In any organization, leadership entails the continuous process where individuals or groups of individuals influence, guide, and control the thoughts, actions, behavior, and emotions of the rest of the individuals within the organization in the achievement and realization of a common goal or objective (Alexandra, 2016). Competence and intellect are among the fundamental traits a leader must possess to have sound decision-making skills necessary to meet the workforce's demands. The army is no different. As an integral part of the nation, the army is an epitome of discipline and security in which the general population and individuals in the army rely on for the safety and well-being of themselves, their families, and future generations in the quest to pursue and maintain peace and prosperity (Roberts, 2018). Historically, great battles have been won as a result of great leadership, planning, and tact. The success of any army is dependent on its organizational structure.
The "be-know-do" philosophy defines Army leadership. The structure that organizes the levels of leadership within the military initially focuses on the leader's traits. Who he or she must be. The character of a leader determines how they will shape soldiers to achieve the army's objectives. Values and attributes of an individual come into play that ultimately motivates others around both inside and outside the chain of command to think alike, focus, shape decisions, and pursue actions spelled out in the organization's goals (Alexandra, 2016). The evolution of army leadership is embedded in the historical advancements of a nation. Its laws, where accountability and authority provide confidence, dedication, and knowledge to the leaders themselves, the soldiers they are in charge of, and the population they are meant to protect. Military leadership is also charged with grooming and training subordinates and young soldiers into leadership roles as the traits are traversed across the spectrum (Storlie, 2018). Hence, everyone in the army must be competent, professional, and intellectual.
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There are three levels of leadership in the military; direct, organizational, and strategic. These levels differ in terms of scope and depth of service required and work put in, but the core competencies a leader has is required in all levels (AR 600-100, 2007). Leaders must demonstrate a high level of soundness, tact, and confidence to manage unanticipated scenarios through all these leadership levels. Leaders must be able to be sound decision-makers under stress and project their actions' political and strategic implications. Being the frontline level, a direct leadership level involves leaders of squads and tactical units through cohesive teams to guide and empower subordinates to execute army orders and implement army policies. Leaders in this level develop and refine their decision-making skills, intuition, communication skills, analytical and interpersonal skills (AR 600-100, 2007). These leaders focus on short-range planning for mission accomplishment and must work independently and use the available resources.
Organization level leadership is more complex existing in brigades and corps levels. Organizational leaders include directorates through installation levels and assistants through the army level (AR 600-100, 2007). These leaders manage multiple priorities, such as tailor resources to the organization using an established long-term vision. Through dealing with more people and more complexity, increased risks and uncertainty becomes apparent. Hence, these leaders have to have direct-level leadership competencies and critical reasoning, adept communication skills, quick and sound decision-making skills in policymaking and implementing, planning, programming, and budgeting. These leaders' focus is majorly on mid-range planning over a timeline of one year to half a decade. The army's highest leadership level is the strategic level leadership encompassing military and civilian leaders in divisions and corps through the national level. These leaders boast experience in establishing military structures. They allocate resources and articulate a strategic vision that guides the army's endeavors (AR 600-100, 2007). Strategic leaders are also tasked with assessing external environments that are ever-changing in creating and contextualizing future military roles and developing strategic plans, policies, and laws that give the mandate to the army's powers and limits. Strategic leaders work in conjunction with dignitaries and high-level leaders in the government to maintain a synchronized system within the military and political arena. Strategic leaders possess all direct and organizational leaders' skills with long military service experience providing long-range vision from half a decade to two decades or more.
In conclusion, military leadership is the most important underlying factor in its success as an organization. Despite its dependence on government funding, policies, and laws, a military is an independent unit that works with the government to realize a common goal: national security, peace, and prosperity. Leaders are not born, but they are made (Petrick, 2015). Soldiers are trained on how to be competent leaders as soon as they enlist into the army. Discipline and service being at the core of the military, the organizational structure facilitates leadership skills in individuals, resulting in career advancement, development of confidence and alleviating egotism, and having the moral and physical courage to put your fellow's needs citizen before your own.
References
Alexandra, M. (2016). Army Leadership. CEFME Students Conference 2016. Retrieved from UNOB : https://www.unob.cz/vyzkum_vyvoj/Stranky/sbornik/pdf/MUNTEANU.pdf
ADP 6-22. (2019). Army Leadership and the Profession. Army Doctrine Publication. Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from FAS : https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/adp6_22.pdf
AR 600-100. (2007). Army Leadership. Army Regulation. Department of the Army, Washington, D.C. Retrieved from FAS : https://fas.org/irp/doddir/army/ar600-100.pdf
Petrick, J. (2015). The Importance of Leadership Training in the Army. Retrieved from Chron : https://work.chron.com/importance-leadership-training-army-23722.html
Roberts, R. (2018). 12 Principles of modern military leadership: Part 1. Retrieved from Army University Press : https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2018/May/12-Principles-Part1/
Storlie, C. (2018). Army Leadership: Develop Leaders Three Levels Down. Retrieved from Pharm Exec.: https://www.pharmexec.com/view/army-leadership-lessons-develop-leaders-three-levels-down
