Strategic Studies Institute

Military Professionalism Studies

Added February 08, 2012

Type: Monograph

Once Again, the Challenge to the U.S. Army During a Defense Reduction: To Remain a Military Profession. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

The exact shape of the recently initiated Department of Defense reductions and the defense strategy that our down-sized land forces are to execute in the future are only now becoming clear. How can the U.S. Army best meet these challenges?

Added December 16, 2011

Type: Letort Papers

Real Leadership and the U.S. Army: Overcoming a Failure of Imagination to Conduct Adaptive Work. Authored by Colonel John B. Richardson, IV.

This is a case study of a cavalry squadron struggling with operational adaptability. Through this struggle, the study provides a means for analyzing the complexity of organizational leadership in the contemporary security environment. The case study provides an example where hard fought lessons learned resulted in a more holistic approach to leadership, because the leader transcended that of simply being an authority figure, and instead, become a real leader who provided a safe and creative learning environment where the organization was able to tackle and solve complex problems.

Added July 08, 2011

Type: Monograph

The New Aztecs: Ritual and Restraint in Contemporary Western Military Operations. Authored by Dr. Zhivan Alach.

The Western way of war has come full circle. After centuries, indeed millennia, of evolution toward increased totality and brutality, it has turned back once again to the ritualistic and restrained methods of primitive warfare.

Added March 29, 2011

Type: Monograph

Resolving Ethical Challenges in an Era of Persistent Conflict. Authored by Colonel Tony Pfaff.

In this provocative monograph, COL Tony Pfaff argues that the challenges of combating irregular threats have fundamentally challenged the traditional “ethics of war,” and he offers a number of measures and policies that the Army must adopt if it is to not only successfully, but ethically, respond to these challenges.

Added March 28, 2011

Type: Op-Ed

Junior Leader Professional Development — Who Has the Time? Authored by Dr. Steven Metz.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the April 2011 newsletter.

Added March 10, 2011

Type: "Of Interest"

Profession of Arms Study Trust Review. Authored by COL (R) Charles D. Allen.

Since trust is the coin of the realm for an Army in a democratic society, it is important that as the Profession of Arms study proceeds that it includes a broad exploration of just what exactly the Army as profession means by the concept of trust.

Added September 10, 2010

Type: Letort Papers

An Army Transformed: The U.S. Army's Post-Vietnam Recovery and the Dynamics of Change in Military Organizations. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne C. Nielsen.

Drawing on the literature on military innovation and reform, the author examines an important case of military change: the transformation of the U.S. Army in the 2 decades preceding the Persian Gulf War of 1991. The findings of this study have significant implications for how the U.S. Army should think about implementing changes needed today to meet new strategic, economic, and technological challenges.

Added September 02, 2010

Type: Letort Papers

Is the Organizational Culture of the U.S. Army Congruent with the Professional Development of Its Senior Level Officer Corps? Authored by Dr. James G. Pierce.

In this study of the organizational culture of the U.S. Army, Dr. Pierce has reviewed a previously assumed but unverified connection between organizational culture and professional development. The study has uncovered a lack of congruence between the dominant type of organizational culture of the U.S. Army and the professional managerial/leadership skills of its senior level leaders. This observed lack of congruence may be inhibiting performance and unconsciously perpetuating a cycle of caution and an overreliance on stability and control. The data indicate that the U.S. Army is illustrative of an organization that emphasizes stability and control, and one that attempts to comprehend the ambiguity of the future through an unconscious reliance upon the successful solutions employed in the past.

Added July 20, 2010

Type: Monograph

Got Vision? Unity of Vision in Policy and Strategy: What It Is and Why We Need It. Authored by Dr. Anna Simons.

Having the right "who" to devise strategy is critical to success in counterinsurgency or any asymmetric, cross-cultural encounter. This monograph contends that if we do not get the "who" right, none of the "whats," in terms of what we do, matters.

Added May 05, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Employing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Historically, the U.S. Army has employed its officers to good effect, but is there need for improvement? Does its current assignments paradigm lead to optimal career satisfaction and productivity? Does it allow officers to develop the depth and breadth of talent the Army needs? Perhaps most importantly, does the Army really know enough about the officer talent it possesses, as well as the requirements for that talent?

Added March 29, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Developing Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

The U.S. Army is almost universally acknowledged as an organization that powerfully develops talent in areas such as leadership, teamwork behavior, work ethics, adaptability, fitness, and many others. Employers know that the Army invests substantially in its people, and that this investment translates directly into enhanced productivity. Despite this well-earned reputation, however, are the Army’s current officer development programs equal to tomorrow’s challenges? Does it suffer from a growing imbalance in talent supply versus demand? Perhaps most importantly, is there an effective relationship between its developmental and employment strategies?

Added February 19, 2010

Type: Monograph

Accessing Talent: The Foundation of a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Organizations often focus their recruiting efforts on high-payoff markets--how does the Army identify the right market in which to focus its officer accessions efforts? What role does education play in officer accessions? How does the Army identify and go about meeting its officer diversity requirements? Why is establishing the proper ratio between commissioning sources so important?

Added February 01, 2010

Type: Monograph

The Army Officers' Professional Ethic--Past, Present, and Future. Authored by Colonel Matthew Moten.

Do you think the Army officer corps needs a clear statement of its professional ethic? Colonel Matthew Moten does, and he has written it in one page. Join the debate.

Added January 15, 2010

Type: Monograph

Towards a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy for Success: Retaining Talent. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

Why have Army junior officer retention rates plummeted since 1983? Are the root causes truly understood? What are the long term consequences of failing to retain talented young officers? What steps has the Army taken to meet this challenge, and how effective have they been? What must the Army do to restore junior officer retention rates to previously healthy levels?

