Leadership in a Garrison Environment Essay Example

difference between the two when leading soldiers. We establish those repetitions, fix mistakes and build that muscle memory in training so soldiers can execute in combat whenever necessary. If a leaders then uses that prebuilt structure to act in combat. They already know what their soldiers are capable of and are able to act and make the proper judgment call given the situations they might encounter.

AR 600-20 specifically tell leaders to perform actions such as care for the well-being of Soldiers, properly training their Soldiers, develop subordinates competence and provide a positive climate. In doing so, subordinate leaders also have a role to support each of these functions. A challenge for commanders in garrison is to continue to plan and execute training on effective tactics and battle drills. While also maintaining the traditions, ceremonies and boards important to the unit history. Focus on current conflicts has caused some degradation and the declining of performance on core competencies and skill sets. This is impacting traditional roles, missions and methods of operating. Heavy emphasis on preparing for deployments has cause unit commanders/leaders to stray from some basic soldier tasks.

Also a challenge of transitioning to a Garrison Army is felt in a different way across the enlisted ranks, as leaders typically face more challenges disciplining troops at home. Returning from the adrenaline filled combat environment is a struggle for leaders to replicate in training for soldiers. Soldiers may have survived multiple combat tours and brushes with death, which can lead to a sense of invincibility and the need to seek out the rush of war from thrills like reckless driving, extreme sports and drug/alcohol abuse. As a whole,

leadership in garrison is an Army wide problem set that every leader must actively working to provide the best guidance to soldiers for the future of the army. Tight budgets only allowed units getting ready to deploy to experience the most realistic and large scale training events. The type of exercises that focus the soldier and boosts morale while allowing leaders to see the cumulative effects of training with their soldiers. Leaders should strive to prepare soldiers for not just the current threat but for the future ones as well.

Across the army, a leader must be willing to learn and adapt to the new trends while above all else remember to uphold the values and traditions of the army. Modern Civilization and the way information is gained has a huge effect and impact on leaders in the army as well. Good leaders who understand this and are willing to progress are essential to the army to achieve its desired goals. The role of an army leader is ensure that all the objectives of the organization completed successfully. Leaders are the face of the army and must be the best example through both actions and words. Another thing to remember is that the army creates its own leaders. Unlike the civilian sector, the army does not enlist, select or choose mid – level or senior leaders from outside the organization. It relies on the leaders currently in command to assess, train, and prepare future leaders to take up those roles and achieve mission success to the same standards.

The ability and motivation required to lead and train Soldiers in order to achieve mission success requires a skill

set of diverse attributes and competencies, all of which are outlined by the Army in detail in ADP 6-22. The application of these traits and expertise’s are crucial in real world applications in garrison is especially to prepare for future combat. Discipline, fitness, trust, character and intellect are no less important and definitely necessary in a garrison setting. The principles of leadership are constants that are fundamental and unchanging regardless of situation.  Leadership attributes and competencies defined by the Army apply to all leaders without regard to a garrison or combat setting.  The responsibility that leaders have to their subordinates is a constant and imperative aspect of their obligation to provide sound leadership.  Realistic, challenging and pertinent training is a crucial culmination of the leadership attributes, competencies and responsibilities that a leader must impress upon their subordinates.  The apotheosis of leadership transcends both the garrison and combat environments with equal importance.  Nothing less than equal application of leadership is acceptable.

References

1. AR 600-20 Army Command Policy
2. ADP 6-22 Army Leadership
3. ADP 7-0 Training Units and Developing Leaders