How do we as leaders change a failing military?

The simplest answer is you focus on your little bubble, train your troops, shield your troops from as much bullshit as you can and get used to taking ass chewing from higher. When you don't have support from above you make sure you support your troops under you and hopefully look up with other like minded leaders and maybe, just maybe better leadership from above.

My question would be to whoever stated this is, 'What are you doing to improve basic soldering skills?' I remember when I was in ANCOC and my fellow NCOs were commenting about how the soldiers then were lacking in discipline, motivation,....blah, blah, blah, and I remember the same basic statement being made by Socrates? Of course, he was right, and so were the my comrades, and the leaders saying the same thing about me back in the day and those leaders in the room with me, and you leaders today and those leaders tomorrow. IF leaders are failing, find the nearest mirror and give that sorry leader a good scolding, and have him start doing his job. I know he can. He is already seeking advice outside the box but he needs to hold his peers and superiors accountable, even more accountable than he needs to hold his solders. The fix really is easy to identify but much harder to put into practice because it starts with you.

I insisted on cross training. Cross training increases flexibility and efficiency. I think the military's biggest impediment is leaders who do not know how to win some wars. I guess we are not to win all the wars we commit too.