Boards Versus Bureaucracies: Field Grade Officer Education in the United States Army, 1946-1985
Abstract
Now that combat related deployments over the past ten years are ending, will the military be prepared in the near future to again operate in unpredictable environments in order to confront future adversaries? Specifically, is the military adequately training and educating officers to deal with future threats, or simply preparing its leaders to fight the last? Only a comprehensive review of the current officer education system could link education preparation to the future battlefield success. In order to accomplish this, one must first understand what makes a comprehensive education review effective. By comparing the context of multiple historical boards conducted within the United States Army from the conclusion of World War II through 1985, personal critiques of serving officers, and the and the evolution of officer education within the Army, one can gain both an appreciation for and overall understanding of the board process. Doing so makes it possible to explain what makes an effective board, identify common reoccurring issues and provide recommendations for future studies in order to help guide those responsible for the development and management of the officer education process. The initial guidance from the review directing authority, time allocated to complete the review, member composition and experience combined with the approach developed by the board are essential considerations for directing future reviews of the officer education system. Adequate Department of the Army emphasis on the review process, the Command and General Staff College as an agent of reform, and field grade officer development is a critical requirement for the success of any officer education review. In addition cutting back the percentages of attendees to the resident course, dropping the Combined Arms and Service Staff School, failing to increase the importance of instructor positions, and granting credit to officers out of their window to attend the resident course has the potenti
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA585945
Entities
People
- Edward B. Bankston
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College