GEN (R) McChrystal's full of good ideas: should DoD and the USG pay attention?

2015-05-17T12:47:10-04:00

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/on-leadership/wp/2015/05/15/gen-stanley-mcchrystal-on-shaking-up-the-military/

GEN (R) McChrystal seemingly has an exhaustible list of "good" ideas, from national service to lateral entry into the military.

I actually like some of his ideas: national service, for one, has a multitude of benefits, especially the paid, voluntary version he espouses. But others, such as lateral entry into the DoD as general officers for CEOs, seem, bluntly, crazy. There's already a mechanism for lateral entry into DoD as a civilian, say, onto OSD civilian staff as one of the several dozen senior DoD civilians.

Thoughts?

Stanley McChrystal on how to shake up the military

The former top commander has some bold ideas for how the military could better attract, keep and let go those who serve.

Response by SGT Nia Chiaraluce made May 17 at 2015 12:51 PM

2015-05-17T12:51:12-04:00

Absolutely. I think all ranks and services have a lot to listen to and note from what he has said and presented as ideas and concerns.

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made May 17 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-05-17T13:27:09-04:00

Thanks for posting. He had some great insight. I'm hoping General McChrystal will come back in a couple of weeks to RallyPoint to answer more member questions, so you may get a chance to follow up with him on it.

His idea of a senior lateral transfer into the military (civilian into a senior military rank) is obviously highly unorthodox, but it's based on his combination of deep military experience now coupled with civilian experience. When I was on active duty, I would also say it was crazy. However, it takes one with both military and civilian experience to really have the full perspective of whether this idea has any legs to it at all. People who have only served in the military, due to no fault of their own, cannot have this broader perspective. I would therefore suggest for one to be more open to the dialogue on it, and to try to better understand why he would make such a recommendation before outright rejecting it.

Some of the best leaders in the civilian world also are quite young. We have elected a lot of Presidents to lead the free world in their 40s, but one cannot lead the Army until they are in their 50s. Some of the world's most successful CEOs are in their 30s, but if they were in the military then many of them would be doing relatively low level staff work. The military paradigm is not structured to handle these kinds of situations. As General McChrystal said, "The military does very well taking average people and making them very good leaders." -- I think implied in that is that the military doesn't do as good of a job of taking great people and making them into incredible leaders. Perhaps that is not something the military should be in the business of, but I think he does have a valid point. If the military absolutely wanted the best people in the world in its leadership positions, then some non-traditional ideas are fair to put on the table for discussion.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 17 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-05-17T15:30:42-04:00

We need a military veteran to run for Commander and Chief

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 8:34 PM

2015-05-17T20:34:43-04:00

The General is a smart man and I enjoyed reading his thoughts. I really thought it was interesting how he said careerism is present in orgs outside of the military. That comment about the civilian ceo thinking the military was efficient also cracked me up. I guess the grass is always greener. The part about direct commissioning as a GO did seem a little far fetched. I don't think anyone should come in at the top without learning the skills of the profession (read the soldier and the state by Samuel huntington). Faster promotions, increased permeability between the guard/reserves and active duty, and assignments to other government organizations and private industry are certainly things that should be considered though (read bleeding talent by tim kane). We already have the SES and the secretaries as civilian appointments. There are approximately 140 of those positions.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 11:51 PM

2015-05-17T23:51:20-04:00

the lateral entry from civilian industry sounds very interesting. I think a good way to partially implement something like that would be to put talented business leaders who are interested in serving into the Reserve Component. when their talents are needed they can simply be activated. Once commissioned they could be put on orders to get an orientation to the military. Their drill and annual training what consist of having them work together with military leaders in various commands where their talents would be useful to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 1:28 AM

2015-05-18T01:28:44-04:00

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member, thanks for sharing this video/interview! GEN Stanley McChrystal is very motivating and a great leader. When I read this interview his answers were quite simple but very insightful.

I think lateral transfer into the DOD is quite ingenious. We already do this to some extent with doctors and other specialties within the military. Why not do this for great leaders?

You stated that the military already has a mechanism for senior level leadership to laterally transfer into the DOD as civilians however I would disagree.

"But others, such as lateral entry into the DoD as general officers for CEOs, seem, bluntly, crazy. There's already a mechanism for lateral entry into DoD as a civilian, say, onto OSD civilian staff as one of the several dozen senior DoD civilians." - MAJ Private RallyPoint Member

Most senior level DOD positions, especially those in leadership or advisory roles, such as the OSD civilian staff or the most senior DOD leaders that you mentioned, are all likely retired military officers or have spent their whole career in the DOD. This defeats the purpose of what GEN (R) McChrystal is getting at. He is looking to find those top 5-10% leaders in the civilian sector who are great at organizational leadership and know how to effect change. Bringing retired officers onto your staff is just more of the same. It doesn't bring the outside expertise or perspective that could make our military that much better.

The Defense Secretary is promoting this same thought process by reaching out to Silicon Valley CEOs.

1. “We can’t have Industrial Age institutions in an age when young people need choice and flexibility. They want movement. They want mobility,” he said. “That’s why I’m so intent on increasing the permeability of the wall between the government and young people and the private sector.” - Ashton B. Carter (Secretary of Defense)

SECDEF and Silicon Valley Leaders: http://techcrunch.com/2015/04/23/defense-secretary-tries-to-thaw-relations-with-silicon-valley-opens-new-defense-innovation-unit-x/#.mzsr6s:X8Rp

2. "Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the military should build an internal social media platform that would transform the way jobs are assigned and how troops are evaluated.

The idea is emerging from corporate America, where some large organizations are spending millions of dollars to create their own Facebook-style systems that can have far-reaching effects on the way they do business every day." - Andrew Tilghman, Military Times Staff writer

Ideas emerging from Corporate America: http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/04/12/carter-social-media/25513773/

There is also a mention of RallyPoint in this article!

The ideas the SECDEF has proposed will take years to come to fruition however, once implemented, will fundamentally change the military we know today.

LTC Yinon Weiss Keep us posted on whether or not GEN (R) McChrystal will be back to answer more questions! I was a little late in posting my question this last time. I am currently reading his new book and am sure to have some more questions.

Carter: Toss vintage personnel systems

Defense Secretary Ash Carter says the military should build an internal social media platform that would transform the way jobs are assigned and how

Response by LTC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 18 at 2015 2:04 PM

2015-05-18T14:04:25-04:00

Thanks for posting this one. Great read! Very insightful!

I think that our USG is too bogged down as a bureaucracy to make some of the more radical changes that GEN McChrystal advocates. Like the lateral transfer into military service ideas. Which is too bad, because I think there is much value to be had in bringing in fresh ideas on how to fix our procurement processes and with Force Structure development.

It was very good insight that he shared concerning the perceptions of both the military and civilian organizational leaders towards each other. Something for us all to keep in mid. The Army (and military in general) is, after all, not comprised of rifles, tanks, howitzers, and aircraft. It is comprised of people who need good leaders, just like any other organization that is trying to get things done.

My impression, GEN McChrystal isn't done serving our country, keep an eye out for him in the future. At this point, he'd have my vote!