Organizational Background
The United States (US) military workplace is a unique environment that is grounded on the organizational structure, framework, and rules. The USA Department of Defense (DoD) has headquarters in the pentagon and is primarily recognized as the organizing body in charge of all the military departments and affairs across the USA. The DoD is headed by the Secretary of Defense who serves as the USA's president's chief advisor on issues related to defense. Another entity, the Department of Veterans Affairs, is separate from DoD and concentrates primarily on the veterans. The department of veterans’ affairs is a highly structured entity that governs recruitment, development, growth, and discharge of the soldiers. The US Army is one of the three core military departments, Army, Navy, and the Air Force. The US Army is comprised of two distinct components the active and the reserve components.
In the US Army workplace, both the characteristics of an individual and the military structure are vital in the recruitment and the development of the soldiers. Therefore, the US military culture is essentially a product of the social environment that is grounded in shared values, norms, mission, and vision. The US Army which was founded more than two centuries ago in June 14, 1775 mission statement asserts that the organization’s mission is to fight and win the USA's war by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders (Myers, 2018) . Apart from the mission statement that governs the activities of the soldiers, the core values in the US army are loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Indeed, the recent changes in the vision statement, which currently states that the army will be ready to deploy, fight, and win decisively against any adversary at any time anywhere, in a joint, multi-domain, high-intensity conflict while simultaneously deterring others and maintaining its ability to conduct irregular warfare illustrates the extensive dedication associated with the US Army workplace environment (Myers, 2018) . Grounded in the US Army mission, vision and core values, the paper investigates the relationship between the military leaders or recruiters and the soldiers. The article focuses on how they assist new recruiter integrate into the army, develop and how the US army is embracing technological advancements of the 21 st century to recruit more members to the military.
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Competency Assessment
Values Domain
Trans-disciplinary focus
Trans-disciplinary focus describes efforts of engaging perspectives from different disciplines or professions to advance knowledge and experience that transcends the individual views of each. The USA Army, like many other institutions, both private and the public across the globe, recognizes the importance of trans-disciplinary focus in efforts of sustainable development in the society. The US military work environment is currently a combination of various social and natural sciences that collaborate between and amongst themselves with the relevant societal groups in efforts of taking advantage of the idea of integrated research and development (Trent, 2019) . In the USA Army, integration is an iterative process that encompasses the dedication of all stakeholders from the leaders and the recruiters to the soldiers and the recruited. The USA Army is a combination of different disciples and professions that ensure effective development of weapons and recruitment from the development of weapons, to the training of the soldiers, to the delivery of service and the discharge from the army and integration into the society. A case in point is how the fields of psychology, information technology, and military science have collaborated over the past decades to ensure soldiers are trained to their full capacity. For instance, the simulations of different scenarios that can occur in the battlefield assist inadequate preparations. Undeniably, the collaboration of these particular fields has facilitated the effective integration of new recruiters into the USA army. Similarly, the schools of psychology, nursing, healthcare, and military science work in collaboration to ensure the veterans are effectively integrated into society upon retiring from the army. During the veteran job fair, it is immediately evident that different entities come together not only to employ the retired veterans but also to facilitated quality living.
Facilitation
Systems thinking
Systems thinking describe the ability to recognize the interrelationships of internal and external elements that affect an organization ability to work per their mission and achieve its vision in addition to incorporating system-level adaptations that aim to move an organization towards its goals. In the past two decades, the USA Army was embroiled in different missions in Iraq and Afghanistan that necessitated a deeper understanding of several facets related to delivering the purpose including the local social systems (Thomas, 2019) . Therefore, the Army leaders turned to systems thinking and design thinking in efforts of adequately preparing the soldiers. Systems’ thinking was immediately applied in training in defining problems and in the development of approaches to the strategic and operational challenges.
Additionally, although the USA military is particularly grounded on strict structures, in recent years, the leaders allow the input of the soldiers, therefore in no small extent supporting the development of their leadership style. Allowing the contribution of the soldiers in the army is particularly important since it appeals to the concepts of systems thinking while enabling leaders to monitor the growth and development of the soldiers (Trent, 2019) . Since system systems thinking emphasizes real-world problems and systems, the USA army has applied the technique to align mental models with the mission and goals of the organization and subsequently the society as a whole.
