Similarities/Differences in Combat/Peacetime Leadership
Abstract
America has fought several wars in this century. Until recently, the most vivid in the minds of Americans has been the Vietnam War. The Persian Gulf War demonstrated that the U.S. Army has changed drastically from the armies that marched to war in the past, especially the army of the Vietnam era. Changes in doctrine, training, leadership and the establishment of an all-volunteer force have caused this change. As an army transitions to war there have always been similarities and differences in the way a leader must lead. This paper is a study of peacetime and combat leadership in today's Army using Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm as a case study. The author describes the process of developing high performance units by achieving a 'band of excellence'. Leadership comparisons between combat and peacetime are made under the sub- headings of leadership; discipline; training; motivation/morale health, welfare and safety, family support; and transition from peace to combat. The author concludes that leadership in peacetime and combat is very similar in high performance units and offers recommendations . The primary sources for the study are personal interviews of currently serving commanders, a survey of Army War College students who served as commanders or staff during the Persian Gulf War and the author's personal experience as a combat commander of a field artillery battalion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA249933
Entities
People
- Kenneth R. Knight
Organizations
- United States Army War College