Battle Command: What is It, Why is It Important, and How do We Get It.
Abstract
Battle command: the commander's ability to think conceptually, analytically, and critically in an uncertain environment to visualize an endstate and articulate this vision to his staff and subordinate leaders. We do not understand or execute effective battle command throughout the force today. Additionally, the Army has not developed a strategy to correct this problem, even though it is a vital component of successful operations. This paper is focused on the tactical leader -- the battalion and brigade commander and their cognitive abilities required to 'visualize the terrain, the enemy, himself, and desired endstate, and articulate this vision'. There are many factors contributing to battle command failure; poor understanding, personnel turbulence, and little institutional training. The Army is at a crucial crossroads in the development and preparation of its early 21st century brigade and battalion commanders. Without significant, perhaps radical, changes in preparing these leaders with effective battle command skills, our warfighting capability as the leading landpower force will be in jeopardy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA308979
Entities
People
- Michael T. Hayes
Organizations
- United States Army War College