Adapting Leadership to Meet the Digital Future

2014-09-03T10:04:02-04:00

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?

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Sep 3 at 2014 10:29 AM

2014-09-03T10:29:53-04:00

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!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 1:01 PM

2014-09-03T13:01:43-04:00

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.

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Sep 3 at 2014 1:25 PM

2014-09-03T13:25:53-04:00

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!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 3 at 2014 5:26 PM

2014-09-03T17:26:13-04:00

I personally think that the Army relies WAY too much on technology. There are some uses for it, but if something happens to the point that the technology is obsolete, then we will be running around like a chicken with their head cut off. I would love to learn some of the "old school" ways so that way if such a incident should occur I will be better prepared.

Response by SCPO Ralph Hensley made Sep 3 at 2014 7:44 PM

2014-09-03T19:44:53-04:00

Adapt and overcome is a leadership quality. I too learned land nav with a map & compass. No Servicemember should go without the basics esp. given the opportunity for equipment to break or be out of date. From my use of Army online training, I find the training sites cumbersome and confusing. If the Army is actually ready to bring real time online training to Soldiers and DA Civilians, then DA should reconsider all the various software and training websites and morph all online training into one site using AKO as the means to obtain online training.

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Sep 3 at 2014 10:33 PM

2014-09-03T22:33:41-04:00

I think tech needs to be balanced with the core skills. We have all the technical skill and advantages, but there are times when things fail and you need to use old style methods. Tech is great but it shouldn't be the only focus of training.

Response by 1SG Dustin Springer made Sep 4 at 2014 9:58 AM

2014-09-04T09:58:26-04:00

Very well written MSG. As an instructor at WLC the first level of NCOES, I see it cycle after cycle. Soldiers cannot navigate by using a compass, protractor and map, so we take extra time to train them. We as NCO's rely on technology to get us from one place to another. You and I both know that technology goes down or malfunctions, so we need to stay trained and proficient in our basic skills. As far as counselings go, I have heard Soldiers getting them through email, what kind of example is one setting for that junior Soldier. If you ask me it is a poor one. NCO's make it happen!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2014 11:23 AM

2014-09-04T11:23:49-04:00

The system in the picture you have is of VBS2 or VBS3. That's a great maneuver rehearsal tool. That's all these are...tools. If you used a jackhammer to open a jar of peanut butter, you'd get some pretty messed up results. Use the right tool for the right job. Nothing new here. The Integrated Training Strategy (ITS) is mentioned time and again in guidance coming from FORSCOM, Corps and Division. We used to just call it training...but apparently someone needed a bullet on their OER. Three words in that "catch-phrase." Training: Pretty cut and dried there. Strategy: as in...there's an end state somewhere. Most likely a Culminating Training Event (or a CTE as we say in the biz). And finally...Integrated: meaning, using all of the tools in the Virtual, Constructive, Gaming and Live (VCG-L) environment to enable that training strategy. So. Let's say your strategy is to achieve a "T" in all METL tasks at the Company/Battery/Troop level and a majority of "T" in METL tasks at the Battalion/Squadron level prior to your CTE at the NTC in July of 2015...just a "for instance." Then you'd start with individual tasks. You'd do classes first, then move into a simulator like EST2000 to conduct rehearsals and orientation, and then head out to the range. Similarly, at the crew collective level, you'd do classes on gunnery and then head into the simulator on VBS2/3, the EST2000, the Reconfigurable Vehicle Tactical Trainer (RVTT), then conduct MILES gunnery for the crews and sections and finally head to the range to conduct live fire Table VI. Continue this progression using VBS2/3 for platoon virtual simulations using the same database terrain they will be training on in the field (they can load any terrain in the world). Then do PLT EXEVALs and Table XII. Company/Battery/Troop can use a mix of VBS2/3 (virtual simulation) and JCATS (constructive) integrated with a Battalion/Squadron JCATS driven CPX. Every piece of the ITS can be laid out in this fashion. It reduces risk and familiarizes Soldiers with the tasks to be performed prior to going out to the field. NOTHING replaces time spent in the field. NOTHING. That's not what it's about. Use the right tool for the right job. Train hard. It's what we do.