The army has been one of the greatest forums in the nation that trains leaders. The army is famous for its value and culture that campaigns for high level of discipline, commitment, responsibility and continuous improvement of the intellect power. The development of leaders is a process that relies on the outcome needed and the skills instilled in an individual which are the vehicle to their execution of their duties. In the United States Army, leader development is conducted on self-development, operational and institutional levels (Parson & Fischer, 2013). The training is aimed at ensuring that each individual is transformed into a great leader and this process challenges the traditional methods of leadership training. That raises curiosity to the mantra of whether leaders are made or born.
In the past, leaders were believed to be born and even today, some people still consider this valid. However, the United States Army, has gone out of its way and ignored this factor. As a result, the institution has designed a strategy that helps boost the confidence, ability, and other interpersonal skills that are needed for them to become effective leaders (Parson & Fischer, 2013). The Army Leader Development Program is based on the seven values. These values include respect, duty to mankind, loyalty to cause, selfless service, personal courage, integrity, and honor (Parson & Fischer, 2013).
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Respect
Treat people with dignity and expect the same back. This value helps army people to learn how to appreciate and co-exist with people of various characters and other different beliefs.
Duty to Mankind
Here, the expectation is everyone to be committed to their obligations and ensure they are accomplished as a team and not an individual.
Selfless Service
This means that an army officer should learn to put the needs of others, the nation, and their subordinates first before their own. This commitment should come without the need for recognition but a goal to assist in achieving the desired goal of the team and add value to the cause.
Personal Courage
Standing up for all that is right, despite the situation it puts one in is a thing known with the army. The are ready to face fear and challenge the adversity either moral or physical just to ensure they do what is honorable.
Integrity
With this value, one is expected to always do what does not deceive others and what is morally and legally right. The more one conducts their duties and makes decisions with the observation of this virtue, the more people trust and believe in him or her.
Loyalty to cause
Bear true faith in your team, the nation, the constitution and the army is a principle that guides the operations and decision guide for the individuals who have undertaken this training.
Honor
Living up to the values of the army is important. Indeed the Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award in the military.
Each of these values plays a significant role in modeling each trainee in the domain to become reliable, strong and committed to the achievement of their set goal. The values help them become ready to do a little more, become a little committed, hold on a little longer and also relate well with people. Moreover, the course ensures that they are all more focused in attaining achievements collectively and not individually. All these aspects create a strong foundation for all of them to be exceptional in their undertaking and most importantly, they meet the qualities of a great leader (Parson & Fischer, 2013). Therefore, the army leader development process is a fundamental tool that challenges the fact leaders, are born because sure enough,their strategies of training transforms the normal people into leaders.
However, the army leadership program is not only based on the seven values, it comprises of various features that are all aimed at enhancing the leadership skills of individuals. These skills ensure that the civilians are transformed into professionals that are always ready for any situation (Parson & Fischer, 2013). This factor is achieved through education, exposure to opportunities that help them learn and experience. As a result, the trainees are taken in dynamic places for their missions, given tasks that require analytical and proper decision-making, are exposed to diversity and are made to understand that all their decisions and actions have a repercussion and they are responsible for them all (Parson & Fischer, 2013). Therefore, intense and long training is done in team and at the end of it all, everyone is trained to be independent and empowered with skills to solve most the challenges they are likely to face. For these exceptional input of manpower and knowledge of these people, most of them stand out in the communities, in their missions and even in the nation (Parson & Fischer, 2013). As a result, the army leader development program has attained a lot of credit for its achievement in transforming civilians into professional leaders that are effective and efficient in the society. Conclusively,leaders are not always born, they can be made too.
Reference
Parson, J. B., & Fischer, C. W. (2013). From one leader to another . Fort Leavenworth, KS:
Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army Combined Arms Center.
