An Executive Position on Military Leadership

The post 911 military challenges threaten Army leadership. Traditional leadership that governed a cold war military has made current policies and practices detrimental to effective leadership and, therefore, demands change. This paper examines the shortfalls of United States Army leadership. A majority of information was obtained from a thorough literature review of books, articles, and peer review related articles pertaining to military leadership. Significant contributions also came from a review of current military doctrines and regulations that govern military leadership principles, processes, and the military decision making process. Additional information came from firsthand knowledge and experience as a military officer with over 16 years of military service. This research formulates several executive positions on military leadership. Furthermore, a cornerstone-contributing factor for all variables identified in this research connects in some fashion to Army values. This research reveals that military leaders at many levels operate in oxymoron to military values. This is an epithet to our soldiers in a time honored Army that is governed by values and ethics. A lack of values is a mockery of military leadership, the Uniform Code of Military Justices, and regulations that govern the United States Army. The strategies offered in this paper pursue improving the military processes for leadership and the actors and stakeholders who are responsible for effective leadership.