Transforming Military Leaders
Abstract
A phrase that captures the challenges associated with the Global War on Terrorism is as follows: "Dirty funds from Grand Caymans to dirty bombs in Grand Central." It identifies America's security challenge within an interconnected global environment as money from ill-gotten means in one part of the world can eventually and somewhat unknowingly support a catastrophic event in another part. Consequentially, the United States must transform its military instrument of power to defeat its enemies and show its alliance with friends to defeat this adverse aspect of globalization. However, this requires a transformation of military power and a renewed emphasis on developing new strategic leadership competencies to fully execute the National Security Strategy across the parochial elements of diplomatic, information, military and economic power. This paper examines globalization and the transformed thinking needed by today's military leaders. Furthermore, it advocates that leaders must focus on developing four main strategic leadership competencies that are broadly identified as communicating, empowering, innovating, and educating. In sum, the United States Military must transform its military thinking and use of power to combat a world order dominated by asymmetrical threats and failed nation-states with a creed of "leadership beyond authority" as its cornerstone that is supported by these four competencies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 15, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA449377
Entities
People
- Bartholomew W. Weiss
Organizations
- United States Army War College