Army Grit: Field Marshal Viscount Slims Key to Victory
Abstract
By driving the previously invincible Japanese out of Burma in 1945, the Fourteenth Army and its commander, Field Marshal Viscount William Slim, demonstrated that they had the right stuff. To cope with war's demands, military personnel have to know what it means to dig deep during self-study, training, and execution. Psychologist and MacArthur "genius grant" winner, Angela Duckworth argues that grit, which she defines as a combination of key qualities, is essential to exceptional achievement. Duckworth's research-backed grit construct sheds lights on why some succeed and others do not. This monograph, using the historical case study method, reveals that Slim's personal attributes were highly correlated with Duckworth's construct and that he forged a gritty culture within the Fourteenth Army. This study first analyzes how Slim's grittiness grew to enable him to overcome near insurmountable personal and professional obstacles along his path to the mastery of the military art. It then traces the Allies' bitter defeat in 1942, Slim's implementation of a thoughtful morale-building and progressive training program within the Fourteenth Army, and the gritty team's actions that resulted in victory. The results of this analysis demonstrate grit's relevance to the modern Army. The grit construct is a useful addendum to existing Army leadership doctrine. Its emphasis on nested goals, common understanding, and continuous communication make it a natural fit for the mission command philosophy. In the contemporary complex operating environment, grittier Soldiers and leaders are better suited to cope with, learn from, and overcome the challenges inherent to the nature of war. This study concludes with suggestions, culled from Duckworth's research, for how best to grow grit, not just in yourself, but within your organization as well.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1038986
Entities
People
- Matthew J. Fontaine
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies