Setting the Moral Tone in Operational Level Commands,
Abstract
This monograph seeks to determine how operational level commanders establish the tone of the command and how they exercise their will through all elements of the command. To establish a context for answering this question, an overview of the strategic environment is conducted. This overview reveals that the United States, when executing the strategy of engagement and enlargement with a shrinking force structure, will rely on the response of all uniformed services and the participation of its allies to meet strategic goals. A review of major actions also demonstrates that the United States historically operates in concert with its allies when conducting operations. The strategic environment is such that U.S. forces will likely operate as a joint team, with multiple services represented in the field and on the commander's staff. Combined operations will be the norm, increasing the complexity of command and control. The next section of the monograph presents such doctrine that exists for senior level commanders. The Army is the only service that has a written doctrine aimed at senior leaders. Other Services have no separate written doctrine for leaders at high levels but are thinking and writing professionally about the unique characteristics of command at the operational level. Using Army doctrine as a framework, the monograph next considers two case studies to see what enabled two senior level commanders to exert their will through multiple layers of command to the individual soldier and to see how the command came to reflect the person of the commander.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331142
Entities
People
- Jay H. Hale
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College