The definition of Leader Development is defined as the expansion of a person’s capacity to be effective in leadership roles and processes. We are preparing the next generations of leaders today by broadening their training, education, and military knowledge and transition to the civilian sector of life after retirement from the military. The following Programs and Pamphlets are set in place to assist Soldiers and Civilians in Leadership Development. The Army Leader Development Program (ALDP) is the Army’s formal process for introducing, developing, tracking, and approving leader development (LD) initiatives and programs.
The Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 350-58, Army Leader Development Program, was published on Mar. 8, 2013.This major revision includes a title change and all new content. It establishes procedures and methods for the ALDP and documents the management process, procedures, and methods for leader development initiatives such as the Army Profession, Structured/Guided Self-Development, Army Career Tracker, and the Army Green Pages. The Army will continue its regular quarterly battle-rhythm for the (ARMY LEADER DEVELOPMENT FORUM) ALDF.
The ALDF invitees include commanders and leader development stakeholders from across the Army who meet to critically examine LD initiatives and programs, discuss issues, and advise the (the Senior Responsible Official) SRO. An actor by name of Bill Murray once stated, “The Army needs leaders just as the foot needs a big toe”.
127 our experts are availableright now
Although this statement may seem awkward its true. It also true that leaders are an essential part of our Army’s physical makeup because without leaders there are not followers nor organization. The Army recognizes how important leaders are to our American Army and its success. Leaders/NCO’s within our ranks, who are in charge with the day-to-day activities of maintaining good order and discipline, generate readiness, conduct training, and ensure the health and welfare of their Soldiers.
The Army defines leader development as “the deliberate, continuous, and progressive process-founded in Army values-that grows Soldiers and Army Civilians into competent, committed professional leaders of character. And finally, we in fact in charge of developing all Soldiers and Civilians, and we are in charge of developing into our future leaders.
The Leader Requirements Model, what we expect leaders to “be, know and do” and the attributes and competencies which we should expect from all Army leaders, is clearly outlined in Army Doctrine Publication 6-22, Army Leadership and further clarified in its reference publication, Army Doctrine Reference Publication 6-22. These publications and Army Doctrine Reference Publication 1-0, The Army Profession clearly define what it means to be an Army Professional, a person of character who is both competent and committed to the Army Profession, fellow Army Professionals and our Nation.
By making the statement that we are charged with developing professionals we then answer the question of “who” we are charged with developing; we are charged with developing all members of the Profession of Arms (Soldiers) and all members of the Army Civilian Corps (Department of the Army Civilians). Therefore, our leader development programs and systems must be inclusive and meet the ends of developing competence, character and commitment. Our Army Leader Development Strategy states that “leader development is achieved through the life-long synthesis of training, education, and experiences acquired through opportunities in the operational, institutional, and self-development domains.”
It is quite clear from this statement that leader development is not the sole purview or responsibility of any one organization or entity. Each and every member of our profession has a shared responsibility to not only development him or herself but also to develop others. It is also clear from this statement that leader development does not occur periodically or sporadically throughout one’s career. It does not solely take place at a particular school, in a particular assignment or through one’s individual efforts. Leader development occurs throughout all of those examples and many, many more.
In conclusion the definition of Leader Development is defined as the expansion of a person’s capacity to be effective in leadership roles and processes. We are preparing the next generations of leaders today by broadening their training, education, and military knowledge and transition to the civilian sector of life after retirement from the military.
“The day the soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” Collin Powell
References
- STAND-TO! (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.army.mil/standto/archive_2013-04-15/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUQl-LtqxS8
- https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Journals/NCO-Journal/Archives/2017/October/Leader-Development/
- http://www.planetofsuccess.com/blog/2017/greatest-military-quotes/