Talent Development
Talent development emphasizes the importance of an organizational climate that fosters and facilitates personal mastery by encouraging the actualization of the highest potential for growth, creativity, and reflective thinking among all the members of an organization. It is the responsibility of the recruiters to acknowledge the individual talent and work to cultivate it in each soldier throughout their careers. Talent describes the total of a soldier's unique abilities, experiences, and habits. Indeed, it is essential for the recruiters and subsequently leaders to recognize how a soldier's life experiences, personal and familial relationships, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, personality, education, and learning styles contribute to the individual soldier's raw talent and as such their role in the military (Laurence, 2011) . Owing to the sensitivity of the work environment that it is the army, it is essential for the recruiters and the leaders to invest in talent management, which facilitates the balancing of the needs of the soldiers and that of the army. Therefore, talent development, to no small extent facilitates proper placement in addition to empowering the employees. The emphasis on the unique capabilities of each soldier is the reason army leaders can mentor individual soldiers to adopt their leadership techniques. Talent management is not forced, generic or cyclical; instead, it is based upon getting to know and understand each soldier in addition to recognizing the needs of the US army (Tinoco & Arnaud, 2013) . Talent development encompasses lines of effort from the top-down and the bottom up, which facilitates the development of great leaders that recognize the mission, vision, and goals of the USA Army and how to achieve these objectives effectively.
Interpersonal Agility
Interpersonal agility describes the ability to understand others at levels that go beyond the surface behaviors and using that understanding to rectify personal and professional responses in a system that facilitates rather than hindering communication and cooperation. Interpersonal agility is particularly important to the military leaders who are currently recognized as one of the most valued aspects of the army. Statistics indicate future threats to the USA range from continued Russian aggression, to cyber-attacks to violent extremism, to terrorism both abroad and in the USA and infectious diseases all which require dedicated leaders (Trent, 2019) . It is, therefore, necessary for the army leaders to evolve to embrace an emerging class of creative and knowledgeable individuals that can effectively address all the threats to the USA defense. Interpersonal agility emphasizes the importance of inclusive leadership rather than a binary approach. Interpersonal agility allows the army leaders to impact their juniors since it facilitates the concept of knowing an individual and understanding how their skills and capabilities correspond with the mission and the goals of the Army. Additionally, Army leaders apply interpersonal agility in facilitating the development of each soldier to their leadership styles.
Knowledge Seeking
Knowledge seeking is a curious and open attitude that allows individuals to be insatiable in their pursuit of knowledge of different concepts both the known and the unknown in efforts of supporting not only the growth of self but also of others. From the recruitment activities, it is evident the recruiters emphasize the importance of an inquisitive attitude throughout the training process. In recent years, the imperative of acquiring and managing knowledge efficiently and effectively is currently a prerequisite in the US army (Myers, 2018) . Knowledge seeking in the US Army is grounded on the same assumptions as other business organization, and the difference is in the context. Majority of army leaders have to research and writing journals and books showcasing a knowledge-seeking habit that translates to the juniors. The US Army work environment encompasses high-risk and high-stakes situations that require extensive research and analysis on the best strategies to adapt in various scenarios. Therefore, it is conclusive both the leaders and the soldiers need extensive knowledge that is embedded in the context of the operation area. Military leaders empower the soldiers to acquire knowledge-seeking attitudes through emphasizing how the threats against the USA are changing due to the technological advancement of the 21 St century, which necessitates extensive research for effective and efficient delivery of service to the USA.
Technology Embracing
Technology embracing as a competency describes a willingness to explore and make use of new and existing technologies that work in support of the Army’s mission, vision, and goals across all areas of performance. For centuries, the US Army has been one of the leading organizations in innovation and embracing technology not only in the USA but also across the globe. Recent events related to the army activities in the world have pinpointed the importance of technology in addressing the current threats to the USA military (Trent, 2019) . For instance, artificial intelligence is on the rise, with many army leaders envisions a future where autonomous gear replaces human soldiers. The Army leaders are emphasizing the importance of embracing technology in efforts of addressing the increasingly popular cyber-attacks. Indeed, current military training emphasizes the role of technology in effectively addressing current and future threats to the USA army defense.
Moreover, the technology is also crucial during recruitment since the US Army currently announces and emphasizes the importance of servicing in the army through social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Apart from being used in the recruitment procedures, technology is also applicable in the training sessions, for instance, through the use of simulation that is meant to depict the exact situation on the battlefield. Therefore, recruiters utilize technology to recruit new soldiers and proceed to apply different techniques to train the soldiers.
Fulfillment
Service-partner Development
Service-partner development describes the commitment to treating clients, staff, colleagues, community members, legislators, advocates, suppliers among other stakeholders as partners in the efforts of meeting the mission and the goals of the US army. The US Army is essentially an integration of various institutions in society. Notably, the military recruits from the members of the public and proceeds o train these individuals to defend the country in the event of both natural and human calamities. Therefore, US society is a significant part of the organization since the discharged members are also expected to integrate back to the community.
Additionally, the US Army is answerable to the government, and the ultimate power is the president. As such, it is conclusive policymakers influence the activities of this institution. Service-partner development encourages army leaders to train and inform their juniors on the importance of collaboration between and amongst the different stakeholders in efforts of ensuring quality service (Lis, 2016) . In doing so, army leaders are training soldiers on the benefits of acknowledging the power the different stakeholders hold in the activities and subsequently, the performance of the army. Indeed, service-partner development represents a facet of fulfillment competency since it facilitates the collaboration of different entities in the USA.
Accountability
Accountability involves the dedication to consistently apply the organization’s standards for excellence in performance and professionalism at all levels and facilitating prompt responses in the event those standards are not met. Accountability is vital to both the soldier and the leaders since it assists in keeping track of all the stuff that is vital for effective delivery of service. As mentioned, the US Army working environment is particularly sensitive as such accountability is very important. Accountability allows the leaders to be answerable to the USA government and the society as a whole while instilling similar behavior among the juniors who are accountable to their superiors (Laurence, 2011) . Indeed, it is the dedication to standards that allow recruiters to recruit qualified individuals personnel and to develop these individuals to deliver positively to the army and grow into well-informed leaders.
Strategic diplomacy
Strategic diplomacy describes the ability to garner support and minimize opposition in efforts of securing the desired outcomes that align with the strategic goals through the use of non-coercive or manipulative persuasion. In this era of high power competition across, the USA needs to assert its position as a world superpower through its activities that focus on the growth and security not only in the USA but also abroad (Laurence, 2011) . Currently, military and economic engage ment abroad occurs at an independent capacity. However, military leaders are pinpointing the advantages of integrated economic and social campaigns that focus on threats in the 21 st century from terrorism to migrant flow to non-state threats. While the military is often considered the last resort, the US Army through well-informed leaders has been a critical player in the spread of diplomacy, humanitarian assistance operations and building better relationships with different countries through military to military relations (Trent, 2019) . Therefore, it is crucial for military leaders to recognize and teach the soldiers the importance of such operations in the diplomatic efforts of the USA as a country. Indeed, emphasizing bilateral or multilateral military exercises allows for cultural exchange and understanding while offering an opportunity to expand each nation’s capabilities.
Effective Communication
Effective communication describes the ability to clearly and accurately convey a message as intended through the effective use of written, verbal, and non-verbal techniques in a way that is not only professional but also situationally appropriate. It is vital for military leaders to effectively communicate their intention and decision to their colleagues and their juniors (Ford, 2015) . The technological advancements of the 21 st century have made communication between and amongst different individuals in the army relatively easy. Indeed, the USA army can currently announce the recruitment process and procedures online, and interested individuals can apply at the convenience of their homes. Effective communication simplifies the training session since the leaders can quickly and effectively address the soldiers.
Organizational Assessment
The US Army is primarily a social institution with distinct values and beliefs that have been developed over centuries to facilitate the quality delivery of service. From the analysis of competences, the military culture, particularly the values associated with the US Army, are instilled early in the soldier's career as part of the training and socialization into this unique organization. At this point, it is essential to recognize the important rule of the recruiters and the leaders in facilitating the initial assimilation of mere civilians into the US Army. Many attested that the military produces committed individuals and great leaders since its activities are highly structured with strict rank hierarchies to minimize the uncertainty of the battlefield. However, in recent years, the US Army is more beyond the controlling aspect to embrace innovation and system thinking (Thomas, 2019) . Indeed, the experiences in the USA in the Middle Ea st over the past decade has pinpointed on the importance of expanding the training horizons. For instance, currently, the USA Army acknowledges the benefits associated with trans-disciplinary focus, systems thinking, knowledge-seeking, talent development, and technology in ensuring that soldiers are adequately prepared for the battlefield. Indeed, the delivery in the battlefield extends beyond physical competence and prowess to encompass an understanding of the local systems, individual strengths and weakness of each soldier, extensive simulations of different scenarios that can occur in the battlefield, which are all grounded on extensive trans-disciplinary research.
