Accession Number:

ADA561068

Title:

Improving Mentorship and Leader Development in the US Army

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Cole, Jr, Andrew

Report Date:

2012-03-15

Pagination or Media Count:

30.0

Abstract:

Mentorship is a critical component of the greater function of developing leadership in the U.S. Army. Even though mentorship finds its origins in classical Greece, it has proven to have great utility in shaping the Army leadership of today. Even so, many senior Army leaders have stated that Army mentorship needs improvement. As the U.S. Army returns from 10 years of persistent conflict, the time for revitalizing leader development is now. There is a renewed vigor to catch up on those years when leader development played second fiddle to the generation and deployment of combat forces to Iraq and Afghanistan. This research paper defines mentorship, examines the historical roots of mentorship, describes a number of successful mentor-protege relationships and the phases of the mentorship process, and identifies the functions mentorship serves as a component of leader development in the Army. The paper provides a blueprint for action as the Army seeks to improve mentorship across the force.

Descriptors:

• *ARMY PERSONNEL
• *ARMY TRAINING
• *INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
• *LEADERSHIP TRAINING
• *MILITARY DOCTRINE
• *OFFICER PERSONNEL
• *PERSONNEL DEVELOPMENT
• ADVISORY ACTIVITIES
• COUNSELING
• HISTORY
• QUALIFICATIONS
• SCHOOLS
• SKILLS
• TEACHING METHODS

Subject Categories:

• Humanities and History
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Military Forces and Organizations

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE