Posted on Sep 3, 2014
Adapting Leadership to Meet the Digital Future
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I am sure you all have heard about Army Learning Concept 2015 and the way ahead for our Army. I have sat in on a few briefings from many other regarding the changes that are coming and it will be challenging. But it is not anything that we as NCOs cannot handle. We have been adapting to change since the inception of our Corps.
When I first enlisted, we learned how to conduct land navigation with a map, protractor, and compass. I did not know what a PLGR was until I got to Korea in 1997. My crew, a SPC and PFC, gave me a block of instruction. Now we have Garmens, FBCB2, and many other toys and trinkets. I remember when we transitioned from PRC77s, 442s, and 524s for communication equipment. I know, I am dating myself here. The Army moved to SINGARS when I was in TRADOC at Ft Knox. We were teaching from old POIs and I did not get smart on the new communication equipment until I got to Ft Carson with 3rd ACR. Again, I got “schooled” from my crew, a SGT, SPC, and PFC. I have changed weapons platforms my entire career. I started with M113s, moving to M1025s, to Bradleys, to M1114s and M1151s, to Strykers, and then to MRAPs. With each change, we became more lethal on the battlefield. With each change, technology was moving us that much further ahead of any enemy on the battlefield.
We now have the most tactically sound force our Army has ever fielded. Our NCO Corps is made up of seasoned warriors with multiple combat tours in multiple theaters. Each one of you has something to bring to the fight. The challenge is passing that knowledge and experience on to our younger NCOs and Soldiers within our ranks.
Technology is everywhere. There are knowledge centers all over the web, Facebook, RallyPoint, and other social media. TRADOC is recording training and placing it on podcast so students and Soldiers can train outside of the classroom. Our Army and NCO Corps are moving fast with these digital upgrades and changes. The train is moving out, and we better get on board.
So what does that mean to us, the NCO Corps? It means we have to adapt our leadership style to meet these changes. Does that mean podcast counseling sessions? Absolutely not. Does that mean not taking accountability because you “didn’t get the email or text?” Absolutely not. It means staying true to the values, ideals, and traditions that got us here. Train your Soldiers. Develop them. Allow them the opportunity to excel. Conduct regular small unit training events. Put that young SPC or SGT in charge. Let them plan, resource, and execute training for your squad or team. Give them proper AAR comments and allow them the opportunity to add the improvements to the next training event. Ensure your Soldiers understand the importance of inter-personal skills. Talk to them. Counsel them. Conduct NCO calls.
These are just a few things we have inadvertently moved away from over the years. We need to get back to them.
The way ahead is digital. The way to get there is not. What are you doing to combine the digital present and future, our history of rich traditions, and the need to train and develop our future Leaders?
When I first enlisted, we learned how to conduct land navigation with a map, protractor, and compass. I did not know what a PLGR was until I got to Korea in 1997. My crew, a SPC and PFC, gave me a block of instruction. Now we have Garmens, FBCB2, and many other toys and trinkets. I remember when we transitioned from PRC77s, 442s, and 524s for communication equipment. I know, I am dating myself here. The Army moved to SINGARS when I was in TRADOC at Ft Knox. We were teaching from old POIs and I did not get smart on the new communication equipment until I got to Ft Carson with 3rd ACR. Again, I got “schooled” from my crew, a SGT, SPC, and PFC. I have changed weapons platforms my entire career. I started with M113s, moving to M1025s, to Bradleys, to M1114s and M1151s, to Strykers, and then to MRAPs. With each change, we became more lethal on the battlefield. With each change, technology was moving us that much further ahead of any enemy on the battlefield.
We now have the most tactically sound force our Army has ever fielded. Our NCO Corps is made up of seasoned warriors with multiple combat tours in multiple theaters. Each one of you has something to bring to the fight. The challenge is passing that knowledge and experience on to our younger NCOs and Soldiers within our ranks.