Service partner development and strategic diplomacy is another crucial aspect since the military requires stability, a factor that currently does not exist due to fluctuating budgets and tenuous congressional approval on budget. These particular uncertainties can be effectively reduced if the army leaders were to emphasize the importance of service-partner development and strategic diplomacy in the training of new soldiers (Tinoco & Arnaud, 2013) . Indeed, the soldiers will develop to acknowledge the role that each stakeholder plays in the activities of the Army as such, developing to be well-informed individuals. In a similar capacity, strategic diplomacy is vital in avoiding unnecessary confrontation since it employs system thinking in solving problems that the military faces.
Over the years, the USA Army has made several improvements that have improved the satisfaction of the veterans, including the fact that the institution is slowing embracing the concern for the member needs. Previously, the US Army was criticized for placing the needs of the society and the country before those of the veterans (Tinoco & Arnaud, 2013) . However, currently, the institution endeavors to align the needs of individual soldiers with the mission and the goals of the institution. The US Army is a reliable error- free team environment that is grounded on various values which enable soldiers to work effectively under severest of situations with minimal damage.
Self-reflection Assessment
In my assessment, I believe the military effectively delivers its mission and goals since services in the military are grounded in a progressive and sequential series of carefully planned training structures, education and experimental events that emphasizes the sensitivity of the work environment that is the army. It is evident military leaders, and the recruiters hold high levels of responsibility and authority which allows them to effectively train and will enable each soldier to grow and adapt their leadership style (Lis, 2016) . Indeed, the USA Army i s grounded on the concept of duty, service, and self-sacrifice, soldiers, take an oath to that effect. Therefore, each soldier is committed to the organization from the moment they are recruited. The army takes the concept of placing the followers’ needs before those of the leader to heart a factor that facilitates rather than hinder the growth of different individuals. I have learned the application of various domains including but not limited to trans-disciplinary focus, systems thinking, talent development, interpersonal agility, knowledge-seeking, embracing technology, service partner development, strategic diplomacy, innovative thinking, and effective communication all are meant to ensure leaders deliver well. Indeed, leadership in the army values interpersonal agility, effective communication which allows that caring extends beyond the professional arena to personal capacity. Indeed, I acknowledge that leadership grounded on valuing the individual is essential since the work environment of the army transcends monetary rewards since soldiers often work in life or death situations most of the times. I have learned that the US military recruiters and leaders impact on the lives of the soldiers through sticking to the values the military holds dear which ensure both professional and personal growth of each soldier and as such a productive work environment capable of producing adequate leaders for the incoming generation of soldiers.
Conclusion
The USA Army is a highly trained institution that is ready to defend the USA at a moment's notice. Like any other organization, over the years, the US Army has developed its own culture and techniques of conducting business. The ultimate authority of the Army is the president of the US, who is acknowledged as the commander in chief of the Armed Forces. To effectively serve the USA, the military culture is ingrained in the soldiers from the moment they are recruited. Therefore, it is deductible that the recruiters and the army leaders play a significant role in the development of the soldier. The recruited individuals spend the majority of their first year in the service undergoing training. The training is repeated throughout the service member career in the military. The training and development of each soldier are grounded on different competencies including but not limited to trans-disciplinary focus, systems thinking, embracing technology, accountability, talent development, knowledge-seeking, interpersonal agility, innovative thinking, and effective communication. All these domains facilitate the growth of each soldier in the USA army. Notably, in the current century, the technical advancements of this age have encouraged the US Army to embrace technology throughout its activities from the recruitment to the training and delivery of services in addition to the development of weapons.
References
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Laurence, J. (2011). Military leadership and the complexity of combat and culture. Military Psychology , 489-501.
Lis, A. (2016). The manifestation of positive leadership strategies in the doctrinal assumptions of the US Army leadership concept. Journal of Corporate Responsibility and Leadership , 51-61.
Myers, M. (2018, June 6). The army released a new vision statement- here are three things soldiers need to know. Retrieved July 11, 2019, from Army Times: https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/06/06/the-army-released-a-new-vision-statement-here-are-3-things-soldiers-need-to-know/
Thomas, M. A. (2019). Spaghetti: Systems thinking and the US Army. Defense Studies , 1-21.
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