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Mission Command For The Battle Of The Bulge

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Mission Command Analysis Brigadier General (BG) James M. Gavin, 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army, was one of the distinguish Generals to contribute in the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. BG Gavin commanded the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions. He was responsible for many decisive operations that were key for the success of the battle. He maintained firing positions for engaging the Germans counteroffensive attacks. Simultaneously, his Mission Command practices brought him to the success of occupying two important cities in Belgium. Brigadier General Gavin demonstrated effectiveness in winning the Battle of the Bulge by applying Mission Command Philosophies of Command, according to ADRP 6-0, Mission Command. BG Gavin always committed his …show more content…

In airborne operations, he was always the first one to jump. Even in moments of engaging heavy fire from the enemy, BG Gavin would be side to side with his troops. Identifying their needs and spending time with them created a stronger relationship in the organization. There was no need to reiterate, he was in charge, everyone knew he was the General. Therefore, He demonstrated that he was there to lead, but as well to fight and train as an ordinary Soldier. The constant presence with his troops was the most significant act of building cohesive teams through mutual trust. In Fact, “how he found the time and energy to be constantly with his frontline troops and still direct the overall activities of the division was a mystery.” 1 Interacting with your subordinates shows that you care. A leader that trains with his subordinates also earns credibility. How Soldiers trust, weights leader’s sound judgment for leading troops and accomplishing missions, regardless complexity. In order to build cohesive teams, trust has to be mutual. But more from Soldiers to leaders. When Soldiers can rely on their leader, they will also trust peers. If a general can be trusted and is part of the team, Soldiers will have more confidence in challenging moments. As all troops believes on a leader’s intent, the collective trust will be stronger within the Soldiers. This was reflected when BG Gavin’s Soldiers did not like the idea of withdrawing from the

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