Longer orders don’t bring clarity. They create confusion and stifle initiative.
In an interview, Gen. Mattis stressed the value of leaving things unsaid to encourage free thinking.
A Swedish colleague and I have a new research article on multinational mission command on its way out. Stay tuned.
In an interview, Gen. Mattis stressed the value of leaving things unsaid to encourage free thinking.
A Swedish colleague and I have a new research article on multinational mission command on its way out. Stay tuned.
March 21, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Longer orders don’t bring clarity. They create confusion and stifle initiative.
In an interview, Gen. Mattis stressed the value of leaving things unsaid to encourage free thinking.
A Swedish colleague and I have a new research article on multinational mission command on its way out. Stay tuned.
In an interview, Gen. Mattis stressed the value of leaving things unsaid to encourage free thinking.
A Swedish colleague and I have a new research article on multinational mission command on its way out. Stay tuned.
Entering the War Machine: On Construction of Order in a Multinational NATO Headquarters was published last week in Defence Studies.
A free pre-print version is available here: 2-5.dk/wp-content/u... if your organisation doesn't have access.
A free pre-print version is available here: 2-5.dk/wp-content/u... if your organisation doesn't have access.
March 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Entering the War Machine: On Construction of Order in a Multinational NATO Headquarters was published last week in Defence Studies.
A free pre-print version is available here: 2-5.dk/wp-content/u... if your organisation doesn't have access.
A free pre-print version is available here: 2-5.dk/wp-content/u... if your organisation doesn't have access.
💬 "Institutions get the behaviour they reward."
A classic management article turns 50 this year. The very short version: Ensure your organisation rewards behaviour that aligns with its objectives.
Find Kerr's article here: www.ou.edu/russell/UGco...
#MilSky
A classic management article turns 50 this year. The very short version: Ensure your organisation rewards behaviour that aligns with its objectives.
Find Kerr's article here: www.ou.edu/russell/UGco...
#MilSky
March 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
💬 "Institutions get the behaviour they reward."
A classic management article turns 50 this year. The very short version: Ensure your organisation rewards behaviour that aligns with its objectives.
Find Kerr's article here: www.ou.edu/russell/UGco...
#MilSky
A classic management article turns 50 this year. The very short version: Ensure your organisation rewards behaviour that aligns with its objectives.
Find Kerr's article here: www.ou.edu/russell/UGco...
#MilSky
Entering the war machine: on construction of order in a multinational NATO headquarters was published this morning in Defence Studies.
If your organisation doesn't have access, DM me for a pre-print version.
#MilSky #CivMilSky #PME
If your organisation doesn't have access, DM me for a pre-print version.
#MilSky #CivMilSky #PME
March 12, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Entering the war machine: on construction of order in a multinational NATO headquarters was published this morning in Defence Studies.
If your organisation doesn't have access, DM me for a pre-print version.
#MilSky #CivMilSky #PME
If your organisation doesn't have access, DM me for a pre-print version.
#MilSky #CivMilSky #PME