Is the U.S. Army a Learning Organization?
Abstract
In August 1994, the U.S. Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) released a seventy-page document entitled TRADOC Pamphlet 525-5, Force XXI Operations. This document described many enabling capabilities of Force XXI, and also stated that the Army had become a "learning organization" through a process started in 1989. There are five disciplines associated with learning organizations: shared vision, team learning, personal mastery, mental models, and systems thinking. In reality, the Army has not integrated these disciplines into its training regimens or daily operations. If it truly wants to be a learning organization, the Army must continue working toward integration of each of these disciplines, establish standards for their integration, and determine metrics to measure learning organization behavior. In addition, the Army should: a. Update its vision and purpose statements to be more accessible for all Soldiers and civilians, and continue its focus on the Army values. b. Make a commitment to start training the learning organization's disciplines early in the careers of its Soldiers and civilians. It should also develop continuing learning plans and opportunities for senior Soldiers and civilians to help ensure that they implement change successfully, as well as internalize the disciplines of the learning organization. c. Work to change its culture and place more value on candor and the search for truth and reality among its Soldiers and civilians. d. Encourage commanders to use TRADOC's systems to assist them with lessons, and ensure that our organizations submit timely, accurate, and honest reports to TRADOC.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 08, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA469631
Entities
People
- John D. Williams
Organizations
- United States Army War College