At the National Training Center, we spend time assisting units to build their understanding of doctrine, the operations process, the science of control, and the fundamentals our units must execute on the modern battlefield. While critical to our success on future battlefields, some rotational units overlook the most critical element of combat power: leadership.
As I sat back a couple of months ago perusing “66 Stories of Battle Command” one simple observation jumped out. When looking back on their time in the Army, our most successful leaders nearly always talk about “people.” They focus on the actions of the subordinate leaders they served alongside. They talk about leader development, understanding, and efforts of soldiers on the front lines. In essence, they speak of leaders making a difference.
When the National Training Center was founded in the early 1980’s, few understood the long term impact it would have on our force. But, the first Commander of Operations Group, made an astute observation when he said, “The real worth of the NTC will be clear within the early days of the next war.” While few leaders may go to war in the position they serve in during a rotation, what they learn as leaders on the NTC battlefield will influence the performance of our Army in the wars to come.
Often forgotten by many, the National Training Center’s greatest contribution to our Army are leader development experiences carried away by those we train. We develop leaders at the National Training Center each and every month…in contact with a fierce replicated enemy force amid the toughest operational environment the Army can provide.
This month, Operations Group examines the art of leadership, its application on the replicated NTC battlefield, and what some of our more successful rotational unit leaders do to build winning teams. If you want to be a great battlefield leader, you’ve got to practice being a good leader. If you want to be a good leader that prepares their unit for the rigors of the Army’s best replicated combat, start here.
As always, thank you for everything you do for our force. If there is any way Operations Group can assist your efforts to build your team, don’t hesitate to ask.
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Below are links to the individual observations and best practices. You can also find the entire PDF HERE.
- Battlefield Leadership – From the Fort to the Front; by Col. Michael Simmering, Outlaw 01
- Moments that Matter: Leading in Crucial Moments at the National Training Center; by Lt. Col. (Promotable) Andrew Steadman, Bronco 07
- The Importance of Relationships and Their Effects on the Battlefield; by Lt. Col. Jonathon M. Genge, Cobra 07
- Battlefield Leadership Starts Before the Battle; by Lt. Col. Neil J. Myres, Tarantula 07
- Commander’s Decisions; by Lt. Col. Jeff Barta, Scorpion 07
- Indirect Influence: Considerations for Organizational Leadership; by Lt. Col. Justin D. Harper, Panther 07
- Leadership of the Brigade Combat Team Joint Fires Enterprise; by Col. Thomas Caldwell, Wolf 07
- From Where does the Aviation Task Force Commander Fight?; by Lt. Col. Timothy Jaeger, Eagle 07
- The TACP – A Lesson in Incorporating Enablers; by MSgt. Aaron Cass, USAF, Raven 40
- Making Your C2 Enterprise Facilitate Your Leadership; by Lt. Col. Rett Burroughs, Lizard 30
- The Intelligence War-fighting Function – Battlefield Leadership of a Team of Teams; by Lt. Col. Brendon Devers, Lizard 09
- A Training Relationship: How Sustainment Leaders and Units are Developed; by Lt. Col. Fenicia Jackson, Goldminer 07
Complete archive of The Company Leader Posts