Introduction
Army leadership is an aspect that greatly influences the strength and capabilities of the military. Creating conditions for the productive command of personnel opens up the possibility of achieving high results of training. We view army leadership as a process that depends on several factors. Appropriate academic preparation, strategic planning, and training are valuable aspects. In the face of geopolitical tensions, these instruments help maintain order. The combination of critical thinking and professional skills contributes to establishing an effective leadership environment. This paper aims to describe the foundation of army leadership in terms of criteria like education, training, and strategic planning. We explain the importance of these components from different standpoints. They influence the formation of the image of a qualified army commander. Applying all the skills of interaction with military personnel is the key to achieving high leadership results.
Value of Education
Relevant academic background is one of the foundations of army leadership. According to Fust (2020), “rigorous advanced education is a bridge between strategic and operational leadership” (p. 108). To manage the military personnel of the armed forces, commanders are to have the necessary theoretical base. The knowledge gained allows navigating the operating environment better and considering all the conventions. In addition, we view the image of an army leader as a person with the necessary competencies. Theoretical education provides an opportunity to assess responsibilities and prevent risks and challenges. In addition, admission to the command of military personnel is impossible without academic training. Leaders need to apply the experience gained to control the operating environment and the well-being of their subordinates. Otherwise, the quality of command is low, and productivity drops. Thus, gaining theoretical knowledge is a prerequisite for qualified management in the military industry. At the same time, Fust (2020) emphasizes the value of combining individual components that shape the image of an army leader. The author states that education without practical training is meaningless (Fust, 2020). Therefore, we view practical skills as a significant aspect of army leadership.
Practical Training as a Foundation of Army Leadership
Honing army leadership skills is a must when interacting with military personnel. Simmons (2017) compares this work with athletic training due to hard and regular exercises. Daily and varied practical activities contribute to acquiring sustainable skills. In addition, Simmons (2017) lists various training categories that we associate with training. Army leadership aims to promote effective teamwork as an essential component. For military personnel, a commander is a role model that is an object to follow. Honing the necessary skills in practice helps avoid mistakes in the future. The acquired academic knowledge is meaningless if we do not reinforce it in a real operational environment. This work, as Simmons (2017) notes, includes physical exercises and mental skills training. In the context of constant interaction with military personnel, we evaluate these activities as critical in building leadership potential. Moreover, a practical algorithm stimulates the expansion of theoretical knowledge to optimize training. Our mechanisms of army leadership are demanding to self-develop continuously. A focus on different skills expands the range of leadership functions and capabilities. Therefore, we consider promoting practical training as a prerequisite for gaining critical skills and knowledge.
Strategic Planning Approach
Strategic planning is one of the important foundations of army leadership. Military personnel management skills require effective planning and applying relevant tactical decisions. Fust (2020) defines strategic leaders as competent individuals with an advanced theoretical and practical background. In a multitasking environment, planning is a significant aspect of control. Army leaders have to follow a clearly defined course of action. We value commanders who can organize the productive activities of military personnel. As Fust (2020) states, one of the main conditions for strategic leadership is to hone your critical thinking skills. This tool helps fulfill numerous crucial commanders’ obligations and complete assigned tasks timely. Risk assessment, the security of military personnel, and other missions are aspects of this work. Different tools may be applied to strengthen the skill of strategic planning. Simmons (2017) compares army leaders with athletes and mentions multiple stages of training. Abstract tasks to solve and real operational objectives to achieve allow preparing commanders comprehensively. Ignoring strategic planning, in turn, causes poor control and the ineffective implementation of competencies. Thus, the assessment of tasks to perform is a mandatory aspect of army leadership.
Conclusion
The foundations of army leadership include various skills to gain. Responsible commanders are to have a set of attainments to interact with military personnel. Academic education, physical training, and strategic planning are valuable foundations. Acquiring the necessary skills requires combining all of the aforementioned aspects. We define the value of leadership approaches in terms of different implications. The security of military personnel, the achievement of goals, and other objectives are valuable prospects. We apply different instruments to maintain a productive interaction environment. Combining all the foundations allows honing army leadership skills effectively and earning subordinates’ trust. Ignoring these conditions, conversely, entails mistakes and challenges in interaction with military personnel.
References
Fust, G. (2020). Key ingredient in army leader development: Graduate school. Military Review, 108-119.
Simmons, J. B. (2017). Army management styles and the similarities within athletics (Doctoral dissertation, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, NC). Web.