Case Study: The Sabbath Signal Battalion

Six principles comprise the philosophy of mission command: (a) build cohesive teams through mutual trust; (b) create share understanding; (c) provide clear commander’s intent; (d) exercise disciplined initiative; (e) use mission orders; and (f) accept prudent risk. When combined together, these six principles assist the commander in balancing the aforementioned art of command and science of control. To understand how General Robert E. Lee’s performance at Gettysburg lacked the marks of a great mission commander necessitates a deeper understanding of the individual principles of mission command.

Lt. Audie L. Murphy’s name stands as one of the most prominent in American military history. He was a figurehead of leadership and the epitome of the seven Army Values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity and Personal Courage). He was a model for every soldier to follow, one that overcame every odd that was ever against him and rose to conquer every challenge. In his personal memoir “To Hell and Back”, he expressed a very personal view of what it takes to embody these characteristics which would eventually encourage anyone who reads it. In the next few paragraphs I will expound on his leadership and analyze what it really takes

James R. McDonough sets a spectacular example of what it is to be a second lieutenant in the United States Army and what it is truly like to lead a group of enlisted soldiers for the first time. Lieutenant McDonough, a graduate of West Point, was deployed as a platoon leader in a small fort with the mission of holding a Vietnamese village out of the hands of the Viet Cong. When he arrived, Lieutenant McDonough discovered that the former Lieutenant and platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 503d Infantry (Airborne) hardly ever left his

Once an Eagle by Anton Myrer is a very influential novel in the military. In fact, it is required reading material for all 1st Lieutenants in the Marine Corps as well as in the United States Military Academy at West Point. Many Army leaders have read the book and often discuss it among themselves in social situations. Although a fiction read, many leaders extrapolate the use of mission command as well as the leaderships attributes. In this analysis I will be comparing a single event in the novel to the Army’s leadership principles as well as Mission Command. I will then provide a personal reflection and conclude.

No matter how bothersome it was when my parents got on my back for not saying “Yes ma'am” or “No sir,” I now realize they were teaching me responsibility, integrity, respect, and leadership.When I pinned my mother's rank of Master Sergeant to her shoulder it instilled a sense of pride in my family. We earned that insignia alongside her through all of our sacrifices over the years. My inclination towards engineering and flying is reflective of the dedication and pride my family has set before me. Between my mother who would arrive home late due to her six-hour commute and my cousin who depended on my family while his parents served in Afghanistan, I learned what it meant to be selfless. These members of my family, these role models, show me every day what it means to put service before self. These are the footsteps I aspire to follow

SGT Lucier demonstrated precision and professionalism as a team member of the Funeral Honors firing team. His sterling example, fostered a sense of teamwork, loyalty, and initiative in his subordinates while serving on the Headquarter and Headquarter Battalion Funeral Honors detail. He represented the Department of Defense and the United States Army with pride while rendering full military honors to peacetime and wartime veterans in the State of Texas.

Master Sergeant Jeffrey J. Baker distinguished himself throughout a 25-year career through exceptionally meritorious service in a succession of positions of great responsibility to the Army and to the nation. Previous leadership positions of significant achievement include Human Resources Operations Branch (HROB) NCOIC, 82d Sustainment Brigade, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Series Chief and Headquarters/Alpha (HQ/A) Company First Sergeant, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. MSG Baker's career culminated as the First Sergeant of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 369th Adjutant General Battalion, U.S Army Soldier Support Institute (USASSI), Fort Jackson, South

Purpose. This memorandum outlines my vision on leadership as a senior noncommissioned officer. It also defines my leadership philosophy and principles towards seniors, peers, and subordinates. My philosophy reflects the foundation of my personal and professional beliefs that makes us successful Soldiers.

General S. Patton once said, “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” Some may argue that his life was cut short while others may say it was too long. Being a man who fought in World War I and World War II, George S. Patton, Jr. certainly contained a wealth of experience in warfare. Looking at the written history, there were those who seemed to undervalue Patton, as well as those who may have held him much too high. Researchers have many different opinions on Patton’s’ leadership, but the research here will encompass both the positive and the negative aspects of his leadership and surrounding issues while addressing the following questions:

The purpose of this assessment is to compare and contrast how General Vincent K. Brooks attributes and competencies changed the military. How his encouragement contributed to personal growth and development as a leader. A West Point graduate General Brooks was the academy's first African-American Cadet First Captain, the highest position (Cadet Brigade Commander) a cadet can hold, an appointment that brought much public visibility at an early age in life. He graduated from West Point in 1980. Truly a soldier's soldier, Brooks was born into a military family that was posted in Anchorage, Alaska on October 24, 1958. His father, Leo Brooks Sr. was an army officer who would himself become a Brigadier General, his brother Leo Brooks Jr was as

After commanding in 75th Ranger Regiment, he completed the Command and Staff Course at the Naval War College and in 1990 he was assigned to the Joint Special Operations Command. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, McChrystal served both in Desert Shield and Desert Storm and later returned to Fort Bragg to command the 504th Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. Following his command at Fort Bragg, McChrystal led the 75th Ranger Regiment and later became the commander of the Joint Special Operation Command. In May 2009 General McChrystal became the top commander in Afghanistan due to his experience in Special Operations and counter insurgency operations. Although he was the top commander in Afghanistan, General McChrystal made his biggest impact earlier in Iraq by changing how our nation’s military conducted mission

Together, General von Steuben’s attributes as leader directly contributed to his ability to lead troops and have had a lasting impact on the NCO Corps and the Army until

The purpose of this paper is to describe why SFC Boozer, Charles is who I consider my Legacy Leader and how he positively impacted not only myself, but the Army and NCO Corps which directly influenced the Leader that I am today. The Attributes and Competencies that he instilled in me as Leader are just a few of the many things that I would like to become part of my Legacy that I would like to leave behind the Army and NCO Corps.

Outstanding Army leaders realize that they are members of something larger than themselves, a time honored organization, with a storied history, traditions, customs, courtesies

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate what I learned about mission command and reflect on how I will use the philosophy and concepts of mission command in my future duty assignment following graduation from the Sergeants Major Course. Although mission command is commander centric, noncommissioned officers (NCO’s) play a dynamic role in facilitating it.