Accession Number:

ADA026930

Title:

The Need for Meaningful Communications Between Senior Officers and the Young Generation in the US Army Reserve

Descriptive Note:

[Technical Report, Research Paper]

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Hazen, Alfred W.

Report Date:

1972-04-25

Pagination or Media Count:

20

Abstract:

The basic question is whether or not senior officers can communicate with the young generation in the US Army Reserve. The World War II and Korean war background of many senior officers in the reserve often places them in the position of believing that old systems, procedures, and reliance on enforcing regulations have proved to be best whereas, the young member with no wartime experience or a short period of active duty during the Viet Nam war believe that old methods should be discarded because they have not kept pace with the times. These two concepts tend to negate effective communications. Data was obtained through literature research, interviews with senior officers and young members in the reserve, and evaluation of material resulting from senior-junior officer discussions in 91st Division Training. Study of this material reveals that senior officers must be more viable in their approach to contemporary problems confronting them in their reserve units. Senior officers at all levels of command must communicate the need for a strong Army Reserve program. Young officers and enlisted men must be convinced that duty always connotes some degree of sacrifice which might not always be offset by available benefits.

Descriptors:

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

[A, Approved For Public Release]