Do you believe that a previously deployed leader is a better leader then one that has not?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 00:14:14 -0500

Just curious due to soldiers reactions.

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Feb 18 at 2014 1:56 AM

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 01:56:04 -0500

Leadership is a trait that exists in all sorts of professions; not just the military.  Good leaders are present everywhere.  It just so happens that many people develop (or sometimes find) those skills to lead while on a deployment.

Response by SPC David Dunn made Feb 18 at 2014 3:07 AM

SPC David Dunn — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 03:07:10 -0500

I think deployment experience (if possible) should be a requirement prior to becoming an NCO. I think it is very important to have this experience because you will be in a leadership role over Soldiers that have previously or will soon deploy. How can you possibly prepare them for a scenario you have never been through. I have had some great NCO's that never deployed, but before I deployed they were the last people I would think to ask if I had a question pertaining to deployment.

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Feb 18 at 2014 6:54 AM

SSG Shawn M. — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 06:54:57 -0500

No I do not. My reasoning is while yes, some deployments can develop you into a great leader, not all do. The ones that do are where you are actually leading troops. Putting together Op Orders and actually carrying out missions. What about the "other" deployments though. I am currently deployed to Kuwait as an MP for a law and order mission and I feel like this is more like being states side than in Iraq or Afghanistan. Also some soldiers and NCO's have great leadership abilities they have just never gotten to deploy, no fault of their own.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Feb 18 at 2014 7:27 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 18 Feb 2014 19:27:02 -0500

I say define the word leadership and see if it is dependent upon the word deployment. All experiences have the potential to make leaders better than they were before them. But that all depends on how that leader performed during that experience. There are some NCO's who come back worse leaders than they were. There are some who are good leaders in theater and horrible in garrison and vice versa. I think its bad practice to generally assume that because someone has deployed that they are inherently a better leader than someone who has not.

Response by SSG Zachery Mitchell made Feb 19 at 2014 6:58 AM

SSG Zachery Mitchell — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 06:58:21 -0500

I think leaders come from all walks of life. I also think that every leader is different and has their own special traits that make them who they are. Some leaders have learned while deployed. Some have not. Some have lead while deployed. Some have not. I don't feel that not having a deployment makes you any less of a leader.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Feb 19 at 2014 10:58 AM

SSG Kevin McCulley — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 10:58:41 -0500

Being a deployed leader provides an opportunity for practical experience not available to garrison leaders. This doesn't mean a garrison leader is incompetent. Practicing theory is not the same as practicing experience. Theory, however, prepped us pretty damned well for Gulf War I.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2014 6:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Mar 2014 06:27:12 -0500

I do not think so. I have met NCOs who have deployed as both leaders and soldiers and cannot lead. I have met NCOs who have not deployed but are outstanding leaders. Leadership is based on the person and not always on the experience. While the experience of being deployed may help a soldier with knowledge based on their expereince, if they do not have the characteristics of a leader, that experience can be all for nothing. I do however feel that deployments can help a leader understand things better and can assist them in better understanding and in creating relevant training, although once again, if you weren't a leader to begin with, this aspect could be lost.