Technology is everywhere. There are knowledge centers all over the web, Facebook, RallyPoint, and other social media. TRADOC is recording training and placing it on podcast so students and Soldiers can train outside of the classroom. Our Army and NCO Corps are moving fast with these digital upgrades and changes. The train is moving out, and we better get on board.
So what does that mean to us, the NCO Corps? It means we have to adapt our leadership style to meet these changes. Does that mean podcast counseling sessions? Absolutely not. Does that mean not taking accountability because you “didn’t get the email or text?” Absolutely not. It means staying true to the values, ideals, and traditions that got us here. Train your Soldiers. Develop them. Allow them the opportunity to excel. Conduct regular small unit training events. Put that young SPC or SGT in charge. Let them plan, resource, and execute training for your squad or team. Give them proper AAR comments and allow them the opportunity to add the improvements to the next training event. Ensure your Soldiers understand the importance of inter-personal skills. Talk to them. Counsel them. Conduct NCO calls.
These are just a few things we have inadvertently moved away from over the years. We need to get back to them.
The way ahead is digital. The way to get there is not. What are you doing to combine the digital present and future, our history of rich traditions, and the need to train and develop our future Leaders?
Technology
Social Media
Leadership
Command Post
NCOs
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
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Very well written! Personally, I have a few concerns about some aspects of the digital world/technology. I remember the map/compas/protractor. I am rusty on those skills, but can still perform well with them. In this day of technology....Garmin et. al. my concerns is "who can still perform the tasks in the old way?" Here are my thoughts....world is an evil place now days. If the GPS system is brought down (loose space assessts like satalites), or there is a nuclear detination with EM Pulse, how will people/troops navigate? I feel it is still important to teach the "old school methods", even tho they are outdated. Batteries die, electronics get fried, but map and compas.... going to be hard to take those away!
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1SG Steven Stankovich
Absolutely concur sir!!! Those are perishable skillsets that need to be dusted off, or initially trained, to ensure they can be applied if/when needed. I have, as well as numerous other folks I am sure, that story where we were downrange and the FBCB2 went out, or the PLGR stopped working, etc. You need to have the skillset to revert back to the "old school" way of conducting business to ensure mission accomplishment.
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CPT Ahmed Faried
Very right Sir, especially in light of China's increasing investment in A2AD technology. We are efficient as a military because of our technology but it can also be our achilles heel as China has come to realize.
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I have created a tracker the will keep me informed on when counselings and NCOERs are due. I updated with the new systems and the way ahead for upcoming changes to evaluations. I have learned and trained on the Record Review Tool and the IPPS-A system. We have to stay current with all the new technology and challenge ahead in the year 2020.
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Great post MSG Stankovich! Tech is the way of the present and the future, but it does not replace leadership. Who knows what the future holds, but I don't see tech replacing the day to day care and maintenance of our most valuable assets, our service members, anytime in our lifetimes.
Your post also serves as a reminder to those of us that grew up with maps and protractors, charts and darts, etc., that we may very well have some catching up to do to stay on par with our younger service members!
Thanks for sharing!
Your post also serves as a reminder to those of us that grew up with maps and protractors, charts and darts, etc., that we may very well have some catching up to do to stay on par with our younger service members!
Thanks for sharing!
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1SG Steven Stankovich
I apprecaite the feedback MSG Huffman. Toys and trinkets are cool, but nothing replaces that one-on-one interaction.
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1SG (Join to see)
1SG Steven Stankovich , It's refreshing to know that today's NCOs have grasped these new systems that have replaced the ones I grew up on (M60A1, M113, M551), grasped the new technology of weapons systems, comms systems, navigation systems, but have not forgotten the old methods that will still work when the toys and trinkets breakdown, lose power, or the batteries. Just wondering, do you still carry a P38? Awesome Post you wrote! Well said!
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1SG Steven Stankovich
I do Top!!! LOL!!! I still carry mine...along with a challenge coin for the bar...
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