The Need for Meaningful Communications Between Senior Officers and the Young Generation in the US Army Reserve

Abstract

The basic question is whether or not senior officers can communicate with the young generation in the US Army Reserve. The World War II and Korean war background of many senior officers in the reserve often places them in the position of believing that old systems, procedures, and reliance on enforcing regulations have proved to be best; whereas, the young member with no wartime experience or a short period of active duty during the Viet Nam war believe that old methods should be discarded because they have not kept pace with the times. These two concepts tend to negate effective communications. Data was obtained through literature research, interviews with senior officers and young members in the reserve, and evaluation of material resulting from senior-junior officer discussions in 91st Division (Training). Study of this material reveals that senior officers must be more viable in their approach to contemporary problems confronting them in their reserve units. Senior officers at all levels of command must communicate the need for a strong Army Reserve program. Young officers and enlisted men must be convinced that duty always connotes some degree of sacrifice which might not always be offset by available benefits.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 25, 1972
Accession Number
ADA026930

Entities

People

  • Alfred W. Hazen

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Active Duty
  • Army
  • Classification
  • Communities
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Instructors
  • Korean War
  • Materials
  • Personnel Management
  • Recruiting
  • River Crossings
  • Second World War
  • Training
  • United States
  • War
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Strategic Security Studies