In 2013, the Chief of Staff of the Army, General Raymond Odierno stated the importance of leader development to the Army War College graduating class: “As history has shown, we have a poor track record in predicting the future, but history also teaches us we will be called upon again, and strategic uncertainty is no excuse for inaction. As we begin our transition following this time of twelve years of war, we must rededicate ourselves to the development of our leaders as our best hedge against complexity and uncertainty.” (GEN Odierno, 2013) General Odierno’s remarks highlight the renewed emphasis on Army leader development. The Army defines leader development as “a continuous and progressive process, spanning a leader’s entire career.” …show more content…
Why would they limit their exposure to only one ranking leader’s experience? One of the answers to those aforementioned questions is - the Army does not have a conduit in place that supports junior leaders seeking mentorship from an overabundance of experienced ranking leaders. The innovative solution for eradicating this issue is Mentoring Army Leaders – Digitally (MAL-D). The Army’s junior leaders desire the exposure to multiple experienced mentors. The Army currently has an existing information system to incorporate MAL-D into present Army communication operations. The combing of MAL-D into existing the information system will facilitate future enhancements of MAL-D. How MAL-D Works MAL-D is the innovation to provide the digital conduit for junior leaders to reap the benefits of mentorship from composite of diverse ranking leader experiences. MAL-D will consist of a web-based chat forum that enables digital discussion between junior leaders and ranking leaders within the Army. The chat discussion forums serve as a digital mentorship correspondence tool for junior leaders. MAL-D will be an anonymous mechanism for mentorship in order to promote candid discussion. MAL-D will show a user’s profile based on their professional experiences – i.e., “Current Position – Battalion Commander, Previous Positions - Company Commander for an Airborne Unit – Fort Bragg (2 years), Platoon Leader
Independent of the Army and country you serve, leadership is always an important subject. There are many civilian books and military manuals talking about leadership. The United States Army divides the subject leadership in three levels. These levels are Direct Leadership, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In this paper, the focus will be only about the first two levels. According with you rank, you will work more in one of these levels. Because of that, most part of time there is not much interaction between higher-level leaders and lower level leaders. Despite the limited interaction between higher level leaders like Brigade commanders with the lower level leader like company commander it’s not affect a satisfactory mission accomplishment.
Leadership development in the military is critical to its mission and objectives. Understanding and embracing leadership will foster an agile culture and facilitate attainment of strategic goals. People desire quality leadership to assist with achieving their goals, albeit personal or professional development. Having a clear vision and the motivation to perform at high-levels influences others to work synergistically together to achieve organizational goals. Insomuch, employees value being treated respectfully, fairly, and ethically. Leaders serve people best when they help them develop their own initiative and good judgment, enable them to grow, and help them become better contributors.
Leadership goals should always contain methods of a continuous process of learning through education, training, and individual experiences that help ensure that the message will be communicated in a confident and competent manner when leading troops. Soldiers tend to follow leaders that demonstrate and live the Army values, while displaying their confidence in every decision that affects change. Leaders are not born as organizational or tactical leaders; but grown by their genetic determinism, which is inside and the characteristics they work toward; that mold is which type leader they will become. Not just anyone can lead; you must have the desire to lead, be willing to make the commitment to being a leader, and prepare yourself properly, then you have the desire to become a leader. (Fulton, 1995).
Officers are taught to lead by example which means learning from the officers who came before them. As a leader in the army, a solider is constantly watched and must uphold the army core values at all times. Setting a good example for the young, non commissioned officers (NCOs) in the battalion is vital to the battalions cohesion and morale. In order to lead by example an officer is taught different leadership styles to incorporate in the field For instance, participating leadership style is especially appropriate when there is time receive input, information, and recommendations of your subordinates. The primary goal of the army is to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Leadership can always be improved on throughout life.
My leadership philosophy revolves entirely around the Army Values. In every action I take as a leader, I assess whether or not it lines up with the Army Values and the potential impacts. I have had a variety of leadership assignments during my career, all requiring a different leadership approach, spanning from team leader through platoon sergeant. My conflict resolution skills have greatly evolved through my twelve years in the Army, from rudimentary conversations to in depth problem solving. My professional development has had a profound effect on my leadership abilities, from NCOPD’s to mentorship from senior non-commissioned officers (NCO’s).
As an officer in the United States Army, it has been imperative for me to understand every facet of leadership and why it remains important to be an effective leader. During this course, I have learned some valuable lessons about myself as a leader and how I can improve on my leadership ability in the future. The journal entries along with the understanding of available leadership theories have been an integral part of my learning during this course. For all of the journals and assessments that I completed, I feel it has given me a good understanding of my current leadership status and my future potential as a leader. All of the specific assessments looked at several areas in regards to leadership; these assessments covered several
As a professional leader, role models are an important source of inspiration and development. The ability to deliberately aim to improve as a leader is equally important. In the Army, the Leadership Requirements Model found in doctrine provides the framework necessary to make those deliberate improvements. This framework presents the opportunity to analyze our leadership role models using the Leadership Requirements Model and assess how that leader has contributed to the Army or the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) Corps. Additionally, it is important to apply the same analysis to how that role model has influenced our own leadership. Lastly, with these considerations in mind, leaders can project into the future and determine what kind of legacy they wish to leave. The purpose of this analysis is to explore these opportunities and the relationships between doctrinal leadership, a legacy leader, and my own leadership and legacy. My father, retired Chief Warrant Officer 2 (CW2) Nelson Stydinger, had a significant influence on the profession during his own service. He also represents my most important leadership influence throughout my career and his record informs the type of legacy I would like to leave as an Army leader.
The United States of America has the greatest Army in the world. This is possible because the Army develops the great leaders. To be a successful leader, one must fully understand how all three levels of leadership operate. The three levels of leadership outlined by ADRP 6-22 Army Leadership are direct, organizational, and strategic. Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) and officers alike have the responsibility to lead Soldiers regardless of the level they may operate. A leader’s rank does not classify what level of leadership they work in, their position does.
The situation in today 's Army is clearly much different from what existed years ago. Many changes have occurred, moving the Army 's EO program from a strictly educational and training initiative to a multifaceted management program with clear goals and objectives. These goals and objectives are also an integral part of human relations and are nurtured and developed through a professional military education system.
The main points of this article relate to the changing nature of warfare (think terrorism and advancements in technology) and the adjustments military leaders are obliged to make. Hence, according to the article, leaders must: a) be trained in critical thinking skills; b) be "committed to life-long [and self-directed] learning"; c) be willing to take the initiative to "diagnose" their goals, needs,
The answer is grounded in what the Army expects of your development. The Army Leader Development Strategy is built on the pillars of three domains: Institutional (education), Operational (post-PME positions) and Self-Development.
Leadership, according to the Army doctrine, represents individuals’ ability to influence people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization (“Leadership” FM 6-22). However, the varying characteristics of individuals that the Army attracts may instill this doctrine in many different ways, leading to different representations of leadership. Some individuals choose to lead their subordinate in a stern matter, only displaying matured emotions and a “tough-loving” attitude to guide them in the right direction. Others
Every uniformed Army professional knows the Soldier’s Creed. The tenth line of the Soldier’s Creed - “I am an expert and I am a professional,” is a powerful statement recited during significant occasions including enlistments, graduations, first formations, promotion boards, change of command ceremonies, and deployment ceremonies. The NCO Creed even includes the bold statement, “No one is more professional than I,” in the opening line. For these words to ring true, the Army must deliver training sufficient to certify professional Soldiers and leaders at all levels. The Army’s ability to recognize this need and adapt its methods speaks volumes for the Profession of Arms. The three components of the Army’s leadership model -
Tom Peters said it best when he stated that “leaders do not create followers; they create more leaders.” This statement is what fuels my vision of developing more competent leaders who will continue to enhance the military for years to come. I consider it a great step in the right direction of becoming an effective and competent leader. I believe that every solder deserves to experience great leadership in order to know what it is to become successful and forward that knowledge and experience toward future soldiers. As leaders, it is important that we preach and instill the Army Values so that young soldiers not only benefit the military, but benefit our society as a whole.
Adaptive leadership is becoming widespread in the United States Army amongst junior officers in leadership positions that require quick thinking and innovation. Leonard Wong discusses how the versatile and unpredictable enemy and situations in Iraq produces adaptable junior officers. These officers are learning to make decisions under chaotic conditions and are becoming more mentally agile. The Army is changing. The Army is transforming its capabilities in the war in Iraq to be effective and successful. General Schoomaker states that we will not accomplish our goals as a nation in the 21st century unless our Army becomes much more agile but with the capacity for long term, sustained level of conflict. The Army is in the process of