Learning Under Fire: Military Units in the Crucible of Combat
Abstract
This monograph explores the subject of organizational learning with an emphasis on how military units learn in combat. The challenges of today's operating environment require groups of soldiers to adapt responsively to a wide array of difficult and sometimes unfamiliar tasks. These efforts to improve unit performance often occur in the middle of an operation and thus involve a quick adjustment of behavior under taxing circumstances. Some scholars promote the concept of 'learning organization' and suggest that such entities have the ability to learn and succeed in situations where others fall short. This is an attractive notion for leaders seeking transformation for their organizations, but it is not free from ambiguity. This study argues that the process of learning demands a deeper explanation, especially when it takes place in the complex environment of combat. Learning occurs differently at the multiple levels of an organization and even varies among separate parts of the same level. Moreover, certain conditions enhance or inhibit the process as it transpires.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450703
Entities
People
- James S. Powell
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College