Educate or Train Leaders in the Army Essay Example

The purpose of this essay is to assess whether it is more effective to train or educate leaders. Does one provide superior result comparatively or is it a balance that is the question. Examination of this broad topic could undoubtedly improve the effectiveness of future programs.

Training leaders. Training is the tried-and-true approach to gaining hands-on experience. The soldier goes through each step meticulously for many iterations. Slowly developing muscle memory for a given task while instilling the steps within their person. It is not just careless movements; it is effectively performing the task over with maximum effort. A good example of a training environment is going out to the field.

Educating leaders. To educate an individual on any subject is to deepen their understanding of given topic. It is the why, and how that is pertinent. Most areas of study are dissected and broken down into easily digestible subcategories. The dissemination of information is typically in classroom environment such as BLC. It is understandable to assume both forms of instruction produce adequate results. An educated leader can apply their knowledge to maximize positive results. Determining the correct action based on the standards and guidelines. A soldier who has attended various informative courses may contain a wider knowledge base over subject matter. While an individual whose undergone rigorous training can apply “trial and error” knowledge to avoid unforeseen roadblocks. Not just trial and error, it is the having physically preformed that task. Ensiled with the performance within muscle memory will no doubt improve overall proficiency. A trained soldier will perform an action confidently and accurately unlike an untrained soldier.

Let us say a soldier has a malfunction within their weapon system. The educated leader would recommend preforming immediate action; however, the soldier does not know how. The leader would technically understand but would they be able to perform the action physically? They have seen it on paper and even demonstrated in person. The issues lie in the lack of proper hands-on training. Having never physically trained the weapon would be foreign in the soldiers' hands. A trained solider will perform immediate action flawlessly and provide instruction on how to preform it.

A leader whose had extensive training gets asked a technical question. The question is regarding the maximum pull weight of a LMTV. The soldier drives the LMTV every week having never been informed of the limitations of their vehicle. Pulling too much weight will permanently damage the equipment leading to mission disaster. A more informed soldier who has been educated on the LMTVs specifications could confidently answer.

The effectiveness of the available programs/trainings becomes detrimental to the growth of the Military as a whole. Training must be by the numbers to the standard within the training manuals. The moment the standard is deviated from is the moment training begins degeneration. An improperly trained soldier assumes they are preforming the function correctly. A confident solider with incorrect instruction will no doubt spread the substandard.

Instructors within the military educate soldiers on diverse topics within classroom environments. It is their job to disseminate information in an unbiased concise manner. The material can be dense and incomprehensible; it is their duty break down the complex subjects. It is imperative the instruction given, and information provided is adequate and factual. A classroom of opinions and ideas without concrete evidence is merely a club. Soldiers trust the information received is true and apply able. Education and training without proper instruction defeats the subject of this entire essay. The question of whether to train or educate leaders is held together by the instructor's ability to instruct. It is imperative to the success of future leaders.

While this essay has been a debate on the two topics. It is apparent that the balance between training and education is fine line that must be walked. A solider stronger in training methods is a technical question away from ignorance. Similarly, a soldier who has primarily attended informative courses is a physical task away from blunder. It is the duty of the commanders and senior leaders to ensure that balance is made, and the standards met.

To summarize, an overbearing strength in one aspect leads to weakness in another. It is the ability to apply learned and experienced information that makes a strong soldier. To be a leader is the ability to cover all aspects of life in the military without doubt. It is not a matter of which is most important, it is a matter of knowing when to apply the experience.