Developing Future Military Leaders: Potential Predictors for Strategic Success
Abstract
To be successful, a strategic leader must exhibit a wide spectrum of competencies based on training, experience and education. Recently, multiple strategic leaders have not "survived" their strategic leadership tours. In the past three years, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates has accepted the resignation of three, four star generals and one four star flag officer, three of which were assigned to Central Command (CENTCOM) when they resigned; a testament to the inherently diverse campaigns being waged in CENTCOM's area of responsibility. It is not enough to blame these resignations of very successful tactical and operational leaders on the complex nature of strategic positions or on the persistent state of war being waged by our nation. This paper looks at the biographies of the four generals/flag officers that resigned, and compares their civilian education, their joint staff experience, their combatant command staff experience, and their intermediate and senior professional military education to the careers of over 40 other four star generals/flag officers that are currently, or who have recently served in strategic leadership positions across the Department of Defense (DoD).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA547313
Entities
People
- Troy P. Molendyke
Organizations
- United States Army War College