Episode 51: The Sci-Fi General - A Discussion with Jasper Jeffers

Jasper Jeffers, the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division, is an interesting guy. He's an infantryman, an Army General, a visionary futurist, and a tech head. He's also a huge sci-fi nerd. His love for science fiction feeds his thinking about leadership, the future of land power, and the integration of disruptive technology into the force.   In 2019, Jasper's science fiction short story, "AN41," won the Army's Mad Science Fiction Writing contest. The piece, available here https://mwi.usma.edu/an41-2/, is an enthralling read about a future in which the United States, armed with autonomous weapons systems and digitally-enhanced Soldiers, is involved in persistent conflict with a similarly-armed force. "AN41" offers a glimpse into Jasper's view of the global security structure of the next 20 years.   Jasper joins host Joe Buccino to talk about "AN41," his sci-fi obsession, and what AI means for modern war. He also describes how he's working to develop a culture of innovation on Fort Stewart, Georgia. Episode 51 is a fascinating discussion about dynamic leadership, Army innovation, and the embrace of change.   The 18th Airborne Corps podcast is the official podcast of the US Army's XVIII Airborne Corps. Every week host Joe Buccino records a new episode on Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Every episode is available on Apple Podcasts, Podbean, Stitcher, and Spotfiy. Please leave a five-star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts, as this helps others find the podcast.