Lessons from the Field: Working with a World-Class Military Senior Advisory Team

During more than a year-long mission as a senior military advisor at the Royal Saudi Land Forces Headquarters in Riyadh, I had the privilege of serving in an international transformation project with a highly skilled and diverse team of military and civilian professionals.

Our mandate was clear but challenging; design and implement the organizational framework for a modernized land force, in line with the best global practices and strategic national objectives.

What made this mission successful was not just the excellent leadership, clarity of purpose, or the strategic design—it was the team.

A Professionally Balanced Unit

The senior advisory team was built with precision. It reflected a full spectrum of military expertise:

• Project leadership ensured alignment between strategic vision and operational execution.
• Command advisors and client executive leadership advisors provided a solid bridge between the team and leadership.
• Quality assurance specialists brought structure and consistency to all deliverables.
• Content developers contributed with field-tested tactical insight and unconventional problem-solving.
• Training development experts helped shape a comprehensive and scalable learning ecosystem.
• Logistics and sustainment experts enabled operational viability and system resilience.
• Liaison and engagement specialists worked seamlessly across multiple client organizations, building trust and delivering impact.

Each of these roles was filled by senior advisors with decades of experience in their respective domains—many with service in both combat and advisory capacities across multiple theaters of operation.

The Critical Role of Content Developers

Content developers transformed strategic objectives into operationally viable solutions and deliverables. They created structured options, produced actionable recommendations, and ensured consistent implementation across languages and organizational levels. Their disciplined work was key to enabling informed decisions and lasting impact throughout the project.

 The Critical Role of Interpreters and Translators

It must also be recognized that without the professionalism and dedication of our interpreters and translators, none of the mission's successes would have been possible. All core deliverables—including operational models, organizational charts, and doctrinal recommendations—had to be presented in both Arabic and English. 

Skilled language professionals not only ensured accurate translation but also preserved the intent, nuance, and military-specific terminology essential for clear operational communication.

Their contribution bridged the cultural and linguistic divide, enabling trust, understanding, and effective collaboration at every level of engagement. They were as much a part of the team’s success as any senior advisor. 

 Why It Worked

What made this team exceptional wasn’t just their resumes—it was their ability to operate as a cohesive, mission-focused unit under unfamiliar and demanding circumstances.

• Adaptability: Team members integrated quickly into a new cultural and operational environment, balancing respect for local customs with firm professional standards.
• Communication: The team maintained high-level dialogue with command staff while facilitating ground-level implementation through workshops, training, and direct liaison.
• Trust: We trusted each other’s judgment, backed each other’s efforts, and shared a common understanding of what mission success looked like.
• Execution: Despite the complexity, timelines were met, outcomes were delivered, and the project left a sustainable foundation for further development.

What I Learned

Even as a senior advisor, I learned every day from this group. Their discipline, humility, and quiet professionalism reminded me what military leadership truly looks like—across nations, uniforms, and languages.

In many ways, this was a model unit. Not because it was perfect, but because it lived the values of military professionalism: clarity of purpose, unity of effort, respect, accountability, and mission accomplishment.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ever in a position to build or lead a team for a high-stakes, cross-cultural military or defense transformation project - build it like this.

And if you ever have the chance to serve in a team like this, don’t hesitate. It will challenge you, change you, and most importantly - it will deliver results.