Added October 28, 2009

Type: Monograph

Schools for Strategy: Teaching Strategy for 21st Century Conflict. Authored by Dr. Colin S. Gray.

Education in strategy is feasible and important. Few would-be strategists are beyond improvement by some formal education. However, for such education to be well-directed, it needs to rest upon sound assumptions concerning the eternal nature yet ever shifting character, meaning, and function of strategy, and the range of behaviors required for effective strategic performance.

Added October 28, 2009

Type: Monograph

Talent: Implications for a U.S. Army Officer Corps Strategy. Authored by Colonel Casey Wardynski, Major David S. Lyle, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) Michael J. Colarusso.

What is the difference between competent and talented? What is talent, and which people have it? What talents should the United States Army seek in its officers? Most importantly, what are the consequences of failing to create an officer talent management system?

Added October 06, 2009

Type: Monograph

The Army's Professional Military Ethic in an Era of Persistent Conflict. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider, Major Paul Oh, Major Kevin Toner.

As the character of conflict in the 21st century evolves, the Army’s strength will continue to rest on our values, our ethos, and our people. Our Soldiers and leaders must remain true to these values as they operate in increasingly complex environments where moral-ethical failures can have strategic implications.

Added September 16, 2009

Type: Student (Carlisle) Papers

Baghdad ER--Revisited. Authored by Colonel Erin P Edgar.

The China Dragons of the 28th Combat Support Hospital deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from September 2006 until November 2007. Their service epitomizes the strides that have been made in military combat medicine.

Added January 13, 2009

Type: Op-Ed

The Army's Ethic Suffers under its Retired Generals. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the January 2009 newsletter.

Added August 08, 2008

Type: Monograph

The American Military Advisor: Dealing with Senior Foreign Officials in the Islamic World. Authored by Mr. Michael J. Metrinko.

Using different weapons and different skill sets, the military officer serving as an advisor can win--or lose--important battles. His relationship with foreign officials affects overall American strategy, and can translate into long-term victory for the United States.

Added July 15, 2008

Type: Colloquium Brief

Civil-Military Relations in a Post-9/11 World. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

The participants in this colloquium sought to examine three general areas: the roles and responsibilities of military leaders and changes in the relationship between civilian and military leaders. Experts from the military, government, and academia presented their not-for-attribution assessments and recommendations for further increasing U.S. effectiveness in civil-military relations.

Added February 19, 2008

Type: Monograph

Dissent and Strategic Leadership of the Military Professions. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

Were the actions in 2006 by the senior military leaders who participated in the “Revolt of the Generals” justified? Or were there real costs incurred by the military professions they represented, costs that can only be seen when examined in terms of the critical trust relationship that empower such professions?

Added January 04, 2008

Type: Op-Ed

Intrepidity . . . And Character Development within the Army Profession. Authored by Dr. Don M. Snider.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the January 2008 newsletter.

Added October 04, 2006

Type: Op-Ed

Fashion Tips for the Field Grade. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

Each month a member of the SSI faculty writes an editorial for our monthly newsletter. This is the Op-Ed for the October 2006 newsletter.

Added May 23, 2006

Type: Letort Papers

Strategic Planning by the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1990 TO 2005. Authored by Dr. Richard M. Meinhart.

This Letort Paper addresses how the Chairmen, Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1990 to 2005 used a strategic planning system to respond to their global challenges.

Added October 01, 2003

Type: Monograph

Army Professional Expertise and Jurisdictions. Authored by Colonel Richard A. Lacquement, Jr..

The most important purpose of this framework is to provide a mechanism for HOW TO THINK about Army expert knowledge and jurisdictions.

Added July 01, 2003

Type: Monograph

Why They Fight: Combat Motivation in the Iraq War. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong, COL Thomas A. Kolditz, LTC Raymond A. Millen, COL Terrence M. Potter.

Today's U.S. soldiers, much like soldiers of the past, fight for each other. Researchers also found that soldiers cited ideological reasons such as liberation, freedom, and democracy as important factors in combat motivation.

Added April 01, 2002

Type: Monograph

Stifled Innovation? Developing Tomorrow's Leaders Today. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

The author examines the current company commander experience and concludes that the Army values innovation in its rhetoric, but the reality is that junior officers are seldom given opportunities to be innovative in planning training; to make decisions; or to fail, learn, and try again.

Added April 01, 2001

Type: Book

Political Control over the Use of Force: A Clausewitzian Perspective. Authored by Lieutenant Colonel Suzanne C. Nielsen.

The author addresses the issues regarding the ideal relationship between the commander and the statesman in time of war and the balance between political control and military operational expertise by examining what Carl von Clausewitz has to say about civil- military relations and the use of force. She looks in depth at Clausewitz s arguments, reviews his theoretical approach, and discusses four key implications of the basic idea that political purposes govern war.

Added October 01, 2000

Type: Monograph

Generations Apart: Xers and Boomers in the Officer Corps. Authored by Dr. Leonard Wong.

The author points out that Generation X officers are more confident in their abilities, perceive loyalty differently, want more balance between work and family, and are not intimidated by rank.

Added December 01, 1999

Type: Book

Army Professionalism, the Military Ethic, and Officership in the 21st Century. Authored by Major John A. Nagl, Colonel Tony Pfaff, Dr. Don M. Snider.

The authors first describe the ethical, technical, and political components of military professionalism and then address the causes for the decline. They conclude by proposing a set of principles which, if adhered to, will reinvigorate the vision of the officer corps and motivate the corps to selfless service.