In this episode of The Fabric, Buddy Arnheim sits down with Lieutenant General Paul Ostrowski, a retired three-star U.S. Army leader whose 36-year career spans Special Forces, Army acquisition, and Operation Warp Speed.
From growing up in rural Arkansas to graduating from West Point and serving in elite Special Operations units, Paul shares the formative experiences that shaped his leadership philosophy. He reflects on the discipline and mental resilience forged at the Academy, the realities of modern warfare, and his transition from operational command to transforming the Army through acquisition.
Paul offers a rare inside look at defense innovation, explaining how new technologies move from concept to battlefield and why speed, dual-use capability, and practical deployment matter more than ever. He also recounts his role in Operation Warp Speed, helping mobilize one of the most complex public-private efforts in modern history to develop, manufacture, and distribute COVID-19 vaccines at unprecedented speed.
The conversation explores:
• The leadership lessons forged at West Point and in Special Forces
• How procurement and innovation shape the future battlefield
• The importance of AI, cyber, and space in modern defense
• What startups need to understand when working with the Department of Defense
• The team effort behind Operation Warp Speed
Above all, Paul emphasizes that no mission is accomplished alone. Behind every breakthrough stands a team committed to service, resilience, and shared purpose.
