Leading Edge ... Bolstering A Cohesive Warfighting Culture
by U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Haeleigh Bayle
June 13, 2026

Each branch of the U.S. military carries their own set of roles and responsibilities, but together they create a lethal fighting force.

Recently, 22 U.S. service members attended the Leading Edge joint training course at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst in May 2026.

Leading Edge, a professional development program offered for members between the ranks of E-4 to E-6, focuses on building joint leaders who understand the functionality, operations and customs and courtesies of each branch to maintain a foundation of successful interoperability.

“[Leading Edge] builds that shared foundation early,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Corinthian Johnson, 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron flight chief in training and Leading Edge chair. “I think the beauty in a program like this is that, since we’re already a joint base, we have representation across all the branches. You get to learn doctrines, share languages and customs, network and understand each branch’s capabilities.”

Since JB MDL is a tri-service installation, many service members only pass by those in other branches, unaware of what their daily lives consist of. The course allowed them to reach out to sister-service branches and understand how their units operate.

“Working with other branches taught me what they do on base and what their mission is,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jose Palacios, 87th Communications Squadron client systems technician. “As soon as you get here, you’re told it’s a tri-service base, but you don’t really know what that means. [In this course] you’re getting to see what the Marine aviators do on a day-to-day basis and what the Navy does. It gives you a better perspective of what your contributions mean to the base.”

Throughout the course, service members received classroom instruction, mentorship from senior leaders, toured mission partner facilities, participated in hands-on activities and completed a group capstone assignment that utilized the material taught throughout the course to showcase what they learned.

“We pride ourselves in being the world’s greatest Air Force, but why?” questioned Johnson. “It’s because we have the E-4 to E-6, they are the backbone of our Force. We have to develop them so they can be successful in a joint environment, since warfare is inherently joint. The more you understand early and build that shared foundation, the easier it is for you to execute, evade and be more lethal.”

Leading Edge emphasized collaborative strategic thinking, operational planning and combined problem-solving to safeguard our nation’s security.

“You don’t really get the opportunity, unless you’re at a joint base, to integrate, learn and develop from a peer in a different branch,” explained Johnson. “To be able to do it organically on base, absent of a deployment and learn the joint principles and competencies that we need, the value proposition is too good. In my opinion, the best leaders are going out and getting developed and seeking information to be of better service.”

Many service members took it upon themselves and sought out the course to bolster their professional development, in which Palacios emphasized the important insight he received from his peers and mentors who have been serving longer than him.

“The biggest piece of advice is to be a sponge and absorb as much as you can. Ask questions, not just to the speakers but to your peers as well,” said Palacios.

The course didn’t just teach service members about the branches, it fostered networking, asking questions and striving to be stronger leaders in a joint environment. JB MDL is dedicated to creating a cohesive warfighting culture, which starts with courses like Leading Edge.

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